The U.S. presidential election on November 5, concerns over potential civil unrest, misinformation, and even violence have prompted authorities to implement unprecedented security measures nationwide. As tensions run high between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump in one of the most tightly contested races in recent memory, federal and state agencies have mobilized resources to ensure that the election process remains safe and orderly.
From rooftop surveillance teams and National Guard deployments to high-tech panic buttons for election workers, the scope of security preparations reveals the fraught atmosphere surrounding the 2024 election, reflecting broader anxieties over political polarization and democratic stability. Here’s a detailed look at the security landscape across the United States as Election Day approaches.
As of Monday, the National Guard has been activated in several states including Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. National Guard units, which typically support local law enforcement during emergencies, are now on standby to assist with potential election-related disturbances. In Oregon, where some cities have experienced sporadic political protests over the last few years, authorities emphasize the importance of preparedness over necessity.
“Our role is to support civilian authorities in the event of emergencies,” explained Oregon’s National Guard spokesperson, Major General Raymond McNulty. “We’re ready to deploy if local authorities request additional assistance, but we’re hopeful that calm will prevail and no such measures will be needed.”
Similarly, Washington and Nevada have ramped up their contingencies, with both states citing a “prepared but cautious” approach to Election Day security. Nevada officials, for example, have coordinated with election offices across the state to assess potential risks, particularly in high-density urban centers like Las Vegas and Reno, where heightened political tensions and partisan demonstrations have been frequent in recent months.
At the federal level, the FBI has established a command post to monitor threats to election security and address potential incidents as they arise. FBI Director Christopher Wray assured Americans that the agency is working around the clock to mitigate threats, particularly in swing states where polling sites have seen increased foot traffic for early voting.
“Our priority is to ensure that every American can exercise their right to vote in a safe and secure environment,” Wray said at a recent press briefing. “We’re closely monitoring any indications of criminal intent or violent activity on Election Day and are coordinating with state and local law enforcement agencies to respond immediately if necessary.”
This coordinated federal and state approach also involves intelligence agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which has warned of possible foreign interference from countries including Russia, Iran, and China. According to CISA Director Jen Easterly, these nations are conducting influence campaigns to sway public opinion and potentially disrupt voting infrastructure.
“Foreign actors are using the internet, particularly social media, to disseminate false narratives and stoke partisan tensions,” Easterly said. “We have measures in place to protect critical election infrastructure and are committed to addressing any threats as they emerge.”
For election workers and poll monitors on the front lines, security measures have been tightened with new protocols and technologies. Runbeck Election Services, a prominent election service provider, confirmed on Monday that it has supplied around 1,000 panic buttons to polling locations and election offices across the country. These small, portable devices can be worn as lanyards or kept in pockets and are linked to the user’s smartphone, allowing them to alert authorities in case of an emergency.
These panic buttons are part of a broader push to safeguard the well-being of poll workers, who have faced an increase in harassment and intimidation incidents in recent years. The National Association of Election Officials has welcomed these steps as an essential response to “growing threats against election workers, who are only doing their job to uphold the democratic process.”
In battleground states like Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, election officials have spared no effort in reinforcing election facilities. Maricopa County, Arizona, which became a flashpoint for election disputes in 2020, has implemented multiple layers of security, including a reinforced perimeter around its main election office. The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office has added fencing, barbed wire, armed guards, and a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) presence on its roof.
According to Taylor Kinnerup, the communications director for Maricopa County, the security measures are meant to ensure safety for both voters and staff, as well as to reinforce public confidence in the election’s integrity.
“We’ve been working to secure our facilities since early 2021, implementing everything from badge security access systems to physical barriers around our offices,” Kinnerup said. “Our aim is to create a safe environment and prevent any potential disruptions or undue influence.”
Pennsylvania, another key swing state, has also taken an all-hands-on-deck approach. The Pennsylvania Department of State has partnered with local law enforcement and private security firms to establish multi-layered defenses around polling stations, particularly in densely populated areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Though specific details of these plans remain confidential, officials have assured the public that all possible precautions are being taken.
In addition to physical threats, officials are particularly concerned about the potential for misinformation and organized disruptions spread through social media platforms. Telegram, a popular messaging app, has reportedly become a hub for right-wing groups organizing poll watchers, some of whom plan to monitor polling stations in areas with significant Democratic voting blocs.
Election officials and cybersecurity experts warn that such actions could intimidate voters or provoke confrontations that escalate tensions. By law, all poll watchers must follow strict rules, including remaining at a designated distance from voters and polling equipment. However, previous elections have shown that enforcing these rules can be challenging in the heat of a closely contested race.
In response, CISA and the FBI have intensified their social media monitoring efforts, working to counteract misinformation campaigns by quickly debunking false claims and issuing real-time alerts. The National Guard and law enforcement agencies have also established protocols to manage potential crowds at polling sites to prevent voter intimidation.
In Washington, D.C., authorities are preparing for the possibility of post-election unrest. The capital has a history of large-scale protests, and with the divisive nature of the 2024 race, businesses have already begun boarding up their storefronts in anticipation of potential demonstrations. The D.C. police department is on high alert, while security reinforcements have been deployed near sensitive sites such as the White House, the Capitol Building, and various federal offices.
Officials have emphasized that the post-election period could see an increase in protests from both political sides, given the razor-thin margins predicted by recent polls. Law enforcement agencies are bracing for what they describe as a “fluid, unpredictable security environment” that could last for days or even weeks if the election outcome is delayed or contested.
Cybersecurity remains a central concern as well, with election infrastructure increasingly vulnerable to cyber-attacks. CISA has been in continuous coordination with state election offices to ensure that systems are resilient against hacking attempts. The agency has invested in training and software updates across the nation’s polling locations, while also deploying rapid response teams in case of any cyber incidents.
Easterly, CISA’s director, warned that foreign interference efforts have already attempted to sow distrust in the election process through coordinated disinformation campaigns. She emphasized that any potential cyber threats are being actively monitored and that election officials nationwide are prepared to counteract them.
“We are fully aware of and prepared for the tactics that foreign actors may use, from attempting to breach voting systems to spreading fake narratives about election integrity,” Easterly stated. “We are committed to ensuring that Americans can vote with confidence, knowing that we are doing everything possible to safeguard their votes.”
With Election Day drawing closer, election officials across the country are keen to reassure the public that their vote is both safe and meaningful. States have enacted over a dozen new security laws since 2020, including measures designed to protect election workers and strengthen polling station security. Yet for many voters, concerns linger as the memories of the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, and the contentious fallout of the 2020 election remain fresh.
Georgia’s Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, known for his stance against election fraud, sought to calm voter concerns on Monday. “In Georgia, it is easy to vote and hard to cheat,” he said. “We’re making sure our systems are as secure as possible and that our people are prepared for any eventuality.”
Election officials across swing states, including Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Nevada, are echoing similar sentiments, emphasizing that while they cannot control the political environment, they are doing everything within their power to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
