The Gatekeepers of Democracy

by Exhibiting Author Bill Lewers

The Gatekeepers of Democracy series came about because I wanted to read a book. A book that it turned out, did not exist.

For over two decades, I have served as an election officer in Fairfax County, Virginia and have seen a lot of human drama take place at the polls, things that could easily be woven into a novel. Surely someone must have done exactly that. A day at the polls as seen through the eyes of the election officers. With so many political books out there, it seemed like a natural. A search of the literature however, failed to uncover even a single fictional title about election officers.

Then I remembers the admonition,

“If you can’t find the book you want on the shelf, write it yourself.”

It was then that I decided to write the book that I wanted to read. The result is The Gatekeepers of Democracy, which was written to celebrate the women and men who serve as election officers. Its tone is “political”, but not “partisan.”

The two protagonists who serve as chief election officer and assistant chief have different political persuasions, temperaments, and priorities. Somehow they must overcome their differences and provide a positive voting experience for the citizens of their precinct. Many of the challenges they face were inspired by things I have witnessed in my years of service.

Response to Gatekeepers from both inside and outside the election community was so positive that I decided that the subject matter deserved a whole series. Book two, November Third, was published last fall and delves even deeper into the world of elections.

In these times of political acrimony, the writing of the Gatekeepers of Democracy series has helped remind me that there are thousands of women and men throughout our nation who continue who serve on Election Day so that we that we may freely and fairly choose our leaders. And this is something we all can feel good about.