The Daily

Running an Election in the Heart of Election Denialism

Oct 24, 2022

Stephen Richer, Recorder of Maricopa County in Arizona, shares his insights on overseeing elections amid widespread election denialism. He discusses the harassment faced by election workers and the personal toll of navigating political hostility. Richer reflects on the challenges of maintaining election integrity amidst misinformation and increased scrutiny. He reveals the emotional strain of managing election logistics while grappling with moral dilemmas as a lifelong Republican. The conversation highlights the implications of these issues for democracy in a polarized political climate.

49:14

Creator website

Episode guests

Stephen Richer

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Election Oversight in Turbulent Times

17min

Navigating Political Hostility and Personal Retreat

2min

Election Oversight Under Siege

11min

The Rise of Election Denialism in Arizona Politics

5min

Navigating Election Denialism

9min

Navigating the Strain of Election Oversight

3min

Harassment and Political Turbulence in Elections

4min

This episode contains strong language.

Hundreds of candidates on the ballot in November still deny that President Biden won in 2020 — a level of denialism that is fueling harassment and threats toward election workers.

Few have experienced those attacks as viscerally as election workers in Arizona. Today, we speak with the top election official in the state’s largest county.

Guest: Stephen Richer, the recorder of Maricopa County in Arizona.

Background reading:

Election officials are on alert as voting begins for midterm elections, the biggest test of the American election system since former President Donald J. Trump’s lies about the 2020 results launched an assault on the democratic process.
Over 370 Republican candidates have cast doubt on the 2020 election despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, according to a New York Times investigation.

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