As first reported by Picon Press last night and now confirmed by Washoe County, our interim registrar of voters Cari-Ann Burgess is on a leave of absence just a few weeks before early voting starts on October 19th.
The county issued a statement indicating: “This week, interim Registrar of Voters, Cari-Ann Burgess, expressed to County Manager [Eric] Brown that she was experiencing stress related health issues. At his recommendation, she has requested a leave of absence for self-care. We are committed to the health and well-being of Ms. Burgess and running a smooth and fair election is a top priority for the County. The Registrar of Voter's office is prepared and confident for the upcoming Election in November.”
There has been repeated turnover in the top county election position, as well as in terms of staffing, since former registrar Deanna Spikula stepped down in 2022, and Jamie Rodriguez then resigned from the same role in January 2024. Burgess was first appointed deputy director in late 2023, before getting the interim tag in January of this year following a 3-2 Washoe County Commissioner vote.
Mailers received in recent days by local voters asking for signatures and digits of Social Security or Date of Births to be sent back on cards without envelopes were criticized as being unclear and poorly explained. Election officials have also attracted the ire of local voters in recent election cycles with missing names on sample ballots and imprecise voter rolls, as well as slow vote counting.
Washoe County is a swing county in one of the few swing states on the US electoral map with a tight race here between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump.
Last night, Picon Press posted a text message it received anonymously (on right) indicating Burgess was meeting with HR to discuss taking leave.
