A concerning trend of election worker resignations and retirements is raising alarms regarding the state of the nation's election system in preparation for the upcoming 2024 presidential contest, according to voting rights groups and state election chiefs.

The increase in departures comes as election officials continue to face threats, harassment, and partisan interference, initially fueled by baseless claims of a stolen White House election in 2020.

A regional case study by nonprofit watchdog group Issue One reveals that more than 160 top local election officials have left their positions across 11 Western states since November 2020. The analysis also found that the counties with new election chiefs experienced a significant drop in experience levels, from an average of eight years to just one.

In Arizona, a battleground state that gained prominence due to election falsehoods after Joe Biden won by a small margin, 12 out of the 15 county election chiefs have departed since the 2020 election. One official even faced the disturbing act of having their dogs poisoned as a means of intimidation, according to Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat.

Pennsylvania, another key state in presidential elections, witnessed the departure of nearly 70 county election directors or assistant directors in at least 40 out of its 67 counties since January 2020, according to Republican Al Schmidt, the state's appointed elections chief.

The loss of experienced election officials has sparked concerns of a national emergency, with Nick Penniman, CEO of Issue One, stating that if a private-sector company experienced such quick and substantial losses, they would likely go bankrupt.

Threats and harassment against election officials became increasingly prevalent following false claims made by Donald Trump about a stolen election. Schmidt, who previously oversaw elections in Philadelphia, faced threats against himself and his family members.

During a recent congressional hearing, Schmidt emphasized the continued contentious environment around election administration. He expressed concerns that less experienced officials may be more prone to making errors when faced with perceived malicious intent.

The security concerns related to election administration are not limited to swing states; even regions far from the spotlight have reported similar issues. Julie Wise, the election director for King County, Washington, received a letter containing threats of violence and the mention of a dangerous substance. Such direct mentions of violence are alarming for public employees, according to Wise.

The US Justice Department has taken action against at least 14 individuals following the creation of a task force to address threats against election workers. Moreover, 11 states have passed laws since 2020 to provide new protections for election officials and poll workers.

However, election watchdogs argue that additional measures are necessary. They are calling for an increase in federal funding and an extension of federal laws that protect election officials' information. President Biden's proposed fiscal 2024 budget includes $1.6 billion in federal election grants, but Congress is unlikely to approve the full amount.

Congressional leaders have advanced a bill that designates $75 million for election security grants, a fraction of the proposed amount. Groups like Issue One are lobbying for more significant funding to address the neglect of election systems and the abuse suffered by election workers.

In addition to these challenges, legislators in several states are attempting to gain more control over election administration ahead of the 2024 elections. For instance, the Republican-controlled Wisconsin state Senate voted to fire the state's top elections administrator, Meagan Wolfe, while North Carolina GOP lawmakers have changed the makeup of local and state election boards, diminishing the governor's party's influence.

The national exodus of election administrators has also affected North Carolina, with 53 out of 100 chief county election officials leaving their positions since January 2019, according to Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections.

The resignation trend, coupled with ongoing threats and partisan interference, is raising concerns about the stability and integrity of the nation's election system as the 2024 presidential contest approaches. It underscores the need for enhanced protection, funding, and support for election officials to ensure a fair and secure democratic process.