People stand in a long line waiting to vote in Madison, Wisconsin. Scott McDonell, Dane County clerk, recently shared some of the dangers facing election workers in Wisconsin. | Jim Witkins/Twitter
People stand in a long line waiting to vote in Madison, Wisconsin. Scott McDonell, Dane County clerk, recently shared some of the dangers facing election workers in Wisconsin. | Jim Witkins/Twitter
Dane County, Wisconsin, Clerk, Scott McDonell, has his doubts about the Madison City County Building being equipped to do the job it was built for.
"This building is not a secure building," McDonell told WKOW. "It's got way too many entrances and exits. It's not set up for elections."
McDonell’s reservations linger despite the building having been equipped with electronic locks, cameras, and bullet-proof barriers since the 2020 election was held there. In addition, workers at polling places and in McDonell's office are being provided with active shooter training and learning how to respond to sudden attacks.
Still, McDonell’s concerns persist, and he’s not alone.
"Anyone who unlawfully intimidates voters or threatens election officials should expect to be held accountable," Wisconsin Attorney General, Josh Kaul said in a release, according to WKOW.
Since the 2020 election, threats, and violence against election workers across the state are at an all-time high, with some receiving death threats, WKOW reported.
Kaul said he felt compelled to issue a warning to the state after the Department of Justice Election Threats Task Force reported cases of harassment against election workers across the United States topped 1,000.
"The city clerk's gotten death threats, the Milwaukee clerk's gotten death threats, election commission staff has just been harassed," McDonell said. "And it seems to be, you know, something that's going on around the country."
The best solution to protect election staff and city employees is to build a new facility, McDonnell said.
He recently came to an agreement with Dane County Executive Joe Parisi to invest $12 million in a new facility that will feature thicker walls, bulletproof glass, gated parking, weapons screening, and security checks, according to WKOW. McDonnell said he hopes the building is completed at some point in 2024.
"It's kind of a scary reality that we're in now," McDonell said. "If we're going to keep people in these jobs, we have to make sure we protect them."
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