Georgia County poll workers get 'panic buttons' and increased security as threats increase

The Board of Election Commissioners in Cobb County, Georgia, last week approved more than $60,000 to fund increased security measures for poll workers in light of increasing threats. The funds will be used to hire a security guard for the elections office and equip poll workers with panic buttons that will immediately call police in the event of an emergency.

In a letter to the county manager, the Cobb County Supervisor of Elections and the Director of the Public Services Agency explained that these additional funds are necessary “due to greatly increased concerns about the safety of poll workers.” Cobb County is the third most populous county in a swing state crucial to the upcoming election, making it a potential target for threats.

Georgia has faced countless attacks on its voting rights and democracy since 2020. In addition, the state election board has enacted rules ahead of the 2024 election that could delay the certification of results.

Cobb County's new security measures are part of a $2.4 million election funding package that the Board of Supervisors approved on Aug. 13. The package also includes money for more equipment for expanded polling places, additional poll workers, ballot pad printers, scanners and more.

“As we prepare for a presidential election with potentially record-breaking voter turnout, we must ensure we have enough equipment, staff and support to conduct the election in the best possible way,” the county directors said in the letter.

Threats against poll workers have increased since 2020, fueled by the vitriolic rhetoric of former President Donald Trump and his allies. A recent Brennan Center survey of local election officials across the country found that 38% experienced threats, harassment or abuse. Additionally, 70% responded that they believe threats against these officials have increased since 2020.

As threats and harassment increase, lawmakers are calling on authorities to step up their response to threats at the state and federal levels. In early July, Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia) called on the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI to ensure they are prepared to combat threats against poll workers in the 2024 primary and general elections in Georgia and across the country.

And last month, Pennsylvania's Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro, set up a new election hotline for voters and poll workers to report threats of physical violence.

The U.S. Department of Justice had already launched the Election Threats Task Force in 2021. In May, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland commented on the task force's progress and said the department had obtained prison sentences for numerous individuals who threatened election officials.

Read the letter with the budget details here.