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Safety is becoming a central issue in the upcoming US elections, for both election workers and voters as the race for the White House intensifies ahead of the November 5th vote.
Kris Burlingame, an election volunteer in Alma Center, Wisconsin, highlighted such concerns when, during a routine test of voting machines, she encountered a belligerent resident questioning the integrity of the equipment, citing debunked conspiracy theories about voting machines altering results. Though the man eventually left without further incident, the episode highlighted the mounting tension surrounding election processes across the country.
“It made me nervous. I wasn't afraid… but it did make me stop and think, what is the election going to be like? Are we going to have more of this?”, said Burlingame.
Experts warn that such confrontations are becoming more frequent in rural and urban areas alike, reflecting the increasingly polarized nature of the American electorate. In response, election officials are ramping up security efforts to protect poll workers from potential threats as the November 5th election approaches.
Rise in threats
The importance of ensuring a safe environment for election workers is vital, given the rise in threats, intimidation, and harassment targeting those involved in election administration since the contentious 2020 presidential race.
A recent survey by the Brennan Center for Justice found that 38% of local election officials have faced harassment or threats, with many voicing concern for their colleagues' safety.
The situation has been exacerbated by misinformation and conspiracy theories about the integrity of the US election system, perpetuated chiefly by former President Donald Trump. The backlash culminated in the violent attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and continues to trouble election officials.
Election workers, like Burlingame, are now on the front lines of a much more volatile voting process. As Wisconsin braces for another high-stakes election, officials have implemented measures aimed at safeguarding workers and voters.
The state, a key battleground in the 2020 election, saw Joe Biden defeat Trump by less than 21,000 votes. Now, election workers are being trained not only to handle routine electoral procedures but also to prepare for potential violence or intimidation at polling places.
Melissa Kono, an elected clerk in Burnside, Wisconsin, who oversees training for volunteer poll workers, has included new content in her sessions to address these concerns.
"I'm worried for the clerks and election workers," she said, adding that scenarios like active shooter situations, once unthinkable, are now part of the discussion. Emergency contact lists are distributed to poll workers, and they are briefed on how to handle possible threats.
Threats against election workers
Security concerns extend beyond Wisconsin, as similar reports have emerged nationwide. In 2021, the US Department of Justice formed a task force to investigate threats against election workers, but only a small number of cases have resulted in criminal charges. According to experts, the presence of law enforcement and new security protocols like panic buttons and bullet-resistant glass have become more common at polling places in recent years.
Political violence remains a possibility, with Donald Trump himself narrowly escaping assassination attempts in Pennsylvania and Florida earlier this year. Election officials fear that continued misinformation and escalating threats could undermine the electoral process and jeopardize the safety of those administering it.
Election security is more than just a workplace safety issue—it is a cornerstone of US democracy. Without safe, secure environments for both workers and voters, the integrity of elections is at risk.
As conspiracy theories and doubts about election legitimacy persist, the safety of election workers has become a vital concern. Their ability to perform their duties without fear of harassment or violence is critical to ensuring the smooth functioning of elections, requiring continued vigilance and robust safety protocols
