According to a recent poll, almost 40% of local election officials have reported encountering threats, harassment, or abuse while performing their duties.
According to a survey conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice and published on Wednesday, 38 percent of local election workers have experienced “threats, harassment, or abuse.” Additionally, 54 percent of these workers expressed concerns about the safety of their colleagues.
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A significant majority of individuals, approximately 62 percent, expressed their concerns regarding political leaders trying to meddle in the functioning of election officials. Additionally, 28 percent of respondents expressed worry about the safety and well-being of their family members or loved ones, fearing potential threats or harassment.
Moreover, approximately 13% of respondents expressed their worry about being coerced into certifying election results in favor of a particular candidate or political party.
As the November election approaches, a series of recent findings have revealed that local election workers are becoming increasingly fearful for their safety. This survey further emphasizes the concerns surrounding the well-being of these individuals involved in the electoral process.
Threats and scrutiny frequently accompany unfounded allegations of voter fraud, leading to a significant turnover rate among local election officials. Experts caution that this mass departure will leave election teams understaffed and inexperienced, potentially exacerbating the spread of conspiracy theories and undermining confidence in the integrity of the 2024 election process.
There is an ongoing persistence of election conspiracy theories within the GOP, claiming that the 2020 election was “rigged.” Former President Trump and other mainstream politicians have propagated these theories.
The Election Threats Task Force of the Department of Justice made an announcement in March that it is currently investigating numerous threats directed towards election workers. In response to the election denialism that transpired in 2020, the task force was established in 2021 and has already led to the prosecution of 20 individuals.
The Brennan Center survey gathered responses from 928 local election officials between Feb. 23 and March 28. With a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, the survey provides valuable insights.
