Melissa Kono has dedicated the last decade to training election workers in Wisconsin, primarily as the election town clerk in Burnside. Initially, her training focused on election regulations, such as voter ID rules and eligibility. However, recent years have seen a shift towards preparing workers to handle threats, including identifying real dangers and effective de-escalation techniques.
Five years ago, Kono started incorporating emergency response protocols into her training, covering scenarios like severe weather and fires. Now, her materials include strategies for addressing general emergencies alongside handling threats. She notes that most trainee inquiries revolve around managing conflicts and responding to allegations of voter fraud.
Kono expresses serious concerns for the safety of election personnel. “I feel a deep responsibility for their safety, preparing them for what they might face. Yet, there are still so many unpredictable elements,” she reflects. Sadly, some valuable team members have chosen to step back from their roles due to these escalating dangers, which she finds deeply distressing.
And her concerns are not unfounded. Since the 2020 election, threats against election officials have surged, primarily driven by unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud made by former President Donald Trump. A recent survey by the Brennan Center for Justice revealed that 38% of local election officials have faced threats or harassment. Moreover, over half expressed worries about the safety of their colleagues and even their families.
Incidents have escalated, with reports of election officials receiving letters containing suspicious white powder across more than 15 states. In Kansas, election personnel have been advised to don protective gear when handling incoming mail due to concerns about possible threats. Even more alarming, swatting incidents—hoax calls intended to provoke an aggressive police response—have targeted election officials.
“The need to second-guess calling for help because of potential hoaxes is terrifying,” Kono admits. In light of these threats, many officials nationwide are increasing security measures for Election Day to safeguard workers and voters.
In response to these alarming trends, the Department of Justice established an Election Threats Task Force in June 2021, achieving convictions for 13 individuals connected to threats against election workers. Cases include a man in Florida who threatened to detonate a polling place and another in Texas who captured attention for endorsing violence against election workers.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland recently emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment to driving investigations into threats against election staff, asserting, “For democracy to thrive, public servants must perform their duties without fear for their safety.”
Due to heightened concerns, some have suggested that eliminating in-person voting might be the safest course of action. For instance, an elementary school in Houston opted not to serve as a polling location after parents expressed worries for student safety. Similarly, Arizona’s largest school district made the same decision following a tumultuous election that led to confrontations between parents and school staff.
Pape highlighted that the risks to workers are particularly pronounced in battleground states where election outcomes are expected to be razor-thin. He points to a survey indicating that a significant portion of Americans believe violence could be justified regarding electoral outcomes, signaling a potential rise in election-related violence.
To mitigate these risks, he proposed that governors in critical battleground states release a joint video denouncing political violence, as rhetoric plays a crucial role in both escalating and preventing it. Robert Shapiro, a political science professor, stressed the necessity of having adequate law enforcement presence at polling sites and making it clear that threats will not be tolerated.
Furthermore, the National Policing Institute provided guidelines earlier this year on enhancing public safety during election periods, recognizing the evolving role law enforcement must play in securing the election process.