258

More than a dozen people nationally have been charged with threatening election workers by a Justice Department unit trying to stem the tide of violent and graphic threats against people who count and secure the vote.

Government employees are being bombarded with threats even in normally quiet periods between elections, secretaries of state and experts warn. Some point to former President Donald Trump and his allies repeatedly and falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen and spreading conspiracy theories about election workers. Experts fear the 2024 election could be worse and want the Justice Department to do more to protect election workers.

The Justice Department created the task force in 2021 led by its public integrity section, which investigates election crimes. John Keller, the unit's second in command, said in an interview with The Associated Press that the department hoped its prosecutions would deter others from threatening election workers.

The unit has filed 14 cases and two have resulted in yearslong prison sentences, including a 2 1/2-year sentence for an Iowa man charged with leaving a message threatening to “lynch” and “hang” an Arizona election official.

A Texas man was given 3 1/2 years earlier this month after suggesting a “mass shooting of poll workers and election officials” last year, charges stated. In one message, the Justice Department said, the man wrote: “Someone needs to get these people AND their children. The children are the most important message to send.”

top 20 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] Motavader@lemmy.world 64 points 1 year ago

"For many election workers, the threats have been a major driving factor to leave the job, hollowing out the ranks of experience ahead of 2024,"

And this is EXACTLY what the facists want. They hope to replace poll workers with people who will follow their conspiracy theories instead of the law.

[-] Fredselfish@lemmy.world 29 points 1 year ago

Yep get them replaced with maga fuckwhits who will actually make sure to throw out Democratic ballotts. It's fascism.

[-] Pratai@lemmy.ca 46 points 1 year ago

You guys remember when conservatives said the left would be unhinged and violent when they don’t get their way?

[-] Ubermeisters@lemmy.zip 26 points 1 year ago

My favorite part is how they're always telling us what their plans are by telling us what they think the other people are going to do

[-] lolcatnip@reddthat.com 6 points 1 year ago

Every single accusation is a confession.

[-] SaltySalamander@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago

Gaslight, Obstruct, Project

[-] Burn_The_Right@lemmy.world 38 points 1 year ago

Conservatives are a plague.

[-] foggy@lemmy.world 34 points 1 year ago

Isn't that it's own crime? Just throw the book at these bumpkin dipshits.

[-] utopianfiat@lemmy.world 33 points 1 year ago

Sure let's just get the cops to arrest them.

puts finger in earpiece

I'm being told they are the cops.

[-] foggy@lemmy.world 16 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Bummer there's no higher arresting authority than local or state police for federal crimes.

puts finger in earpiece

I'm being told there are higher arresting authorities for such crimes.

[-] Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

And they're diligent and proactive in pursuing such crimes.

puts finger in earpiece

I'm being told they wait a year when they don't feel like doing anything.

Everyone - raise your hand if you clicked this link while being unsure which end of the political spectrum the threats came from.

What, no one?

[-] jordanlund@lemmy.one 19 points 1 year ago

This hits a little close to home since my wife is an elected Precinct Committee Person or PCP.

One of her duties, since Oregon is a vote by mail state, is to monitor ballot drop off locations for any tampering or intimidation.

The last few elections I've gone with her, I wouldn't dream of letting her do this alone in our climate.

Nothing has happened, since we're in the bluest part of a blue state, but man, I could completely see it happening.

[-] TwoGems@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

Fuck 'em still gonna volunteer as a poll worker. No fat hamberder Trump supporter is gonna intimidate me.

[-] NaibofTabr@infosec.pub 6 points 1 year ago

These people think they're patriots.

[-] Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

These people know they're fascists. I'm not giving them the benefit of the doubt.

[-] Benjameee@snowstorm.online 2 points 1 year ago

I read election as electron and had a fleeting thought of man people really do hate chromium

this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2023
258 points (97.8% liked)

politics

19170 readers
4588 users here now

Welcome to the discussion of US Politics!

Rules:

  1. Post only links to articles, Title must fairly describe link contents. If your title differs from the site’s, it should only be to add context or be more descriptive. Do not post entire articles in the body or in the comments.

Links must be to the original source, not an aggregator like Google Amp, MSN, or Yahoo.

Example:

  1. Articles must be relevant to politics. Links must be to quality and original content. Articles should be worth reading. Clickbait, stub articles, and rehosted or stolen content are not allowed. Check your source for Reliability and Bias here.
  2. Be civil, No violations of TOS. It’s OK to say the subject of an article is behaving like a (pejorative, pejorative). It’s NOT OK to say another USER is (pejorative). Strong language is fine, just not directed at other members. Engage in good-faith and with respect! This includes accusing another user of being a bot or paid actor. Trolling is uncivil and is grounds for removal and/or a community ban.
  3. No memes, trolling, or low-effort comments. Reposts, misinformation, off-topic, trolling, or offensive. Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.
  4. Vote based on comment quality, not agreement. This community aims to foster discussion; please reward people for putting effort into articulating their viewpoint, even if you disagree with it.
  5. No hate speech, slurs, celebrating death, advocating violence, or abusive language. This will result in a ban. Usernames containing racist, or inappropriate slurs will be banned without warning

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.

That's all the rules!

Civic Links

Register To Vote

Citizenship Resource Center

Congressional Awards Program

Federal Government Agencies

Library of Congress Legislative Resources

The White House

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Senate

Partnered Communities:

News

World News

Business News

Political Discussion

Ask Politics

Military News

Global Politics

Moderate Politics

Progressive Politics

UK Politics

Canadian Politics

Australian Politics

New Zealand Politics

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS