Amidst growing concern for the safety of election workers, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., has put the wheels in motion for an inquiry aimed at ensuring better protection and the efficient running of elections. In a letter dropped earlier this week, Ossoff called upon the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI to outline their current strategies and response efforts to threats against election personnel.
Highlighting the essential role of these workers in the Democratic process, Ossoff's letter, as Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) reported, stated "Protecting the integrity of our elections depends on protecting those who run them." This outreach stems from reports that election workers in Georgia, and elsewhere in the nation, have experienced a concerning uptick in intimidation, harassment, and the threat of violence against them.
In his call to action, Ossoff referenced a disquieting statistic: a survey conducted earlier this year revealed that 38% of participating election officials had faced harassment or abuse related to their posts. Such alarming incidence indicates a formidable challenge to maintaining a free and fair electoral process.
Ossoff has not been solitary in his efforts. He joined forces with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., in February to advocate for increased federal funding dedicated to enhancing election infrastructure, advancing technology and fortifying cybersecurity to parry new forms of election interference. Klobuchar, who helms the Senate Rules Committee, exercises oversight over federal elections and has been pivotal in the push for bolstered election security.
