This was a very well written book with engaging stories of all things elections. As someone new to the world of elections and experiencing a steep learning curve, I found this book to be on point. I never really thought about all it takes to run an election and how stressful this line of work…
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“A must read for everyone who wants to understand how elections work”
With so much misinformation and fake news out there regarding elections, this book is a must-read for everyone, and especially folks in election administration, public office, candidates, advocates, policy wonks, election geeks and members of the media in particular, who often get the details wrong. I have spent my entire career in the field of…
“Fast read”
“A timely look at the voting process. This fast read gave me valuable insight on how elections work. Bipartisan directors and workers at the St. Louis County Election board gave the author unprecedented access to show how they support 750,000 voters. The author includes problems at polling places across the country and reasons why mail-in…
“This book was an education.”
I’ve been voting for years and never knew that election administration varies from state to state. My own community staffs three voting locations, each requiring fifteen to twenty volunteers to handle an election day that runs from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. All with a single ballot. I can’t even imagine the headaches involved in…
“A real treat.”
Election Insiders is a real treat. It’s not just a fascinating peek behind the curtain of the election machine. It’s also a wonderful lesson in how everyday people come together to master a very complicated and sometimes troublesome process. The writing style is bright and engaging. There are plenty of humorous anecdotes to please the…
“An easy read. More like a novel.”
Election Insiders would appeal to anyone who ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes. It captures the essence of our operation.” –Julie Leicht, Deputy Director, St. Louis County Board of Elections
“Thorough and engaging”
‘This book is a thorough and engaging look at the complexity of running elections. I wish all voters would read it.” –Rick Stream, Republican Director of Elections, St. Louis County, Missouri
“Eye opening”
“A terrific investigative account of how elections really work at the local level. In a state where voter suppression continues to be a policy focus of the GOP super-majority legislature, it is eye-opening to learn how votes really count.” –Stacey Newman, former ranking Democratic member, Missouri House Elections Committee
“Essential for anyone who cares about politics”
“Gloria Bilchik makes a strong case for paying more attention to what happens behind the scenes when America votes. This work gives often unacknowledged ‘democracy defenders’ the spotlight they deserve. Essential for anyone who cares about politics.” –John P. Messmer, PhD, professor of political science, St. Louis Community College – Meramec
“Indispensable for all election junkies and voters.”
“This inside look at how voting works (and sometimes doesn’t) explains the processes and mechanics of what really happens when you cast your ballot. A very timely, thoroughly researched, reader-friendly—and surprisingly reassuring—guide, Bilchik’s book is indispensable for all election junkies and voters.” –Michael Robbins, historian and author of Lest We Forget: The Great War