Amidst the anticipation of the upcoming 2024 election, the aftermath of the 2020 election continues to haunt elections officials across the nation. The aftermath has taken a toll on these officials, leading to an increasing number of them stepping down due to threats and harassment from far-right conspiracy theorists and election deniers. One such individual, Lisa Mara, who served as the director of elections in Arizona's Cochise County for six years, was forced to leave her position after enduring relentless skepticism and threats.
Mara, a lifelong Republican, decided to quit her job last year as she could no longer tolerate the intimidation and threats she faced on a daily basis. The situation became so dire that the office had to hire armed security personnel to ensure the safety of the ballot processing staff, who feared physical harm and the potential theft of ballots. Following Mara's departure, Bob Bartlesmeyer took over as her successor.
