Federal Response to Election Threats is Inadequate, Says BPC and Alliance for Securing Democracy
Washington, DC – Today, the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Alliance for Securing Democracy (ASD) released a joint report, Deterring Threats to Election Workers: Recommendations for the Department of Justice Election Threats Task Force. This report aims to improve the task force’s effectiveness by urging the DOJ to release a guidance document for local law enforcement, FBI field offices, and others who work on the front lines of elections.
“The formation of the Election Threats Task Force in 2021 demonstrated the DOJ’s commitment to protecting our election officials, but their progress has been too slow,” said Matthew Weil, executive director of BPC’s Democracy Program. “The task force needs to more urgently pursue investigations and prosecutions of threats made against election officials.”
The guidance document envisioned by BPC and ASD would discuss federal statutes the DOJ enforces related to election threats, statutes that prohibit the intimidation of election officials, and the department’s commitment to act against those who violate the law. The guidance document could also bolster ongoing state efforts to prosecute election threats.
“The Election Threats Task Force should lead collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement and election offices.” said David Levine, elections integrity fellow at ASD.
“Additional guidance from the Department of Justice would add a new tool to the toolbox that law enforcement can use to better assist and protect election workers,” added Rachel Dean Wilson, midterms lead at ASD.
The DOJ must mobilize a national response partnering with all levels of government and law enforcement to effectively and efficiently address the thousands of violent threats that continue to be directed at election workers.
Read the full report here.
For questions or to speak with Matthew Weil contact Senior Manager of Media Relation Kyle Fischer. To speak with David Levine contact [email protected].
About the Bipartisan Policy Center
The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a Washington, DC-based think tank that actively fosters bipartisanship by combining the best ideas from both parties to promote health, security, and opportunity for all Americans. Our policy solutions are the product of informed deliberations by former elected and appointed officials, business and labor leaders, and academics and advocates who represent both sides of the political spectrum.
About the Alliance for Securing Democracy
The Alliance for Securing Democracy (ASD) is a nonpartisan initiative housed at the German Marshall Fund of the United States that develops comprehensive strategies to deter, defend against, and raise the costs on autocratic efforts to undermine and interfere in democratic institutions.