Security tightens ahead of Election Day in Arizona

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Voters will see greater security at polling places on Election Day in Arizona.

US Department of Justice sends observers to polling places in Arizona to help keep track of things.

This is nothing new as they did the same thing back in 2020. This time, however, they plan to visit more counties in Arizona and more states across the country.

“I would like to send a message to Arizona voters. First and foremost, your safety is critical to us,” he said. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.

As Election Day approaches, security is a top priority across the state.

“The last thing our community needs is to be afraid to come out and vote. The last thing officials and people working in elections should do is be afraid of it. We don’t live in fear,” Fontes said.

On the eve of Election Night, state and county leaders are reminding voters of the work they do around the clock to keep everyone safe.

“This is no different from a major event that any law enforcement agency is planning. Unfortunately, this has to do with election security. Since 2020, most of you have noticed dynamic changes in what we do with Table Center.” Maricopa County Sheriff Russ Skinner said.

He added that law enforcement from across the Valley will be stationed at the ballot box and DPS will also be ready to help.

“To make sure that democracy is maintained and we get those ballots back into technology,” Skinner said.

The Justice Department is sending teams to monitor election activities in 27 states, including Arizona. They are heading to Apache, Maricopa, Pima and Yuma counties.

These observers will travel through counties to ensure that federal voting laws are not violated and that eligible voters are not turned away.

Runbeck Election Services, company which works with 30 states and works from Phoenixoffers another security tool.

“We recently started selling panic buttons to counties because of all the threats to poll workers,” said Jeff Ellington, who heads Runbeck Election Services.

The company said it has sold about 1,000 of these panic buttons nationwide. When pressed, they immediately call 911.

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