Statement from Chairman Neal Kelley, Sheriff Justin Smith (Ret.), and Chris Harvey on Swatting

A week into this new year, an election year, election officials and law enforcement have already faced bomb threats and various swatting incidents aimed at election officials around the country. These threats of violence and intimidation are unacceptable and the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections (CSSE) firmly condemns them. Swatting, where false emergency calls are made to draw a heavily armed police – or “SWAT team” – response to a specific location, is dangerous and disruptive.

Law enforcement plays a critical role in preventing and responding to swatting incidents. Swatting attempts to intimidate and silence targeted individuals, and poses a risk to the democratic process and public safety. To help thwart swatting attempts, particularly against those who maintain our free and fair elections, election officials can:

Ensure your elections office establishes a dialogue with a local police or sheriff representative who may be designated as the elections liaison.
Provide the liaison with the names and physical home addresses of election officials and key or higher risk staff, specific locations of voting centers and counting facilities, and any other relevant election-related locations within your jurisdiction.
Ask law enforcement if it’s possible to have a flag put into their computer-aided dispatch system to alert 9-1-1 staff and responding officers of the nature of those locations, with a specific note about concerns regarding swatting.
Provide police and 9-1-1 staff with 24-hour cell phone numbers for critical elections staff who can be reached in the event of possible false reports.
Encourage police to confer with federal authorities such as the FBI or DHS on current trends in swatting, as well as ways to spot indicators of swatting calls/reports.
Establish protocols for communication between elections staff at the local, regional and state levels to share information in the event that one or more jurisdictions experience a swatting call so that others can be alerted to be on the lookout for similar incidents within their jurisdiction.
Train your staff to remain calm in the event of such an episode in your jurisdiction and consult with your local police on an area-specific protocol to quickly and succinctly relay to responding officers that everyone is safe.
Maintain best protocols to ensure security plans remain confidential for the safety of the public.

The Committee for Safe and Secure Elections remains committed to promoting safe and secure elections for all Americans. We will not be deterred by these cowardly acts, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that every voice is heard and every vote is counted.

“Election officials are the heroes of our democracy, working harder than almost anyone I know to ensure that every one of us can exercise our fundamental right to vote. The intimidation and threats against these dedicated officials and their families must stop."

Kathy Boockvar
Vice President of Election Operations and Support, Center for Internet Security

“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
Maricopa County, Arizona

“Access to the ballot should not be stymied in any manner, nor should we ever lose valuable election officials because they are worn down from harassment, fear, threats and undue job hardships created to alter public faith in the electoral process. "

Kathy Holland
Director of Elections, Alamance County North Carolina (Ret.)
“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
Michigan State Police (Ret.), Owner and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Harold J. Love & Associates

“The 2020 election cycle brought many challenges for election officials, but the most shocking for me were the death threats, verbal assaults, intimidation, and scare tactics. I am one of the election officials that had my life and the lives of my family members threatened, and the threats have not ceased."

Tina Barton
Senior Elections Expert, The Elections Group

“My dad was a city clerk. Elections were a central and cherished part of his job. I joined this committee to ensure that today’s election officials can keep America’s elections running safely and securely, just like he did."

Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian
Middlesex County, Massachusetts
“Election officials are unsung heroes of American democracy—they make sure our system operates as intended. Threats to these public servants are an attack on democracy itself. Law enforcement and election officials working together can help chart a safer and more secure path forward for future elections."

Orion Danjuma
Counsel, Protect Democracy

“Safe, secure, transparent elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. CSSE members recognize the great responsibility associated with election administration and embrace public accountability to ensure that all eligible voters can freely exercise their right to vote and have their ballots counted. We make it a point to welcome and encourage those who want to peacefully observe this fundamental democratic process."

Neal Kelley
Registrar of Voters (Ret.) Orange County, California

“As an election official who experienced the verbal threats and intimidation directed at me and my staff I feel I must be a voice on this committee to work with law enforcement to address this issue."

Joseph Gloria
Registrar of Voters, Clark County, Nevada
“Election workers are the guardians of our democracy, and attacks on them for doing their jobs are unacceptable. I’m proud to stand with and in support of this group of law enforcement and election officials, who are working on practical solutions to keep our elections safe and secure."

Larry Norden
Senior Director, Elections & Government, Brennan Center for Justice

“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, Durham County, North Carolina