False Claims of Ballot Fraud in Georgia Election Cause Harm to Poll Workers and Fuel Division
The false claims of ballot fraud in Georgia’s 2020 election have left poll workers at risk and have had a lasting impact on their lives and the country. The allegations, perpetuated by former US President Donald Trump and his allies, continue to plague the lives of poll workers, showing no signs of abating as the next general election approaches.
Chris Harvey, a former law enforcement official turned elections director for Georgia’s secretary of state, experienced the consequences firsthand when he received a threatening call in January 2021. The threat, posted on the dark web with a picture of his home and address, left him concerned for the safety of his wife and four children.
Harvey is just one of several Georgia officials who found themselves targeted by 2020 election fraud allegations propagated by Trump and his campaign team in an attempt to challenge their loss to Joe Biden in the battleground state. Now, Trump and 18 others face charges related to the alleged plot, while the former president denies the allegations and accuses the district attorney of a politically motivated attack.
The consequences of the unfounded claims of election fraud have been severe for election workers across the country. Stalking, intimidation, and death threats have become a part of their lives. Election officials are bearing the brunt of the abuse, highlighting the need for law enforcement to take these threats seriously and recognize that they endanger the entire democratic process.
In Georgia, some of Trump’s alleged co-conspirators are charged with targeting election workers. Rudolph Giuliani, Trump’s former personal attorney, falsely claimed that Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss mishandled ballots in Fulton County, a reliably Democratic district. Others traveled from out of state to harass Freeman, leading to violent threats against her and her daughter. Freeman and Moss testified last year before a congressional committee, blaming Trump for the US Capitol riot and revealing that they had to go into hiding, losing their sense of security and reputation in the process.
The threats didn’t stop at the election workers. Georgia’s top Republican election officials, including Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and voting system implementation manager Gabriel Sterling, also faced violent threats. The state, where Trump narrowly lost by fewer than 12,000 votes, became a target for the outgoing president’s attempts to overturn the election results.
Unfortunately, this trend is not limited to Georgia. Election officials across the country have experienced an uptick in threats, harassment, and abuse since 2020. According to a poll conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice, 30% of local election workers reported being abused, harassed, or threatened due to their jobs. Many have been forced to abandon their homes, and some have even had their pets harmed.
The recent indictment in Georgia against those who propagated election conspiracies and allegedly harassed workers has brought a sense of justice for some. But for others, it serves as a stark reminder of the deep divisions in the country. Deidre Holden, the director of elections in Paulding County, expressed shock at the indictment and emphasized the need to learn from the 2020 election and move on to heal the divisions in the country, rather than fueling the fire of division.
Accountability is crucial to deter future incidents and to show that there are consequences for threatening violence over elections. Indictments and prosecutions need to be made to ensure that the world sees the consequences clearly.
The impact of the false claims of ballot fraud in the 2020 election is far from over. It continues to fuel division in the country, and as the 2024 election approaches, we will likely still be living with the aftermath of the 2020 election for years to come.
The allegations and threats have taken a toll on election workers, who are simply doing their jobs and serving their communities. It is essential to recognize that they deserve the same justice and protection as any other victim of crime, and those responsible must be held accountable.
