Protecting voters and election officials in the 2024 US elections

Federal elections will take place in the United States in two months, on November 5th. But as people prepare for the election, both voters and election officials are facing threats and intimidation from those seeking to undermine the democratic process.

U.S. election officials should be able to do their jobs safely. Still, election administrators in Colorado and Arizona were subjected to online threats, administrators in Michigan received threatening emails, and some in Georgia, Nevada, California, Oregon and Washington received letters laced with fentanyl. A survey found that one in four local election officials experienced abuse, harassment or threats in the past two election cycles.

Voters also need protection. In a 2022 survey, 43 percent of respondents expressed concerns about intimidation or threats of violence when voting. Earlier this year, Texas officials appealed a court ruling that overturned a voter fraud conviction against Crystal Mason, a Black woman, for attempting to cast a provisional vote while on probation. Such extreme prosecutions can intimidate voters, especially those who have experience in or with the criminal system.

Recent polls indicate that 97 percent of naturalized citizens are expected to exercise their legal right to vote in November. But in Tennessee, the state government has sent letters to more than 14,000 naturalized citizens asking them to prove their citizenship before casting their vote. Meanwhile, authorities in Texas are asking people in the state to submit tips about allegedly illegal elections. These actions may lead to an increase in harassment and disenfranchisement of Latino or naturalized voters.

While these concerns are real, fortunately the United States has a vibrant network of democracy protection activists, organizations, and advocates with a long history of effectively combating violations of the rights of voters and election administrators. Human rights standards also provide governments, including those at the federal, state, and local levels in the United States, with clear guidance on how to conduct fair elections.

Government officials and voters can follow ten key principles to protect rights in the upcoming elections and ensure a safe, non-threatening environment now and in the future.