Midterm elections are just months away and the country is as divided as ever on politics. As a result, election workers with vivid memories of the contentious 2020 vote are fearful of more threats and intimidation.
That’s why our team is supporting State Senator Josh Newman’s introduction of SB 1131, a bill designed to provide protection and peace of mind to election workers in California. The bill provides these public servants with the option of keeping their home addresses confidential.
We have also announced its intention to offer one free year of online privacy protection to all personnel entrusted with administering California’s elections.
“Sadly, threats and harassment of election workers have increased significantly,” said IronWall360 CEO Ron Zayas. “There are laws in place to provide online privacy protection to professionals in law enforcement and criminal justice, and Senator Newman’s bill would extend that same protection to those who oversee our elections.”
How bad is it? A recent Brennan Center for Justice poll of local election officials found that one in six reported they have experienced threats because of their job, with 77 percent saying they feel these threats have increased in recent years. Over half reported that they are concerned about the safety of their colleagues.
No wonder, then, that 30% of election officials know of at least one co-worker who has left his or her job out of fear for their safety. This may impact the process of retaining those now employed and recruiting new workers.
If you are an election worker and would like more information on online privacy protection, or would like to sign up for this free one-year trial, learn more information about next steps here.
