Oregon, California seek to protect election workers from threats

Excerpted from Reuters

By Linda So

Lawmakers in Oregon and California are calling for tougher legislation to protect election workers in response to a continuing wave of threats and harassment inspired by former President Donald Trump's false claims that the 2020 vote was rigged against him.

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California is also considering legislation to provide stronger protections for frontline workers who administer elections. State Senator Josh Newman, a Democrat, introduced a bill on Wednesday that would give election workers the option of keeping their home addresses private. The measure is aimed at reducing harassment by preventing the public release of personal information online or on social media platforms.

“Once your personal information is on the internet, there's no shortage of people that may act on that information, especially when triggered,” said Newman. “It's got to be terrifying.”

The bill would allow election workers to enroll in California’s existing privacy protection programs that are available to survivors of domestic violence, judges and politicians, among others.