Be kind to Maryland’s primary election workers today | STAFF COMMENTARY

Today is the 2024 Presidential Primary Election Day in Maryland and prospective voters have a lot to think about. Democrats and Republicans will cast a ballot for president (as well as delegates to their respective national conventions), of course. But there are also members of the U.S. House of Representatives to choose, state judges to approve (at least in certain counties), and a potentially historic U.S. Senate race to sort through. Voters in Baltimore face a long list of candidates for mayor, City Council and City Council president.

But there’s one more item we would humbly recommend that in-person voters put on their to-do list this day: Be kind to an election worker.

It takes an army of them to staff Maryland’s polling centers from Garrett to Worcester counties. They are the thousands of folks who greet and check in voters, provide directions, answer questions and monitor what’s happening. Many start their day before polls open at 7 a.m. and work well past closing at 8 p.m. It requires training, people skills and even a bit of physical effort to move heavy boxes of ballots around. Yet that’s hardly the worst part of working the polls.

What is? That’s easy. That would be the death threats.

Since Donald Trump baselessly disputed his presidential loss in the 2020 race, causing his followers to attack the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, there has been a campaign of intimidation toward election workers. A recent Brennen Center for Justice poll found 45% of election officials fear for their safety. It’s no wonder: They have faced death threats, online harassment and abuse. Last year, the Maryland General Assembly mandated higher pay for election judges — up to $250 for those who have worked elections previously — in order to retain workers who are so vital to running polling centers.

Local and state election boards can take needed precautions to make sure workers remain safe. But wouldn’t it be great if all of us took a minute just to, at least in some small way, convey our support for these frontline employees? A thank-you for their efforts? It’s no big stretch to suggest that preserving democracy requires no less. Just as we have an obligation to vote, we might also recognize our duty to support those who make voting possible. It’s a thankless job, but it shouldn’t be.

Baltimore Sun editorial writers offer opinions and analysis on news and issues relevant to readers. They operate separately from the newsroom.