
As threats against election workers rise, the DOJ takes action by deploying District Election Officers to safeguard our electoral process.
At a Glance
- The DOJ formed the Election Threats Task Force in 2021 in response to rising threats against election officials.
- 2500 threats reported, with 20 prosecutions; First Amendment protects many communications.
- District Election Officers will address complaints and ensure election integrity.
- Despite DOJ initiatives, many election officials feel unsupported and face increasing threats.
DOJ’s Strategic Response to Election Threats
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has proactively responded to a surge in threats aimed at election workers by deploying District Election Officers nationwide. Part of the Election Threats Task Force established in 2021, this deployment aims to preserve the integrity and safety of the electoral process. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasizes the importance of safeguarding those administering elections to maintain public confidence in democratic processes.
Since its inception, the task force has charged about 20 individuals from over 2,000 reported threats, highlighting the difficulties of litigating such cases. Many statements are protected by the First Amendment, complicating efforts to prosecute offenders and prompting election officials to seek further DOJ support.
Today, Attorney General Garland convened a meeting of the Election Threats Task Force, underscoring the Department’s #ElectionSecurity efforts to safeguard election workers – whether elected, appointed, or volunteer – from threats and intimidation.
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— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) May 13, 2024
Key Operations of District Election Officers
District Election Officers (DEOs) play a pivotal role, overseeing Election Day complaints and coordinating with the task force to tackle threats effectively. Specifically, their responsibilities include managing complaints regarding voting rights and potential election fraud. Their overarching aim is to foster an unimpeded voting process and protect election officials from escalating threats.
“I will reiterate again today, these cases are a warning if you threaten to harm or kill an election worker or official or volunteer, the Justice Department will find you and we will hold you accountable,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Many U.S. attorney’s offices have officially announced their DEOs. For instance, Delaware’s designation of Assistant United States Attorney Shamoor Anis underscores the commitment to election integrity. Despite these efforts, there remains concern among election personnel over the slow pace of investigations and prosecutions.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Questions about the task force’s transparency and its overall efficacy persist. Since its foundation, only 100 investigations have been pursued, with 15 convictions secured. A growing number of election officials feel disillusioned, with 45% of threats going unreported. The DOJ continues to face challenges in differentiating between “true threats” and protected speech, influenced by ongoing judicial interpretations of constitutional law.
“A ‘vast majority’ of the communications directed at election officials, however offensive, are protected by the First Amendment and cannot be prosecuted,” said then Assistant Attorney General Polite.
The DOJ remains committed to protecting America’s election systems. Deployment of DEOs is a step forward, but ongoing dialogue, statistics from investigations, and feedback from election officials are crucial for achieving tangible outcomes. As midterm elections approach, the DOJ’s escalation of protective measures remains a topic of significant public and political interest.