On November 5, 2024, Americans will vote to elect their next president. The whole world is watching these elections. The authorities are taking measures to ensure both the safety of the election staff, the voting and the security of the counting process. The situation worsened after the assassination of former President Donald Trump. Atlanta is a key battleground state in the presidential race. In the wake of the elections, the Director of Elections recently conducted a five-hour training session here. But this was no ordinary election. The session focused on devising strategies to conduct elections in the safest possible manner. Let's take a look at what measures are being implemented by election officials for safe voting in the United States.
Political Violence in the United States
Cobb County's elections director, Tate Fall, said measures were needed after a poll worker reported a disturbing experience. During Georgia's presidential primary election in March, there was a dispute between both poll workers and voters. As the voter had a gun, the situation turned tense and the polling staff panicked. Local election directors across the country are stepping up security measures in preparation for the November 5 vote, Tate Fall said. Since the 2020 presidential election, election officials have faced harassment and even death threats. The attacks were carried out mainly by individuals affected by claims of election fraud and rigging of voting machines against former President Donald Trump.
Over the past year, gunshots have been fired multiple times at the window of an election office in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Bogus calls were made to top election officials in Georgia, Maine, Michigan and Missouri. Jane Easterly, director of US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure, said during a recent online event that "activists from both parties and their families have been subjected to threats, harassment, and some even beatings. It's very embarrassing for me. "These people don't do it for money, they think it's right to protect democracy. "
What's different about this election?
The U.S. cybersecurity director said her agency has conducted more than 1,000 physical security assessments for election offices since the beginning of 2023. Election officials have used these assessments to identify threats, as well as to obtain funding from local governments for necessary improvements. In addition, a 2022 decision by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission now allows federal funds to be used for security improvements such as badge readers, cameras, and protective fencing. For the upcoming election, Los Angeles County in California and Durham County in North Carolina will have new offices equipped with security improvements. These improvements include bulletproof glass, security cameras, and badge-entered doors. New procedures for handling mail or incoming parcels will also be implemented across the country.
The main feature of the new office in Durham County is a mail processing room with a separate exhaust system. Durham County Elections Director Derek Bowens said the need to tighten security was due to threats to election officials in Michigan and Arizona, as well as suspicious letters sent to offices in several states.
Why did the election officials resign?
Derek Bowens and other executives have worked on elections for years. He said that there has been a significant change in their jobs. Some election officials across the country are leaving their jobs due to threats and harassment of election officials, he said. In some places, election workers are being trained in de-escalation techniques and how to respond to gunmen. "This was not there earlier. The current situation calls for increased security, "said Carrie-Ann Burgess, chief election officer in Washoe County, Nevada. "We have contingency plans in place. We are more alert now, "he said.
Panic buttons, bulletproof glass, and more
County Manager Romilda Croccamo is planning to install panic buttons for poll managers at about 130 polling stations on Election Day. Pennsylvania law prohibits police officers from entering polling places. However, Krokamo and his team are working with the local authorities so that information can reach them by radio in case of an accident.
