Summary
This report makes recommendations for the Department of Justice to better deter threats to and protect election workers. It argues that if more steps are not taken to protect election officials, we risk replacement of many current officials by people who are less experienced or “rogue workers” who are sympathetic to conspiracies. The report recommends that the DOJ publish guidance for local law enforcement, FBI field offices, and others involved in ensuring election security. The guidance should include current statutes, ideas for improving safety of election workers, and an emphasis on DOJ’s prioritization of protecting election officials. The report could also clarify circumstances under which the DOJ thinks prosecution under federal law is appropriate, given some overlap with state law. They also recommend that the DOJ provide guidance for how to hold people civilly liable for actions in intimidating election workers, such that it could be adopted by state legislatures.