Officials ramp up security as US voters head to polls

Federal and state officials have increased security measures at polling stations for voters and election workers nationwide for the 2024 presidential election.

The US Justice Department said it is monitoring threats ahead of Election Day, Tuesday, Nov 5. 

At least 40 percent of elections workers said that they have faced a growing number of threats, abuse and even harassment, the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law found.

"As we approach Election Day, the Justice Department's warning remains clear: Anyone who illegally threatens an election worker, official, or volunteer will face the consequences," US Attorney General Merrick Garland said.

"The fact that election workers need to be worried about their security is incomprehensible and unacceptable," Christopher Wray, FBI director said in a statement.

The federal government erected security fences at key locations in Washington DC on Sunday including the White House, US Capitol and the Naval Observatory grounds, where the vice-president's residence is.

No threats to the Capitol have been reported, the FBI said.

Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said that her office has been preparing for months to heighten security for Election Day. Many of the new safety precautions will stay in place until the presidential inauguration in January.

In New York City, Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James announced efforts to protect voting rights, stop misinformation and boost public safety. James launched a hotline for voting problems.

"My office has been preparing for months for a safe and smooth election process," James said in a statement. 

A spokesman for Mayor Eric Adams office directed China Daily's interview request to the New York Police Department, as being in charge of overall security. The NYPD did not respond for comment.

But a deputy sheriff sergeant with more than 20 years of experience with the New York City sheriff's office, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told China Daily: "We will have cops stationed outside all New York City polling stations on Election Day. There are some there now. More will come later.

"So far, I have not seen a lot of issues, or violence. Make no doubt, we are very prepared for the day."

In California, the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California has been working with local and federal officials to ensure election day is safe. FBI special agents will be on hand at field offices on Election Day. Los Angeles County has spent $29 million upgrading its main election offices to handle operations.

Police will use canine teams to scan incoming mail ballots for suspicious substances.  

Bulletproof glass and steel doors have been installed at hundreds of election offices nationwide.

More security will also be put in place at the Palm Beach County Convention center in Florida.

The National Guard is on standby in numerous states for Election Day on Tuesday, including Washington state and Oregon, to prepare for possible civil unrest.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced the move in response to recent ballot box fires, stating, "The southwest region of Washington state has already experienced specific instances of election-related unrest."

"Based upon general and specific information and concerns regarding the potential for violence or other unlawful activity related to the 2024 general election, I want to ensure we are fully prepared to respond to any potential additional civil unrest."

Although Inslee did not specify the number of troops that would be activated, he confirmed that the National Guard will support law enforcement from Monday through Thursday during the week of the election.

The move follows incidents in which ballot drop boxes were set on fire in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, on Oct 28, damaging hundreds of ballots. Officials suspect the vandalism is linked to a similar fire in Vancouver earlier in October.

Many of the boxes had "Free Gaza" scrawled on them, according to The New York Times. Police have arrested a suspect.

Clark County election officials in Washington are working to identify voters affected by the Vancouver fire; around 475 damaged ballots were recovered, and voters affected are being notified so they can submit replacement ballots. In Portland, the majority of ballots were recovered with minimal damage.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the use of ballot drop boxes has expanded to 27 states, including Washington and Oregon.

In the 2020 election, a few drop boxes were also targeted —some were hit by vehicles, others damaged by arson. A ballot box in Massachusetts was set on fire but most ballots were intact enough for voter identification. A drop box also was set on fire in Los Angeles County that year.

In Durham County, North Carolina, new cameras and security have been installed.

Nationwide, election workers who have to open mailed-in ballots have been given kits of Narcan, the nasal spray used for accidental overdoses, AP reports.

On Nov 1, the FBI launched a command center in Washington and other locations to monitor threats.

The Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center in Phoenix, Arizona will have snipers on the roof, extra security cameras, floodlights and 10-foot-high fences.

Trump himself was the target of two assassination attempts in the summer. He was shot in the ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July before a sniper killed shooter Thomas Crooks, 20.

Secret Service thwarted a second assassination attempt at Trump's golf course West Palm Beach, Florida, in September. Ryan Routh, 58, was charged in the attempted assassination and remains in custody.

A man was arrested in Tempe, Arizona in connection with a shooting at a Democratic campaign office on Oct 29.

Jesse Lutzenberger, 63, was arrested and charged for punching a 69-year-old election worker in the face in San Antonio, Texas, on Oct 24. He was told to remove his red "Make America Great America" hat before and after he cast his vote at a polling location.

Under Texas law, it is illegal to wear any garment that shows support for any political candidates in a polling station.

Agencies contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at belindarobinson@chinadailyusa.com.