Arizona polling locations step up despite security threats ahead of Election Day : NPR

PHOENIX — Barbed wire. Six-foot-tall iron barred gate. Badge access door.

These are the elements around one polling place in the Phoenix area. It’s a public school district office, and the superintendent there said those precautions are why he’s comfortable using it as a polling place.

The superintendent spoke to NPR last week on condition of anonymity out of concern about the growing threat. He said his district used to have 17 polling locations. That number is currently one, and the only options include high-security district offices.

Since the last presidential election in 2020, authorities have worked to physically strengthen buildings where voters can vote and where vote counting takes place. And while some are reducing their involvement, others are opening their doors.

“What happened was the rhetoric became stronger, loftier, louder. That made me, from a safety standpoint, a front-page incident on my campus. We have made the decision that we cannot do so,” the superintendent said. . “This is one step below Fort Knox.”

As voters head to the polls or mail in their ballots across Arizona, officials are making the safety and security of polling places and election counting a top priority.

Maricopa County is home to 60% of Arizona voters. With a population of more than 4 million people, this county is one of the largest in the country and one of the battleground counties likely to determine control of the White House.

Some officials are scared.

A sign that reads “Vote Drop Box” is seen in Phoenix, Arizona on October 9, 2024.

Ash thinks deeply about NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Ash thinks deeply about NPR

The school’s superintendent must ask voters not to carry weapons or protest too close to comply with state election law, which prohibits carrying weapons or campaigning within 75 feet of a polling place. I recall that there was.

Still, he wants to give as much as he can. In other words, we want to provide one highly secure district office.

“As a large school district, I want to be a contributor that makes a difference in the community,” he said. “School is a community.”

Other schools have also withdrawn from their role as polling places, and other election offices are feeling threatened. Just last week, the Arizona Democratic Party chose to close its Tempe field office following a third attack involving a firearm.

The state of Arizona is FBI reported Unusual level of threat to election officials.

“That’s one of the biggest challenges: making sure we have enough churches and community centers to replace the schools that have largely gone out of the polling business,” said Maricopa County Recorder Steven, a Republican who oversees counting and registration.・Mr. Richer said.

Since the last presidential election in 2020, authorities have worked to physically strengthen buildings where voters can vote and where vote counting takes place. And while some are reducing their involvement, others are opening their doors.

step up to serve

As polling places were moved, Richer and staff at the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office asked for new polling places to fill the gap. Richer said the county also paid to rent additional suitable space.

One organization Mr. Richer thanked for meeting this need was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Arizona. This year, the church says it will offer 30 polling locations, more than in past cycles.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer works in his office in Phoenix, Arizona, on October 11, 2024.

Caitlin O’Hara/NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Caitlin O’Hara/NPR

“We’re doing this because it’s really a service to the community,” said Arizona LDS Church spokeswoman Candace Kopple. “We have church members from both political parties and from all walks of life. We value the privilege of voting and want to help by making it easy for people to vote.” ”

Chandler West Stake President Dan Szukapić was among the first church leaders to use church facilities as polling places.

“Citizen participation is essential for the maintenance and improvement of society, no matter the area of ​​interest,” said Šukapić. “It is our hope that by opening our meeting places as voting locations, we will make it easier for everyone in our community to participate in the electoral process and have their voices heard.”

This dedication to civic engagement resonates with Deanna Villanueva Saucedo, vice president of the Center for Inclusive Democracy within the Maricopa Community College System.

“We are really excited about the fact that we can provide this important service to the community,” Villanueva-Saucedo said.

Like churches, Maricopa Community College has seen its locations increasingly used as voting locations this year.

October 9, 2024. Diana Villanueva Saucedo, vice president of the Center for Inclusive Democracy at the Maricopa Community College System in south Phoenix, Arizona.

Ash thinks deeply about NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Ash thinks deeply about NPR

“One of the reasons we were created was to support the fulfillment of civic life, the full realization of democracy,” Villanueva-Saucedo said. “So it’s really important for us as a system to provide those services to the communities that we serve.”

Both Kopple and Villanueva-Sauced said they have heard of incidents with other groups, but have never received any threats or intimidation.

Villanueva-Saucedo said campus security and city police already have protocols in place for holding events on public campuses. This would give universities the freedom to focus on nonpartisan voter education, including voter status and how to verify voting information.

“That’s what we always do,” Villanueva-Sacedo said. “The most exciting thing about this year is that we are able to host more vote centers than ever before.”

Contributed by Ailsa Chang, Noah Caldwell, and William Troop.