Election workers have gotten death threats and warnings they will be lynched, the US government says
Election workers have gotten death threats and warnings they will be lynched, the US government says
More than a dozen people nationally have been charged with threatening election workers by a Justice Department unit trying to stem the tide of violent and graphic threats against people who count and secure the vote.
Government employees are being bombarded with threats even in normally quiet periods between elections, secretaries of state and experts warn. Some point to former President Donald Trump and his allies repeatedly and falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen and spreading conspiracy theories about election workers. Experts fear the 2024 election could be worse and want the Justice Department to do more to protect election workers.
The Justice Department created the task force in 2021 led by its public integrity section, which investigates election crimes. John Keller, the unit's second in command, said in an interview with The Associated Press that the department hoped its prosecutions would deter others from threatening election workers.
The unit has filed 14 cases and two have resulted in yearslong prison sentences, including a 2 1/2-year sentence for an Iowa man charged with leaving a message threatening to “lynch” and “hang” an Arizona election official.
A Texas man was given 3 1/2 years earlier this month after suggesting a “mass shooting of poll workers and election officials” last year, charges stated. In one message, the Justice Department said, the man wrote: “Someone needs to get these people AND their children. The children are the most important message to send.”
"For many election workers, the threats have been a major driving factor to leave the job, hollowing out the ranks of experience ahead of 2024,"
And this is EXACTLY what the facists want. They hope to replace poll workers with people who will follow their conspiracy theories instead of the law.
Yep get them replaced with maga fuckwhits who will actually make sure to throw out Democratic ballotts. It's fascism.
Conservatives are a plague.
Isn't that it's own crime? Just throw the book at these bumpkin dipshits.
Everyone - raise your hand if you clicked this link while being unsure which end of the political spectrum the threats came from.
What, no one?
This hits a little close to home since my wife is an elected Precinct Committee Person or PCP.
One of her duties, since Oregon is a vote by mail state, is to monitor ballot drop off locations for any tampering or intimidation.
The last few elections I've gone with her, I wouldn't dream of letting her do this alone in our climate.
Nothing has happened, since we're in the bluest part of a blue state, but man, I could completely see it happening.
These people think they're patriots.
These people know they're fascists. I'm not giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Fuck 'em still gonna volunteer as a poll worker. No fat hamberder Trump supporter is gonna intimidate me.
I read election as electron and had a fleeting thought of man people really do hate chromium
That’s it. Suspend elections. Joe Biden is President for life.
Why not just win the election so it's a full four years instead?