After one of the most violent campaigns in the history of the United States, all 50 states in the country are reinforcing voting centers to ensure that the November 5 elections take place safely and thus protect the physical integrity of electoral officials and voters against the possibility of episodes of violence.
Hundreds of security equipment, drones, snipers, bulletproof glass and vests and even a panic button connected to the emergency number will be in charge of ensuring the correct development of the day and allowing everyone to exercise their right to vote.
The Department of Justice will send election observers to 86 jurisdictions in 27 states, including those considered key. These elections will be the ones with the largest number of federal observers in history.
The climate of polarization in the country has progressively escalated to reach unprecedented levels since on January 6, 2021, supporters of the former president and new Republican candidate Donald Trump (2017-2021) stormed the US Capitol while Joe’s victory was being certified. Biden.
The Capitol Police, aware that what happened could be repeated, carried out an evacuation drill a few days ago in which 12 helicopters participated, according to the Fox News network.
Throughout this legislature, the Republican and many of his allies have continued to fuel the theory of electoral fraud in the 2020 elections and during the campaign they have paved the way to resort to that same strategy if he loses to his rival, the vice president and Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris.
To prevent violent protests from occurring, as occurred in 2020 against county election offices, states, especially the most contested ones, have allocated millions of dollars to local governments to strengthen their security.
This is the case of Maricopa, the largest county in Arizona, one of the key states in these elections, which after Trump falsely claimed that he had won in the last elections suffered demonstrations in its offices.
The Secretary of State of Arizona, Adrian Fontes, explained in a press conference that extreme precautions will be taken and security will be reinforced with drones, snipers on rooftops, metal detectors and “physical barriers” at the entrances to the centers.
“We have accepted that the fear of violence has become commonplace. Election officials across the country are saying that they need these measures to feel safe,” said Claire Woodall, former executive director of the Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Election Commission, in a meeting with journalists about security in these presidential elections.
In other counties in the country, those in charge of guarding the voting centers will be protected by bulletproof vests and will wear a panic button connected to the emergency number around their necks.
“It had never been seen before. Coordination with local forces is something new for election officials. Some will also have a person nearby to make sure they feel comfortable and safe entering the voting center,” Woodall explained.
One of the main objectives of this coordination between local forces and officials has focused on training them for possible scenarios. They have carried out mock shootings and have learned how to barricade themselves and make tourniquets so they know how to act in the event of a violent episode.
In addition to the efforts of the administrations, other civil society organizations, concerned with the development of the day, have also focused on the matter.
This is the case of the Committee for Secure Elections, a group of experts in electoral administration that has created pocket guides with the key points of the electoral laws for each state, adapted to local legislation, to expedite the actions of those who will ensure security in the elections against possible threats or attempts at intimidation.
(With information from EFE).
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