Members of American political parties oppose each other as a matter of course. Casual observers might assume that those who threaten election officials target members of a different party, but election administrators know that these threats are often intraparty. Extremists, fueled by lies of stolen elections, harass election officials of any party, including moderate and even conservative Republican election officials in solidly red areas.

These extremists have a singular ire for Republican election officials who defend established election administration policies, demonstrate that elections are fair and transparent, and push back on misinformation. The recent New York Times coverage of some Trump supporters’ sustained accusations against and attempted recall of a 20-year GOP county clerk in Nevada illuminates the problem. Esmeralda County’s Cindy Elgan told the NYT, “Some days, I drive home after work, and I wonder why I’m still doing this.” She persists because she “believes in [her] bones that we have to protect the integrity of our process.”

Elgan is one of many Republican officials facing backlash for defending elections. In January, Vox covered the years-long harassment of Maricopa County, AZ Recorder Stephen Richer, a Republican who has pushed back on election misinformation, by members of his own party. In late June, the Maricopa County GOP Vice-Chair said that she “would lynch” Richer because he does not share her beliefs, drawing laughter from her audience.

EOLDN’s request files echo these experiences. We have received requests for pro bono legal assistance from election officials of all parties and none, who are targeted by extremists. We urge abused election workers to consider submitting a request for legal assistance, and we welcome attorneys and law firms who want to give legal guidance and advice to election officials, regardless of party.