Election Officials Discuss Threats and Challenges in Arizona and Kansas

The recent political climate in the United States has brought about heightened pressures on local election officials, particularly in the states of Arizona and Kansas. Two top election officials from these states, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, recently sat down with CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett on “The Takeout” podcast to discuss these challenges and the threats they have faced.

During the conversation, recorded on February 6, 2024, the secretaries weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding former President Donald Trump’s eligibility to appear on the ballot in the upcoming primary elections. While Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab expressed his reluctance to arbitrarily remove Trump from the ballot without a criminal conviction, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes argued that the law does not require such a conviction for disqualification.

Fontes also shared concerns about the escalating discontent and spread of misinformation, which has led to conspiracy theories and direct threats against election officials. He revealed that one clerk in Arizona had her dogs poisoned as a means of intimidation, and his own family had been threatened. Fontes emphasized that these actions were destroying the civic faith that citizens should be able to share across party lines.

Schwab acknowledged the increased threats in Kansas, sharing a story about a county clerk who received a phone call from someone claiming to be parked outside her elderly parents’ home. Despite the small size of the county, he questioned the motivation behind such threats, stating, “I mean, who’s going to do a presidential fraud election in a county of 5,000?”

Both secretaries agreed on the need for increased urgency from the Department of Justice in investigating and prosecuting individuals involved in harassing election officials. Fontes considered these actions to be domestic terrorism, as they aimed to reach a political end through violence or intimidation.

Schwab also observed that election denialism has become an industry, with individuals profiting from spreading conspiracy theories and misinformation. He mentioned Douglas Frank, a prominent election conspiracy theorist, and noted that the profit motive has shifted from election lawyers to those who can generate clicks on YouTube or other platforms.

Fontes maintained that election officials are entering the field with a clear understanding of the heightened pressures in the current environment. He asserted that they are dedicated to making sure that democracy works, not just for Arizona but for the rest of the country.

The conversation between Major Garrett, Adrian Fontes, and Scott Schwab provides valuable insights into the challenges and threats faced by election officials in Arizona and Kansas. Their discussion highlights the importance of maintaining civic faith and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process in the face of misinformation and intimidation.

Listen to this show on ART19

Executive producer: Arden Farhi

Producers: Jamie Benson, Jacob Rosen, Sara Cook, and Eleanor Watson

CBSN Production: Eric Soussanin

Show email: TakeoutPodcast@cbsnews.com

Twitter: @TakeoutPodcast

Instagram: @TakeoutPodcast

Facebook: Facebook.com/TakeoutPodcast

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First published on February 9, 2024 / 1:35 PM EST

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