Onondaga County Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny was among numerous officials from across the country who converged on Washington, D.C. this week to discuss election worker protections and federal funding. The issues are among their top concerns heading into the 2024 presidential election.
Czarny traveled to Washington on behalf of the bi-partisan group called Issue One and its Faces of Democracy campaign. He says they had the ears of congressional leaders, White House staff, as well as Department of Justice and Homeland Security officials.
“We believe that many of the members heard us, and they were especially receptive to passing protections against retaliation and threats," Czarny said.
Threats against election commissioners and workers have soared amid a divided electorate. Czarny shares an example that came up at one meeting.
“We had some commissioners that were afraid to go to their nephew’s baseball games because people in their community were targeting them just for the crime of counting the votes, like they should," he relayed.
Czarny feels protective measures will be taken up quickly. A taller order, however, might be federal funding of elections. Czarny says the commissioners advocated for more than just a big infusion of cash.
“We need consistent funding each and every federal election and maybe even every election, because the federal government should be an equal partner in funding elections," he said. "Not just rely on the state and local governments to fund it all.”
Czarny says relying less on local and state funding can help eliminate political interference. He hopes federal funds can be allocated this year to prepare for what’s likely to be an intense 2024 election.
