As Tuesday's vote approaches, the United States is intensifying its security preparations in a climate of high tension and uncertainty. Exceptional measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of electoral staff and voters.
Thus, the National Guard will be on alert in several states, notably in Nevada, Washington State and Oregon, to guarantee a “safe and smooth election day”. Washington state's Democratic governor, Jay Inslee, stressed the need to prepare “fully to respond to any additional civil unrest.”
Security devices at polling stations
Faced with tensions, reinforced security devices have also been installed in certain polling stations, including emergency call buttons to quickly alert law enforcement in the event of an incident, confirmed Runbeck Election Services, a company specializing in election security. Key states, which could be decisive for the final result, are subject to increased surveillance.
In Arizona, for example, the Maricopa County election headquarters has been transformed into a veritable fortress, with metal detectors, drones monitoring the surrounding area and snipers stationed on the roofs. “We followed the recommendations of law enforcement and experts,” said Taylor Kinnerup, a representative from Maricopa County, to reassure voters and ensure the smooth running of the electoral process.
Memories of January 6, 2021
Nationally, fears of incidents are increasing, exacerbated by the statements of Donald Trump, who continues to assert without evidence that the only way for him to lose would be through electoral fraud. The Republican candidate persists in his refusal to commit to a peaceful transition in the event of defeat. In this context, several states have taken legislative measures to protect electoral staff against threats, intimidation and harassment.
In Washington, memories of the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021 still loom large in people's minds, pushing several businesses near the White House to barricade themselves to prevent potential outbursts. “In many ways, our preparations for 2024 began on January 7, 2021,” said Christopher Rodriguez, a city official. Washington police chief Pamela Smith, however, indicated that no “credible threat” currently weighs on the federal capital, although vigilance remains high.
