Our Mission
The Committee for Safe and Secure Elections features cross‑partisan experts in election administration and law enforcement who aim to support policies and practices that protect election workers and voters from violence, threats, and intimidation.
CSSE believes that democracy – and the people who administer democracy – need support and protection from intimidation and violence.
We believe that law enforcement has the capacity and willingness to protect election workers and voters, a capacity that can be strengthened through training on unique aspects of the election environment.
While law enforcement and election administrators have distinct roles to play in defending elections, we believe that close coordination is mutually beneficial to further strengthen our democratic institutions.
Our Principles
Ensure adequate resources, security, and training to address emerging threats to election workers.
Election workers across the country have emphasized the importance of adequate funding to ensure the safety of election officials and workers and the security of the elections they oversee. While the specific needs differ by location, a vast majority agree that continued funding is necessary to maintain safe and secure elections.
Protect the privacy of election workers and their families as a defense against threats.
We believe it is important to strike a balance between the need for electoral transparency and personal privacy for election officials. Protecting confidentiality and personally identifying material is critical in a heightened threat environment.
Promote meaningful accountability for perpetrators of threats.
Threatening or attacking election workers and voters is unacceptable, and holding perpetrators accountable is critical to deterring such behavior in the future. We support increased dialogue between election administrators, law enforcement and policy makers about the nature of existing and potential threats, specific laws on the books for addressing them, ways to reduce public misinformation, and opportunities to improve our response to this problem.
Increase access to data about threats against election workers to support policy solutions.
It is important that there be publicly accessible mechanisms for tracking reported threats, identifying patterns in threat data, and summarizing actions taken on reported threats.
Our Members Believe in it
“Democracy can only survive and thrive if we respect and protect its values and principles. Elected officials must respect those they serve, freely act within their elected authority and act on behalf of a nation that ensures their safety so they may make decisions without fear or intimidation. That is a true democracy.”
–Sheriff Paul Penzone, Sheriff
“I joined the committee because I took an oath, along with my law enforcement colleagues, to protect and serve all persons, which is in alignment with my personal values and morals.”
–Captain Harold Love, Captain, Owner and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
“I have joined this committee because I believe in the mission and have full confidence that we will develop practices that are results driven and further strengthen the pipeline between law enforcement and election officials.”
–Derek Bowens, Director of Elections
Get Involved
Law Enforcement Quick Reference Guides summarize key penal provisions found within state law.