Officials in Durham, North Carolina, are gearing up to open their new $24 million elections operations center later this year, with an added feature to ensure safety and security. The decision to include a separate mail-room exhaust system was prompted by a series of suspicious letters, some containing fentanyl, that targeted election offices across the country last year.
The heightened security concerns were felt by Derek Bowens, Durham County's elections director, who expressed fears of potential targeting due to the county's political significance. While Durham did not receive any of the threatening letters, the incident sparked mass concern among officials.
A recent survey of nearly 930 local election officials revealed a significant shift in security measures post-2020. The survey highlighted that 92% of officials have taken actions to bolster security, including enhancing cybersecurity, collaborating with law enforcement on emergency response plans, and fortifying physical security at offices and polling places.
Worryingly, the survey also indicated a rise in harassment and threats towards election officials, with 38% reporting such incidents – a notable increase from the previous year. Additionally, 7 out of 10 officials felt that threats had escalated since 2020, with concerns extending to the safety of colleagues and staff.
Amidst these challenges, the survey underscored the resilience of election officials, with three-quarters of them persevering despite the adversities. However, the need for increased financial investments was emphasized, as 83% of officials believed that budgetary growth was essential to meet evolving election administration and security requirements over the next five years.
As Durham County prepares for upcoming elections, measures such as the deployment of new technology, duress buttons, bullet-proof glass, and GPS tracking devices for polling place workers are being implemented to safeguard the electoral process and protect workers. Despite the daunting circumstances, Bowens commended the resilience of election officials, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to upholding democracy.
