\u003ct-27/\u003e
Concerns about a surge in violence! As the U.S. election enters its final stages, states are stepping up security. As the U.S. election reaches its climax,
Concerns about potential political violence have prompted states to take various measures to enhance security. In Nevada, a security fence was erected around a building counting ballots in Las Vegas. In Arizona,
Some sheriffs have requested that their departments be on high alert, with drones and snipers on standby to prevent potential violent events. Governors in at least three states have requested National Guard assistance to maintain public order. In those battleground states that will ultimately decide the election results, the actions to enhance security measures are most pronounced.
Because these states are the most likely to experience political violence events. Taking Nevada as an example, after the 2020 election, supporters of former President and Republican presidential candidate Trump erupted in protests in the state.
This year, a security fence surrounded the location of some protests—the Las Vegas ballot counting center. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo stated last week,
He has launched a 'limited task force' composed of 60 National Guard members to ensure a timely response to any challenges. In Arizona, similar metal fencing has been erected at the Maricopa County ballot counting center in downtown Phoenix. The state was embroiled in election fraud controversies in 2020. Local Sheriff Russ Skinner stated,
His department will maintain 'high vigilance' against threats and violence, and he has instructed staff to be on standby at all times. 'We will deploy significant resources, a large number of personnel, and substantial equipment there.' He noted that officers will use drones to monitor activities around polling stations.
If violence occurs, snipers and other reinforcements will be on standby. He stated that 'polarization' will become more severe in the days following the election, so law enforcement will maintain high vigilance and will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any activities related to criminal acts.
In another battleground state, Michigan, in 2020, as absentee ballot counting entered its second day, Trump supporters surged into the downtown convention center of Detroit, starting to bang on windows.
This year, yellow bike racks are lined up on both sides of the avenue where the convention center is located. Visitors must pass through metal detectors, and about 15 police officers are patrolling this massive convention center. Detroit's absentee voting and special program operations director Baxter stated that police have also been deployed around the roof and buildings.
The 8-day preprocessing of mail-in ballots has been successfully completed. Absentee voting refers to providing other means for voters to exercise their right to vote when they cannot be present at the polling place for various reasons. Precautionary measures are not limited to battleground states.
Authorities in Oregon and Washington State have stated that they have activated the National Guard. In Washington D.C. and elsewhere, some storefront windows have been boarded up. Peter Simi, a sociology professor at Chapman University in California, studied threats against public officials.
He stated that the worst-case scenario is Trump losing the election and not conceding defeat. He mentioned that, unlike the 'Capitol riot' in 2021, the conflict could be 'events scattered across multiple locations,' making it more difficult for law enforcement to respond.
According to recent polling results released by American media, nearly 80% of American voters are concerned about violence occurring after the election. 41% of registered American voters are 'extremely or very' concerned about violent attempts to overturn the election results after the presidential election in early November, and 35% of voters are 'somewhat' worried about such events.
