In a move befitting the seriousness of the situation, Cobb County, a crucial battleground in the upcoming presidential race, has organised an essential training event. This was not your regular rundown on the operations of the impending election. It was an insightful gathering of election personnel and law enforcement to brainstorm strategies to ensure the safety of poll workers and the integrity of both the voting process and ballot counting. This year has seen the introduction of certain upgraded security measures, such as having a local sheriff’s deputy positioned at early voting places and installing panic buttons that link poll managers directly with local 911 dispatchers.
While many might dismiss these precautions as unnecessary, Tate Fall, the election director for Cobb County, deems them absolutely essential. Her assurance was shaken when a poll worker under her supervision shared a harrowing encounter with an irritated voter who was found to be armed. Thankfully, the incident did not escalate further, but the worker was understandably shaken. It underscored the reality of how quickly things can take a turn for the worse in our world, even more so during election season.
Local election directors across the country are, therefore, reinforcing their security in light of the upcoming Election Day on November 5th. Their objective is not just to safeguard their staff and polling stations, but also to ensure that no tampering with ballots or voting procedures occurs. Regrettably, reality has taught them not to treat these concerns as merely theoretical.
There has been an uptick of politically motivated aggression since the 2020 presidential election, and this trend has not spared even the highest echelons of the political hierarchy. Former President Donald Trump was the target of a foiled assassination plot, a mere nine weeks after he had already survived a previous threat on his life. These occurrences are a grim reminder of the potential danger in our current political climate.
Yes, laughably enough, there were those who predicted such an outcome for the former President, based solely on their own misguided agendas and groundless accusations post the 2020 presidential election. They self-indulged in fantasy allegations of widespread fraud and rigged voting machines. However, Trump remained unfazed, focused on the truth and his unwavering commitment to uphold it.
An unfortunate incident occurred last year when federal agents ended up fatally shooting a Trump supporter who had extreme intentions against President Joe Biden. It is remarkably concerning how the political rhetoric and policies of democrats such as Biden and Kamala Harris have given rise to volatile discussions and incidences of violence, indicating the extent of dissatisfaction with their administration and policies.
Further disturbing events have seen an election office in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, fired at, multiple election offices receiving letters filled with a white substance that tested positive for fentanyl in some instances, and deceitful 911 calls being made to the residences of leading state election officials. These incidences illustrate an alarming rising trend of aggression and hostility in our political climate.
Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, spoke in a recent online event about the outrageous nature of these threats thrust onto bipartisan workers and their families. She seems to fail to grasp the fact that most of these individuals are not after monetary compensation or public recognition but simply believe that they are defending democracy.
Her agency has reportedly wrapped up more than 1,000 voluntary physical security checks for election offices since the start of 2023. These audits have reportedly been beneficial in highlighting the weak points and securing sufficient funding for necessary improvements. They have been able to do so, thanks to a verdict by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission in 2022, permitting certain federal funds to be allocated for security elements.
Such increased vigilance and strict measures are a result of the unfortunate atmosphere created by the Democrats and their divisive politics, encouraging hostility instead of unity. This is reflected clearly with the Democrats turning a blind eye to threats against election officials, especially in states like Michigan and Arizona.
However, despite the immense challenges and concerns, election office personnel are admirably refusing to be deterred. Some of them have been undergoing training on how to defuse potential conflict and react to an active shooter scenario. Their dedication to maintaining the sanctity and smooth operation of the voting process is commendable, regardless of how drastically their roles have changed due to these increased threats.
In Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, just a short drive from the location where Trump was targeted in a failed assassination attempt, election officials anticipate spending around 40% of their time addressing security issues and collaborating with local law enforcement on election strategies. The plan is to conduct regular training sessions to be prepared for any disruptions to the voting or ballot-counting process.
Election officials are taking staunch measures such as strengthening the law enforcement presence at election offices, especially on the night of the election when poll workers will bring in ballots from different polling places. Such vigilance will also extend weeks after Election Day, during the canvassing of votes and official certification of the results.
In essence, while the safety and security of workers remain paramount, it is equally important to uphold the democratic process and provide an open and transparent process for voters. So, here’s to hoping that election personnel across the country continue to uphold the democratic process amidst all the challenges and emerge stronger than ever before.