Local election leaders in North Dakota do not feel like political violence is something they will encounter but a new national poll added to the list of concerning sentiments among voters, keeping offices on their toes.
In the latest new PBS/Marist poll, one in five U.S. adults believes Americans may have to resort to violence to resolve political divisions. The level of acceptance was higher among Republicans. The results follow lingering false claims about the outcome of the 2020 presidential race.
Marisa Haman, auditor for Ward County, does not express great worry about attacks or threats happening in her jurisdiction but in the current climate, safety is a priority.
“Making sure things are secure, election workers are prepared on what to do if something is to happen,” Haman explained.
She added there is coordination between her office, first responders and local law enforcement agencies close to an election. With the 2024 race for the White House taking shape, the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol led by supporters of former President Donald Trump remains a talking point as he tries to reclaim the presidency.
Just like election misinformation, Haman encouraged voters feeling a sense of outrage about the political landscape to seek out reliable information, suggesting it could give them a more measured outlook. For those with more of an open mind, signing up to be a poll worker is something to consider.
“Volunteer for election work,” Haman urged. “That’s probably the best way to see how things are handled and understand the process.”
As for trusted information, she added the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office should top the list, noting it guides county auditors in carrying out elections. For voters worried about heightened political tensions, Haman encouraged them to take advantage of options such as mail-in voting.
Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.
