By Joanna Putman
Police1
As Election Day nears, election officials and law enforcement agencies across the U.S. are intensifying security efforts to ensure safe voting experiences and protect democratic processes. Police leaders nationwide emphasize that they are prepared for Election Day and beyond, with a focus on balancing security and respecting citizens’ rights.
Take a look at some of the incidents that sparked increased election security, as well as some of the ways law enforcement agencies are getting ready for the big day.
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office: Deputies on high alert, security measures added
Maricopa County, Arizona, is taking extensive security measures around its election center in Phoenix to ensure the safety of voters and staff for the upcoming Nov. 5 presidential election, Votebeat Arizona reported. Security upgrades include concrete barriers, multiple layers of fencing and locked doors. Sheriff Russ Skinner outlined the plan for designated protest areas outside fenced zones, emphasizing that lawful demonstrations would be respected but that any illegal activity would prompt immediate law enforcement action.
Following the events of 2020, when armed protesters gathered outside the election center, this year’s preparations are more robust, according to the report. Workers will park in a secure lot and have shuttles and law enforcement escorts to ensure safe access to their vehicles. Skinner confirmed that while snipers are not currently planned, drones may be used to monitor activity around the facility.
In response to recent incidents of arson targeting ballot drop boxes, Maricopa Elections Director Scott Jarrett explained that each box has a fire suppression system, and outdoor boxes are under continuous live video surveillance, according to the report.
Ballots burned in drop box arson in Portland, Ore. and Vancouver, Wash.
Authorities are continuing to investigate arson incidents targeting ballot drop boxes in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, where early morning fires were set on Oct. 28, the Associated Press reported. In Portland, police found that an incendiary device had been placed inside a ballot drop box, though only three ballots were damaged, and officials are assisting those affected voters with replacements. Hours later, a fire destroyed hundreds of ballots at a drop box in Vancouver’s Fisher’s Landing Transit Center, despite an internal fire suppression system.
Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey described the Vancouver incident as a “direct attack on democracy” and noted the box would now be emptied more frequently, with evening pickups to reduce overnight risks, according to the report.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Vancouver Police Department have ramped up patrols around ballot boxes, while the elections office has hired staff to monitor each of the county’s 22 ballot boxes around the clock until Election Day, KGW8 reports.
An update from investigators revealed that the suspect in the fires is an expert metalworker and may be planning more attacks, according to the Associated Press.
National Guard activated to assist Las Vegas law enforcement with security
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo announced that the National Guard will be activated to support local law enforcement on Election Day, the Las Vegas Review Journal reported. Sixty National Guard members will be on standby in facilities in Carson City and Las Vegas on Nov. 5, available to assist with traffic control, building security and communication coordination if needed. This move is intended as a proactive measure to ensure a timely response to any unforeseen challenges, such as severe weather.
Lombardo emphasized the importance of preparation, noting that the National Guard’s role will complement state and local resources, freeing up law enforcement to focus on election security, according to the report. Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar echoed this commitment, highlighting that election officials and law enforcement have long prepared for the day to maintain a safe voting process.
Man charged with intimidating early voters with machete in Neptune Beach, Fla.
An 18-year-old Florida man was arrested after allegedly brandishing a machete in a threatening manner at a Neptune Beach polling site, targeting voters with differing political views, CBS News reported.
The man faces charges of aggravated assault on a person aged 65 or older, improper exhibition of a weapon and voter intimidation or suppression after new video evidence surfaced, according to Neptune Beach Police Chief Michael Key.
The incident occurred Tuesday at the Beaches Branch Library, an early voting site. The suspect, identified as an 18-year-old, allegedly waved the machete over his head in an “aggressive, threatening” stance, facing a 71-year-old and a 54-year-old woman. The women, feeling endangered, called the police.
“The group was there for no other reason but for ill intentions, to cause a disturbance. This is not an incident of solely a First Amendment protected right, but one where they were simply there to cause a ruckus,” Key stated. “Voting in our country is one of the most sacred and protected rights we have. Ensuring everyone’s right to vote is crucial and it will not be impeded.”
