In response to open-ended questions on our recent survey, local election officials (n = 209) spoke at length about how election distrust and fears of election violence are impacting their communities and the measures they are taking to alleviate these concerns. Rather than quantify their responses, we have organized their replies to paint a picture of the effects of and responses to election tensions across the nation.
Concerns over election distrust and fears of violence related to the 2024 general election were reported by election officials across the political spectrum and from states that range from deep strongholds for both parties to pivotal swing states. Below, local election officials review the state of election tensions in their own words.
Election officials are working tirelessly to counter election distrust.
Election officials from red, blue, and purple states expressed concern over the level of distrust citizens are conveying in this year’s election processes. Such distrust is occurring despite the fact that American elections are as transparent and verifiable as they have ever been. As an independent election official from Massachusetts disclosed, “many [are] discussing the dissention caused by media, they do not feel elections are safe from fraud any longer.”
Countering fears of election fraud and general distrust in the election process is not an easy task. Local election officials are "working extra hours and try[ing to] address every concern with as much time and patience as possible,” according to one Democratic election official in the swing state of Michigan.
Election officials in the swing state, which went to Biden by a 2.8% margin in 2020 and Trump by a 0.2% margin in 2016, are also implementing procedures to improve transparency and trust in the election process. For example, a Republican election official in Michigan told us, “when a voter comes in person before the election for an AV ballot we show them the whole process-checking signatures, etc. -- and show them where they are locked in a secure drawer.”
Concerns over election integrity are not unique to swing states, nor are the efforts by election officials to reduce such worries. A Democratic election official based in the Republican stronghold of Missouri shared that “our County Clerk has been doing radio interviews, podcasts, visiting senior centers, and town hall meetings in attempts to provide correct information. We also have a Facebook account set up for elections to provide information to voters.” Likewise, in the Democratic stronghold of California, “we respond to all social media posts and have produced an election security video,” per one Democratic election official.
Election officials provide various security measures to reduce fears of violence at the polls.
Tensions related to the November election are sparking “concerns from poll workers and voters about violence,” as a Democratic election official in Iowa noted. Survey respondents from swing, lean, and solid blue and red states mentioned that both election staff and citizens in their communities are expressing fears over violence targeted at voters. “People are worried about security at locations,” stated a Republican election official from Kentucky.
American’s fears of violence are not focused solely on incidents that could occur at the polls. A Democratic election official from Connecticut stated, “I think people are worried about the political climate and are concerned about the potential for violence at the polls and after the elections.” Fears of post-election violence are not unfounded given the storming of the Capitol that happened during the last transfer of presidential power, but the likelihood of repeating such an episode is low.
A variety of security measures have been put in place by local election officials to facilitate safety at election centers. In Kentucky, implementation of occasional law enforcement monitoring at several election centers may improve residents’ sense of security as, “we ask all our local law enforcement to check in on the locations throughout the day,” according to one Republican election official.
Steps have also been taken to alleviate anxieties of poll workers. A Republican election official in Washington noted, “we have implemented multiple safety features into our facilities and procedures to help our team members feel safer.”
If violence does erupt at polling locations, election officials are prepared to act swiftly. As a Democratic election official in New York said, “we are preparing additional security measures if any incidents occur that required escalation to law enforcement.”
Survey Background
The research underlying this brief was built on data from a national random sample of 209 local election officials. The following two survey questions were asked: (1) If relevant, please briefly tell us about how the election is creating tension for your community? (2) If relevant, please briefly tell us about how you or others in your community are trying to mitigate or reduce these tensions.
Press Contact
Victoria Starbuck
Senior Research and Communications Associate
Additional Resources
For access to the underlying data for this brief, email us at info@civicpulse.org.
CivicPulse research related to our Democracy and Elections Program can be found here.