What Are You Willing to Sacrifice for Democracy?
Jackie Wu often asked herself this question when she worked at the Orange County California Registrar of Voters in 2020. She wrote this book to shed light on what happens behind the scenes to ensure elections are conducted securely, transparently, and with integrity.
On the Front Lines of Democracy starts on Election Day in March 2020, just as a mysterious pandemic began. During the election cycle, her team faced threats of violence and public and media scrutiny. Failure was not an option, since they had the weighty responsibility of protecting voters' rights and access to the ballot box.
Home to the United States' fifth largest voting jurisdiction, Orange County election officials were confronted with unprecedented crises in 2020, including:
Wildfires that threatened voting access.Fake voting locations and ballot drop boxes.Protests at election offices.Active shooter and bomb threats.Unrelenting pressure from political parties, candidates, and campaigns.The threat of contracting COVID-19 and fear of passing it on.
Jackie's compelling account reveals the intense challenges election officials throughout the country face in these polarized times. Their diligence and commitment to public service ensure that our nation, voting rights, and democracy are preserved for future generations.
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"On the Front Lines of Democracy presents a month-by-month survey of events in 2020 America that melds insights into Jackie Wu's life with observations of voting rights. While its focus is on what it's like to be an election official overseeing this right to vote, Wu even more importantly documents the daily struggles for preserving rights that have been eroded in other countries. The personal touch throughout lends a sense of drama to this story. Very highly recommended for libraries, for readers interested in insights about democracy, and for book clubs."
- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
