The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for February 1, 2023

Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:

Sen. Amy Klobuchar – Press Release – Klobuchar, Durbin, Colleagues Introduce Comprehensive Legislation to Address the Rise in Threats Targeting Election Workers
U.S. Senate – S.4920 – Election Worker Protection Act of 2022
Associated Press – Federal effort to boost election worker protections fizzles
CNBC –  ‘We’re going to hang you’: DOJ cracks down on threats to election workers ahead of high-stakes midterms
Brennan Center for Justice – Poll of Local Election Officials Finds Safety Fears for Colleagues — and Themselves
Groups Taking Action:
The Elections Group, Brennan Center for Justice, U.S. Election Assistance Commission

Today’s Script:  (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

Despite the hundreds of threats to election workers after the 2020 and 2022 elections, a bill in the U.S. Senate which would have made intimidation of election workers a federal crime, failed in December.  

The Election Worker Protection Act was introduced in September 2022 by Senators Amy Klobuchar and Dick Durban.  The bill was co-sponsored by 17 Senators, and had the support of 15 Secretaries of State around the country.  But it failed due to lack of Republican support prior to the end of the 117th Congress.   

Had it passed, the legislation would have provided funding for election worker safety, and made threatening, intimidating or coercing election officials a federal crime.  It would have also expanded the definition of election work to include counting of ballots, canvassing, and certification of elections.  

To prevent “doxing” – unauthorized release of an election worker’s personal information – grants would be available to help municipalities keep addresses and key information safe.   To replace those election workers who have stepped down from their posts, the bill would have provided funding for recruitment, training and retention of election workers.

Democracy advocates are hopeful the Election Worker Protection Act will be re-introduced in the new Congress.  In the meantime, states will need to take immediate action to keep the wheels of democracy turning.

We have links to the legislation, articles and groups taking action, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  For the American Democracy Minute, I’m Brian Beihl.