Snipers, drones, barriers, metal detectors, bulletproof vests and glass, anti-assault exercises: this is how America, the most powerful democracy in the world, is going to the vote on November 5th. Armored elections, with the White House and the Capitol barricaded and unprecedented security measures in a climate of growing threats, intimidation, tensions fueled by a poisoned campaign. An explosive mixture that could ignite election day or the following days, when the outcome of the polls will be known and there may not be a peaceful transition of power, as Joe Biden fears.
The alert for voting day is widespread, with election workers taking part in anti-shooting drills and learning to barricade themselves or use fire hoses to repel armed crowds. The new measures also include emergency buttons connected to the police, security cameras and GPS tracking to protect ballot papers and staff. Many election offices across the country are also stockpiling Narcan, a drug used to treat opioid overdoses, after some received ballot envelopes containing white powder with traces of fentanyl.
