Situation Room: A North Carolina flash-bang, Colorado firebomb, and Pacific Northwest drop box arson take threats against election infrastructure to a destructive level.
Resource Library: First Things First: Physical Security Fast Wins outlines low-cost, high-impact physical security actions election offices can implement immediately.
Planning Desk: Enhance polling place security with advanced planning and clearly defined protocol.
Beyond Threats
In three recent incidents, malicious actors moved beyond threatening words and intimidation directed at election administration to commit destructive and violent acts. These acts remind us that pre-election security planning is not about hypotheticals. The potential for serious incidents is unfortunately quite real.
Polling Place Explosive Device
Most recently, in February of this year, a flash-bang device was thrown from a moving vehicle toward an active early voting site in Moore County, North Carolina. Roughly 30 voters and poll workers were present. No one was injured, but the attack disrupted voting and remains under investigation.
The device landed 150 yards from the polling ...READ MORE HERE.
The Situation Room focuses on real security incidents and threats in the news relevant to election security. To review previous issues, see the newsletter archive.
First Things First: Physical Security Fast Wins
First Things First: Physical Security Fast Wins is a quick-start guide from the Election Security Exchange focused on five small, low-cost, intentional steps that can make a significant impact in your office.
Control Access to Your Building: Access control forms the foundation of physical security. Measures include deadbolts, door alarms, visitor logs, staff escort procedures, and a no-cost staff alert code word.
Improve Visibility: Visibility is one of the most effective, low-cost security tools. Cameras, video doorbells, and motion-activated lighting can eliminate blind spots and alert you when something unusual happens.
Harden the Perimeter: Your building's exterior is where security begins. Planters, portable barriers, signage, and intentional landscaping can create standoff distance and clear sightlines.
Secure Ballots and Sensitive Areas: These are among the most consequential assets. Lockable cabinets, tamper-evident seals, and a two-person rule in sensitive areas help preserve the chain of custody and secure essential equipment.
Conduct a Monthly 10-Minute Security Audit: Dedicate 10 minutes a month to a walkthrough to catch slack before it becomes a vulnerability.
Each section in the resource includes a "Quick Check" to help you spot gaps right away. The guide also references two CISA physical security checklists, one for election offices and the other for polling locations.
The Resource Library section of the newsletter spotlights election security resources. All highlighted resources are available online in the Resource Library.
Week E-34: Ensuring a Safe & Secure Polling Place
Creating a safe environment at polling places starts now, with developing guidance, planning polling place setups, and identifying any resources you need. The suggestions below can aid Election Day training and protocol to ensure every pollworker and voter feels secure.
Site Safety: Organize for Security!
Polling places come in many shapes and sizes, and these recommendations may be better suited for some than others. Choose the ones that make sense for you.
Know the Layout: Identify all exits, locations of first aid supplies, and safety equipment such as fire extinguishers. Ensure paths to exits are kept clear of equipment or storage at all times.
Power of Placement: Position check-in tables so workers have a clear view of the entrance. Avoid placing workers in corners, and ensure every worker has a clear path to move behind the desk.
Signage is Safety: Define election-personnel-only boundaries and prohibited items where necessary. Clear rules reduce confusion, which can be a source of friction.
The Buddy System: Ideally, no poll worker should ever be alone. This is especially important during opening, closing, or when taking election materials to your car. Try to always move in pairs.
Secure the Perimeter: Monitor the "buffer zone" outside the entrance. Individuals loitering or filming in a way that is intimidating or prohibited should be reported as soon as possible.
Safety Protocol Reminders
Communication Chains: Ensure every worker has the cell number of the Site Lead and the local election office.
Document Everything: Use an incident log to record the time, description, and individuals involved in any disruption. Minor notes now may provide important details later. Design a simple log and print it out to have on hand.
Personal Privacy: Remind workers to keep their personal bags, car keys, and phones in a secure, non-public area.
