A new Brennan Center survey of local election officials reveals that the vast majority have taken steps since 2020 to protect voters, election workers, and election infrastructure from threats and violence in 2024. The enhanced security measures come as large numbers of election officials report having experienced threats, abuse, or harassment for doing their jobs. They also shared ongoing concerns about both the safety of their staff and colleagues, as well as the possibility of political interference in the upcoming election.
The often complex, technical work of administering elections used to occur largely behind the scenes. However, since 2020, election officials have been thrust into the spotlight amid a campaign to undermine faith in American democracy, scapegoated for election outcomes that some politicians and voters do not like. As they perform crucial work under these challenging conditions, election officials report that they need more resources to keep up with administrative and security needs.
The latest edition of the Brennan Center’s annual survey found that 38 percent of local election officials experienced threats, harassment, or abuse for doing their jobs. Last month, the Department of Justice’s Election Threats Task Force announced it is investigating dozens of threats against election workers and has already convicted 13 individuals. In recent testimony before the U.S. Senate, Isaac Cramer, executive director of South Carolina’s Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections, described how a group traveled to county polling locations to harass election workers during the June 2022 primaries. One of them posted a threatening message online saying, “For all of you on the team tomorrow observing the polls, Good Hunting.” In the aftermath, many Charleston County staff members reported feeling unsafe.
Unfortunately, such fears are not uncommon. Overall, the surveyed election officials’ concerns about physical safety and harassment remain high. More than half of local election officials reported being concerned about the safety of their colleagues or staff — a significantly higher number than in 2023, but about equal to 2022. Similarly, more than one in four worries about being assaulted at home or work.........