Election workers in the United States face an alarming increase in threats and harassment, a trend experts predict will worsen in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election.
According to PBS News, threats and intimidation are increasingly directed at individuals responsible for counting and securing the vote, driven by misinformation and false claims about the 2020 election.
Prominent figures and social media posts have contributed to this hostile environment. Experts point to former President Donald Trump and his allies, who have repeatedly claimed without evidence that the 2020 election was stolen.
The US Department of Justice, through its Election Threats Task Force, is actively prosecuting individuals making violent and graphic threats against election workers. The unit was formed in 2021 to address election-related crimes.
John Keller, the unit’s second in command, emphasized the seriousness of these threats, stating, “This isn’t going to be taken lightly. It’s not going to be trivialized.” The Justice Department aims to deter others from threatening election workers through its prosecutions.
Despite the challenges, there have been relatively few prosecutions. Many threats follow social media posts by prominent figures pushing false election claims.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold anticipates that threats will increase as the presidential election approaches in 2024. Griswold noted that threats often coincide with false claims about the 2020 election, with more action needed to protect election workers.
Election officials acknowledge the difficulty in prosecuting such cases but believe more can be done. Liz Howard, a former election official and now with the Brennan Center for Justice, called on the Justice Department to improve outreach.
The threats have led many experienced election workers to leave their positions, potentially impacting the integrity of the 2024 elections. According to a Brennan Center survey, this exodus could leave around one in five election officials new to their roles in 2024.
The task force’s work is occurring amid political debates about the Justice Department’s actions, although the task force itself has not been publicly targeted.
It also operates in a climate where misinformation about the 2020 election continues to circulate, particularly among some Republican leaders.
As the threats persist, many election workers question whether the job is worth the risk.
