Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is pushing to strengthen protections for election workers against threats of violence.
Today, Sen. Ossoff launched an inquiry with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to ensure they are taking necessary precautions to protect election workers and ensure the efficient administration of elections as voters head to the polls in primary and general elections this year.
Sen. Ossoff is requesting the Federal agencies detail their processes for receiving and responding to threats, steps they are taking to ensure staffing needs are met, and how they plan to enforce existing laws to protect election workers.
“Protecting the integrity of our elections depends on protecting those who run them,” Sen. Ossoff wrote. “Yet over the last several years, election workers in Georgia and across the country have reported increased intimidation, harassment, and threats of violence.”
“Now with the 2024 primary elections underway and the general election upcoming, DOJ must ensure the safety of election workers across the country in order to protect free and fair elections,” Sen. Ossoff continued. “I urge the DOJ and FBI to prioritize efforts to protect our election workers and to investigate any such threats expeditiously.”
According to a Brennan Center survey of election officials earlier this year, 38% reported experiencing harassment or abuse in their role and their concerns about threats to their own physical safety have risen since last year.
According to a recent report from The New York Times, despite over 2,000 reported threats to election workers, only around 100 were investigated, and only 13 were convicted.
Sen. Ossoff continues working to protect voting rights for eligible Georgia voters.
In March, Sen. Ossoff introduced the Election Worker and Polling Place Protection Act, which would broaden protections for the election workers and volunteers who help administer America’s elections.
Sen. Ossoff also introduced the Right to Vote Act to enshrine into law American citizens’ fundamental right to vote. The bill would establish the first-ever statutory right to vote in Federal elections and allow Americans to enforce that right by challenging in court any policy that unduly restricts ballot access.
In February, Sen. Ossoff also joined Sen. Klobuchar and colleagues in pushing for significant funding in the FY25 budget to help state and local governments with the administration and security of federal elections, including to maintain and improve election infrastructure, keep pace with emerging technology such as artificial intelligence, and enhance cybersecurity to combat new threats.
Click here to read Sen. Ossoff’s inquiry with the DOJ and FBI.
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