Top cops are ready and supported
Several law enforcement leadership associations announced their members have had extensive training to handle the upcoming election and any issues that may arise. The Major Cities Chiefs Association, the National Sheriff’s Association and the Major County Sheriffs of America co-released a statement affirming the readiness of top cops across the country to respond to election threats.
“The MCSA and MCCA’s Intelligence Commanders groups continue to share real-time information with each other regarding any tactics or issues of notes throughout their communities to better prepare one another to know what to look for throughout this election cycle,” the statement reads. “It is critical to share information and intelligence related to the safety of polling places, ballot box collection points, the transportation of ballots for counting and certification, as well as any post-election activities.”
The associations confirmed they will provide support and resources to those protecting the polls during the days leading up to the election, on Election Day and for post-election day activities. The statement acknowledged the difficulty of providing election security while avoiding any appearance of election interference and promised to do all that was possible to promote safety at the polls.
San Diego law enforcement at the ready county-wide
With Election Day approaching, San Diego County law enforcement agencies are working together to ensure a secure voting experience, KUSI reported. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office confirmed no credible threats to the community but emphasized its readiness with enhanced monitoring and an operational center to quickly address any issues. Sheriff Kelly A. Martinez highlighted the importance of safety and assured the public that the agency respects free expression while expecting voters to act respectfully on Election Day.
“Over the last year, we have held multiple internal and external trainings in preparation for any event that might take place related to election activities,” Martinez said. “The Sheriff’s Office will have the Sheriff’s Operation Center staffed next week to quickly react and respond to any incident that could happen.”
The FBI’s San Diego office echoed the Sheriff’s statements, stating its commitment to a safe election process free of intimidation. It warned, however, that any incidents of violence or threats to national security would lead to swift investigation and accountability in coordination with state and local agencies, according to the report. Similarly, local police departments — including those in San Diego, Chula Vista and Carlsbad — affirmed their dedication to supporting a peaceful voting process through coordination and increased patrols as needed.
The San Diego Law Enforcement Coordination Center (SD-LECC) is also prepared, utilizing a real-time election dashboard to monitor polling locations and assist agencies with immediate communication, according to the report. While no credible threats have been identified, the center remains vigilant, underscoring San Diego County’s focus on voter safety for the November 5 election.
Learning from the past, preparing for the future
Baltimore County Director of Elections Ruie LaVoie has seen firsthand the danger that comes with threats of violence on election day, as well as the critical nature of efficient law enforcement response, KOAT reported.
“A voter voted, and on the way out of the polling place, they made a threat that they were going to come back in and cause harm to those that were there voting and working at the polling place,” LaVoie told KOAT.
Immediately after the threat was made, officials implemented shelter-in-place orders, stationed police at the site and shared updates with other polling locations, possibly preventing tragedy.
The threat incident LaVoie experienced occurred in 2010, but similar threats have been reported nationwide, with incidents including a man brandishing a knife at a Wisconsin polling place and a bomb threat in Kentucky’s state capitol. According to a 2024 report from the Brennan Center for Justice, over a third of election officials have faced threats.
Federal and local agencies have responded by offering de-escalation and active shooter training, along with increased security at polling locations, according to the report. In Baltimore County, LaVoie oversaw the design of a 45,000-square-foot election facility with bulletproof panels, restricted access and live-streaming cameras to protect ballots and improve transparency.
Similarly, Milwaukee County plans to deploy additional sheriff’s deputies to polling places, allowing for both enhanced security and public observation to build trust, according to the report.
Securing ballot drop boxes is also a focus. Maryland has statewide 24/7 surveillance on drop boxes, with Baltimore County adding frequent patrols and increased ballot pickups to prevent tampering. LaVoie emphasized that these efforts protect the electoral process while enabling citizens to observe and understand voting security firsthand.