Explanation
In recent years, the role of voting location workers has become increasingly challenging for a variety of reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in election law, and of significant concern, a dramatic increase in harassment of election officials. Reuters has reported on more than 900 “threatening and hostile messages to election administrators and staff in 17 states.” Similarly, the commissioner of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, Benjamin Hovland, commented that poll worker harassment is “a real problem and it's taking a toll on the public servants who run our elections."
In March of this year, the Brennan Center for Justice published results of a survey of almost 600 election officials that showed the following:
· More than 75% said threats against election administrators and staff have increased in recent years;
· The percentage saying they are “very worried” about political leaders interfering in future elections has nearly tripled since before 2020;
· More than three-fourths of local election officials say social media companies have not done enough to stop the spread of false election information;
· About one in six election officials reported in the poll that they have been threatened personally, and more than half of those instances were not reported to law enforcement;
· Nearly a third of the respondents said they feel their local government could do more to support them.
The execution of free and fair elections is an obligation for elected officials, but that will become increasingly challenging if residents fear that they will face harassment for their service. The code provisions included in this ordinance seek to proactively enact protections for local poll workers by prohibiting the kinds of harassment that could serve as a deterrent to residents serving during elections.
Emergency action is requested to immediately enact new Section 2317.52 in advance of this November’s general election.
Title
To enact Section 2...
Click here for full text