Ongoing election harassment has vulnerable secretaries of state asking for protection and 'real consequences'

"Stop the Steal" sign.
(Image credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Secretaries of state in places like Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, among others, are still living in "constant terror" after being targeted by former President Donald Trump's allegations of widespread election fraud, CNN reports.

The ongoing problem is unique in that it's relatively novel — law enforcement, as well as the federal government, hasn't traditionally had to protect the "mundane" work of the secretary of state, writes CNN. But, considering the roles "enormous power in administering elections," they are now being targeted by angry constituents. Unfortunately, given the lack of precedent, offices don't have the budgets to monitor threats, nor are there protection systems in place (on a state or federal level), which is leading to "long-term emotional and psychological trauma" for officials and staffers alike, per CNN.

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Brigid Kennedy

Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.