From the Advocacy Committee
October 7, 2024
American Political Violence
From the January 6th Capitol Riots to threats of voter intimidation and poll worker harassment, political violence remains a pervasive force in American society as the election looms near. It goes without saying that violence should have no place in American political discourse; it is, however, a reality in today’s society, and one which voters and election workers should be prepared for and work to minimize.
This atmosphere presents a grave threat to our democracy.
Although contemporary examples dominate the news cycle, political violence has a long history in America. Before the early-19th century—when only white, male property holders had the right to vote—those who could not vote often made their voices heard through mob violence against political elites.
However, in the 20th century, political violence has more often been a tool of those in power to threaten and intimidate voters who opposed them. In many cities around the turn of the century, local political leaders often used gangs of thugs or “sluggers” to threaten and beat poll workers and would-be voters from the opposing party. Gangsters also used violence, kidnapping, and intimidation to sway elections, one example being Al Capone’s interference during a 1924 election in Chicago.
In another example, political elites in West Virginia mining towns during the early-20th century hired “mine guards” to violently suppress coal workers from unionizing and voting elites and their allies out of office.
Despite a lull in extreme political violence since the early-20th century, our country faces a heightened threat level on the eve of the 2024 election.
The listed historical examples are comparable to the ways that Donald Trump has, through his rhetoric, mobilized his supporters in recent years based on lies that the 2020 election was stolen. Last year, Trump told his supporters to “guard the vote” in 2024, a phrase which troubled democracy advocates because of its implication that violence at the polls may be necessary to prevent nonexistent fraud.
Intimidation of voters and election officials has been pervasive since the 2020 election. Nationally, one in five election workers have said they plan to quit before the 2024 election, citing threats and physical attacks against them or others as motivating factors. Gun extremists have also adopted the strategy of openly displaying firearms to intimidate protestors at events, including those related to voting rights. The presence of guns during the 2024 election could inflame tensions and increase the possibility of confrontations turning deadly.
The most infamous example of Trump using his political influence to mobilize his followers to violence is the January 6th Capitol Riots. Trump and his allies’ inflammatory lies about the 2020 election pushed his supporters to storm the Capitol. Some carried weapons and used violence against those who tried to contain them.
Voters and election workers should be cognizant of these threats and work to minimize and counter potential violence during the upcoming election. Preventing political violence of any kind is imperative to protect American democracy.
Here are some valuable resources to help prevent political violence at the polls from the website of former Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar:
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