U.S. Election Officials Prepare for Increased Scrutiny and Harassment

Election officials across the United States are preparing for heightened scrutiny and potential harassment as competitive races expand into traditionally non-competitive states. The Committee for Safe and Secure Elections has doubled its training sessions compared to 2024 to help local clerks manage the pressure of high-stakes districts.

Tina Barton, vice president of the committee and former city clerk of Rochester Hills, Michigan, warns that minor human errors in battleground states can be falsely characterized as massive conspiracies. Barton previously faced death threats after the Republican National Committee accused her office of impropriety during the 2020 election.

While some officials report a calmer environment, others are bracing for volatility. Wendy Link, the Supervisor of Elections for Palm Beach County, Florida, has reported intimidation attempts via email. In Texas, Chris McGinn of the Texas Association of County Election Officials is preparing clerks for national spotlight and pressure driven by a critical U.S. Senate race, noting that some officials in traditionally reliable states still believe such scrutiny only happens elsewhere.