Jackie Wu often asked herself this question when she worked at the Orange County California Registrar of Voters in 2020. She wrote this book to shed light on what happens behind the scenes to ensure elections are conducted securely, transparently, and with integrity. On the Front Lines of Democracy starts on Election Day in March 2020, just as a mysterious pandemic began. Jackie’s team faced increasing threats of violence and public and media scrutiny. Failure was not an option, since they had the weighty responsibility of protecting voters’ rights. Home to the U.S.’s fifth largest voting jurisdiction, Orange County election officials dealt with unprecedented crises in 2020, including: • Wildfires that threatened voting access. • Fake voting locations and ballot drop boxes. • Protests at election offices. • Active shooter and bomb threats. • The threat of contracting COVID-19 and fear of passing it on. Jackie reveals the intense challenges election officials face in these polarized times. Their diligence and commitment to public service help preserve our nation’s voting rights and democracy for future generations.