DOJ Sends Election Officers Across the Country to Safeguard Election Officials from Threats

The Department of Justice is taking steps to safeguard election officials’ safety by dispatching officers nationwide as we approach the election day.

DOJ’s Nationwide Deployment

The Department of Justice, under Attorney General Merrick B. Garland’s leadership, has launched an initiative to protect election officials by deploying District Election Officers (DEOs) nationwide. This move comes in response to an alarming increase in threats against those involved in the electoral process. The Election Threats Task Force, established in 2021, highlights the DOJ’s strong dedication to protecting the democratic process.

Despite around 2,000 reported threats since its inception, the task force has faced challenges in prosecution, with approximately two dozen individuals facing charges. This rise in threats has led many election officials to feel unsupported and discouraged. Concerns about the task force’s effectiveness and transparency are mounting, with 100 investigations and 15 convictions as evidence.

DOJ deploys district elections officers to handle ‘threats and intimidation’ https://t.co/meKJ5PyfQT

— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) October 21, 2024

Challenges in Prosecution

Prosecuting threats faces a significant obstacle in the protection granted by the First Amendment. The task force must distinguish between valid threats and speech protected by free speech rights. A Supreme Court ruling in 2023 further complicates this task by redefining the standard for identifying a “true threat.” This complexity hinders the DOJ’s ability to hold all potential offenders accountable.

Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized, “I will reiterate again today, these cases are a warning if you threaten to harm or kill an election worker or official or volunteer, the Justice Department will find you and we will hold you accountable.”

Additionally, a concerning statistic reveals that 45% of threats go unreported due to officials lacking confidence in the system’s protection. With growing concerns about transparency, a group of senators has raised queries about the task force’s progress, calling for more action and communication with election workers.

Today, Attorney General Garland convened a meeting of the Election Threats Task Force, underscoring the Department’s #ElectionSecurity
efforts to safeguard election workers – whether elected, appointed, or volunteer – from threats and intimidation.

🔗: https://t.co/yqMcsTVfCP pic.twitter.com/xNvNzEZl2e

— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) May 13, 2024

Proactive Measures

In response to the escalating threat level, the DOJ has stationed DEOs nationwide to collaborate with the Election Threats Task Force. These officers will play a critical role in addressing threats and complaints regarding election integrity. Furthermore, U.S. attorney’s offices are establishing local contacts like Assistant United States Attorney Shamoor Anis in Delaware to facilitate easy reporting of issues.

“A threat to any election official, worker, or volunteer is, at bottom, a threat to democracy.” – Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco