Election offices ramp up security after threats

Washington election offices are adding cameras, protective barriers, staff training and public observation measures after threats against workers and attacks on ballot infrastructure. KIRO 7 reported on August 4 that the changes are underway in counties across the state as officials prepare for the 2026 election cycle. A Brennan Center for Justice survey of more than 800 local election officials found nearly a third had experienced threats, harassment or abuse because of their jobs, and 23% worried about being assaulted at work or at home. King County Elections Director Julie Wise told KIRO 7 that staff had received death threats and said the climate around election administration had changed. ### Which incidents pushed security to the forefront? October 28, 2024, remains a reference point for Washington officials. The Washington secretary of state’s office said a suspected incendiary device was placed in a ballot drop box in Vancouver, and some ballots were damaged. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said at the time that his office would not tolerate threats or acts intended to undermine the election process and told voters to check ballot status online. (kiro7.com) The FBI said improvised incendiary devices were placed on ballot drop boxes in Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. on October 28, 2024. The bureau said a similar device had been placed on a Vancouver ballot box on October 8, 2024, and it is offering up to $25,000 for information leading to the suspect’s identification, arrest and conviction. ### What are counties adding inside election offices? (sos.wa.gov) King County has added security cameras, new staff training and ballistic film on facility windows, according to KIRO 7. The county’s elections department says more than 85 security cameras monitor its building around the clock, with alarms on doors and high-security areas, credential checks for staff and visitors, and coordination with the Sheriff’s Office. (fbi.gov) Pierce County has added bullet-resistant coating to some glass and brought in an armed deputy to monitor its ballot-processing facility during elections, according to KIRO 7. Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer said in a 2024 KING 5 interview that her office also expanded emergency training for workers, equipped drop-box staff with high-visibility gear and added shatterproof glass along the observation corridor after a threatening envelope forced an evacuation during the 2023 general election. (kiro7.com) ### How are officials trying to secure ballot drop boxes? King County ballot collection and logistics supervisor Steve Barron told KIRO 7 that county drop boxes are bolted to the ground, contain fire-extinguishing canisters and use tamper-resistant seals. Snohomish County says two trained employees must be present during ballot collection, that each pickup is logged, and that sealed ballots are transported directly to the processing center under chain-of-custody procedures. (yahoo.com) July 29, 2024, marked another step in that effort when the Washington secretary of state’s office said it had distributed about $2 million to 29 county elections offices under a statewide security funding program. The office said counties could use the money for software and hardware upgrades, IT security staff and structural improvements, and listed ballot-drop-box security, monitoring devices, barriers and cybersecurity training among the uses. (kiro7.com) ### Why are counties emphasizing transparency alongside security? Snohomish County has made public observation part of its security posture. The county says its Elections Center is designed to be secure, efficient and transparent, and allows visitors to observe ballot processing, accuracy tests, audits and canvassing board meetings. The county also offers observer information sessions and says all election activities are open to the public for observation, subject to rules intended to protect vote secrecy and safety. (sos.wa.gov) King County says visitors can walk an observation loop inside its elections office to watch ballots move from sorting to scanning. The county also says observers from both political parties are requested to be on site for every election, and that reconciliation reports are posted online for each election’s results page. ### What are officials telling voters to do now? (snohomishcountywa.gov) Washington officials are directing voters to track their ballots rather than rely on rumor or speculation. The secretary of state’s office said voters whose returned ballots are not marked “received” can print a replacement ballot or visit a local elections department for one. Snohomish County says voters can also check ballot status through VoteWA.gov, though it may take 3 to 5 business days for processing updates to appear. (kingcounty.gov) October 12 is the next listed 2026 observer information session at the Snohomish County Elections Center in Everett, according to the county’s public schedule. County offices across Washington continue to post observation opportunities, canvassing-board meetings and ballot-status tools online as election activity ramps up. (snohomishcountywa.gov) (sos.wa.gov)