By Karen Hoopes | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
Let’s start with the basic fact: Adams County is reportedly about 200 workers short. That is a serious problem. But it is a management problem, and management problems require facts, urgency and a plan.
Clerk and Recorder Josh Zygielbaum says fear is keeping experienced workers from returning. Fear may be one factor. But before that becomes the explanation, voters deserve to see the evidence.
How many former workers were contacted? How many actually said fear was the reason? When did recruiting begin? What did they say about pay, schedules, training or the hiring process?
Those questions matter because the diagnosis determines the solution. If workers are concerned about safety, give them clear information and reasonable protection. If the problem is pay, hours or a slow application process, fix those things. Simply saying people are afraid does not fill 200 positions.
Of course, real threats must be taken seriously. Election workers deserve a safe workplace. But strong leadership prepares people without frightening them. There is a difference between sensible security and repeatedly putting the worst possible scenario in front of the public.
In 2022, the clerk discussed wearing body armor, and his office sounded an alarm over a powdery substance sent with a ballot. Testing later found it was not harmful.
Now we are again being told that fear is driving the problem. That message can have consequences. It may discourage people from serving. It can also condition voters to expect late election-night reporting.
I am not claiming that is the clerk’s intent. I am saying the effect matters.
A staffing shortage should not become an explanation for delay before every reasonable recruiting and contingency step has been taken. Voters should be told what the county expects to report on election night, how many trained workers are needed and exactly how the office plans to close the gap.
Colorado’s election-night results are unofficial. Ballots are lawfully processed after Election Day, including ballots involving signature cures. But counties can begin processing ballots before Election Day and start releasing results after the polls close. Accuracy comes first, but good planning supports both accuracy and timely reporting.
Here is what I would do now.
Launch a “200 Workers in Seven Days” effort. Personally call experienced former workers and ask why they have not returned. Hold fast-track hiring sessions during evenings and weekends. Recruit through the Adams County Workforce and Business Center, schools, colleges, veterans’ groups, senior organizations, civic groups and both major political parties’ election-judge lists.
Then compare Adams County’s compensation with neighboring counties and seek approval for competitive pay or completion incentives if needed.
Publish the staffing numbers every day so the public can see the progress: how many people applied, how many were accepted, how many completed training and how many are actually scheduled.
Two hundred names on a list are not enough. The office needs trained people in the right jobs at the right times: ballot processing, signature verification, voter service centers, ballot reception and transportation.
This is solvable. Adams County needs urgency, accountability, measurable results and good leadership, not excuses.
Voters do not need an explanation for why avoidable delays might happen. They need a clerk with a plan to keep them from happening.
Karen Hoopes is the candidate for Adams County Clerk and Recorder. She has more than 20 years of executive and consulting experience in business transformation, organizational development and continuous process improvement. She previously served on the Mapleton Public Schools Board of Education.
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