Federal prosecutors are issuing a strong warning to individuals who make threats against election officials, emphasizing that such actions will be met with full prosecution. With the upcoming November presidential election in the United States, authorities are leaving no room for tolerance towards any form of intimidation or harm directed at those involved in the electoral process.
The Biden administration has been actively pursuing these cases through its Election Threats Task Force, which was established in June 2021 to address the multitude of threats that election workers encountered after the 2020 presidential election.
During a press conference in Arizona on Monday, John Keller, the official in charge of the force’s day-to-day operations, informed reporters that the force has initiated numerous investigations into threats made to election officials.
According to him, around 20 defendants have been charged in those cases, leading to 13 convictions.
According to Keller, out of those convictions, 10 defendants have already received their sentences. Notably, seven of them have been given jail terms ranging from 18 months to 3 1/2 years. This indicates the high level of seriousness with which the federal courts are approaching this conduct.
He expressed his deep concern about the current situation where the election community is being blamed, singled out, and subjected to attacks. He finds it unacceptable and believes that not only does it harm the individuals involved, but it also poses a threat to the pool of experienced election officials who play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth running of our elections.
Joshua Russell, a 46-year-old man from Ohio, has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. This comes after he sent death threats to the office of Katie Hobbs, who was serving as Arizona’s secretary of state at the time. The sentencing was handed down on Monday, marking a significant consequence for his actions in 2022.
In August, Russell admitted to the charge of making a threatening interstate communication. He sent a string of voicemails to Hobbs, who currently serves as Arizona’s governor, threatening her life from August 2 to November 15, 2022.
Russell’s conviction follows closely on the heels of another case involving James Clark, a resident of Falmouth, Mass. Clark, aged 38, was recently sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison for making threats to blow up Hobbs using an explosive device. This incident occurred in the aftermath of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.
In late February, authorities charged a man from Alabama with threatening Arizona election workers in Maricopa County back in August 2020.
According to Gary Restaino, the U.S. attorney for the district of Arizona, there has been a noticeable trend of out-of-state individuals threatening Arizona’s election officials. He stated that there have been seven federal cases related to this issue.
According to Restaino, this collective of election officials in Arizona, just like their counterparts nationwide, has been subjected to a relentless wave of baseless hostility simply for faithfully and consistently carrying out their responsibilities.
According to federal officials, the threats not only pose a risk to the targeted election workers, but also to the very foundation of U.S. democracy. These threats have resulted in many experienced officials leaving their positions.
According to a report released in March 2022 by the Brennan Center for Justice, local election officials have seen a significant increase in threats against them in recent years. More than 75% of these officials reported experiencing heightened threats, with nearly 33% knowing at least one colleague who has left their job due to concerns for their safety.
According to Keller, election officials in various parts of the country are stepping down from their positions due to the alarming rise in threats and harassment. The reasons behind their resignation often stem from the safety concerns faced by themselves, their colleagues, and even their families.
According to Restaino, many of the cases have a common factor. Specifically, there are individuals who deny the outcome of elections and express a desire to violently retaliate against those they believe have wronged them. Often, these individuals even go as far as threatening arrests and executions for treason.
He stated that vigilantism is not protected by the Constitution.
According to Keller, election workers carefully assess every reported threat to determine if it warrants charges. He emphasized that not all threats necessarily result in legal action.
He emphasized that their efforts to ensure accountability for individuals who intimidate election workers are ongoing, and the department will persistently pursue any individuals who criminally threaten or target the election community.
According to him, this behavior is insidious and could have serious consequences for both individual victims and the overall integrity of the election administration institution.
