Election Workers in Georgia County Will Get ‘Panic Buttons,’ Increased Security as Threats Rise
The board of commissioners in Cobb County, Georgia approved more than $60,000 last week to fund increased safety measures for election workers, amid rising threats. The funding will be used to hire a security guard for the election office and provide poll workers with panic buttons that instantly contact law enforcement in the event of an emergency.
In a letter to the county manager, Cobb County’s director of elections and director of the Public Services Agency said this additional funding is necessary “with the severe increase in concern for election worker safety.” Cobb County is the third-most populous county in a crucial swing state for this upcoming election, making it a potential target for threats.
After the 2020 election, Trump and his allies filed 65 lawsuits challenging the election results, 14 of which were in Georgia.
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Georgia has faced a myriad of attacks on voting rights and democracy since 2020. Also, leading up to the 2024 election, the State Election Board has passed rules that could delay the certification of results.
Cobb County’s new safety measures are part of a $2.4 million elections funding package that the board of commissioners approved on Aug. 13, which also includes money for more equipment for advanced in-person voting sites, additional election workers, poll pad printers, scanners and more.
“In preparation for a potentially record-breaking turnout Presidential Election, we must ensure that we have enough equipment, personnel, and support to execute the election to the best of our ability,” the county directors said in the letter.
Threats against election workers have spiked since 2020 — fueled by the inflamed rhetoric of former President Donald Trump and his allies. A recent Brennan Center survey of local election officials across the country found that 38% experienced threats, harassment or abuse. Also, 70% responded that they believe threats against these officials have increased since 2020.
With the heightened climate for threats and harassment, lawmakers are calling on authorities to increase action to mitigate threats at the state and national levels. At the beginning of July, Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) urged the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI to ensure they are prepared to fight threats against election workers in the 2024 primary and general elections in Georgia and nationwide.
And last month, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) launched a new election hotline for voters and election workers to report threats of physical violence.
Back in 2021, the DOJ launched the Election Threats Task Force. In May, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland delivered remarks about its progress, saying the department secured prison sentences for numerous individuals who threatened election officials.