Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is warning the Trump Administration not to cancel a program that protects voting rights and election workers.
Today, Sen. Ossoff and a group of Senators urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to continue the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Election Threats Task Force, which helps protect Georgia’s election workers from ongoing threats of violence.
“Given the recent disturbing personnel and policy decisions at the Department and the lack of transparency about the future of the Task Force, we request an immediate update on the status and activities of the Task Force, as well as what resources will be provided to ensure its important work continues so that election officials of both parties can safely administer our elections,” Sen. Ossoff and the group wrote to Attorney General Bondi.
In a report by the Brennan Center for Justice last May, 38 percent of local election officials reported mistreatment, while 54 percent expressed concern for the safety of their colleagues.
“Election workers continue to fear for their safety, so it is critical that the work of the Task Force continues to deter and counter these threats. In this challenging environment for election officials, it is essential to our democracy that they can continue to rely on the Department to uphold the law,” Sen. Ossoff and the group continued. “Moreover, the federal government’s ability to fight election interference has been greatly hampered in the early weeks of this Administration.”
Sen. Ossoff continues working to protect Georgia voters and election workers.
In July, 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.
Last year, 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.
Click here to read the Senator’s letter.
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