OLYMPIA – One in four election workers experience abuse, harassment or threats, according to the Elections and Voting Information Center at Reed College and the non-partisan Democracy Fund. A bill sponsored by Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place, will continue the legislature’s work to crack down on these threats. House Bill 1241 makes it a class C felony to threaten an election worker in writing or in person. This builds on legislation passed in 2022 that made it class a C felony to cyberstalk election officials or threaten them through electronic communications.
“To protect our democracy, we must protect those who make sure elections are fair and secure,” said Leavitt. “Make no mistake, a threat to our election officials is a threat to our democracy and must be addressed immediately and seriously.”
In the fall of 2020, belligerent threats were made against Washington’s state elections director. That state official — a constituent of Rep. Leavitt — had publicly challenged misinformation about elections, resulting in her personal information being put on a website that included a photo of the official’s face in crosshairs.
In the three and a half years since the situation on the ground for election workers continues to be threatening and dangerous. Workers have been targeted for simply doing their job to conduct fair, safe, secure and transparent elections.
“The signing of House Bill 1241 into law sends a clear message, we will protect our election workers – our unsung heroes and sheroes of democracy, and elections. Threats to their safety will not be tolerated,” finished Leavitt.
