NASS Resolution on Threats of Violence Toward Election Officials and Election Workers

Adopted February 5th, 2021

Introduced by Hon. Kyle Ardoin (R-LA)
Co-Sponsored for Introduction by:
Hon. Kevin Meyer (R-AK)
Hon. John Merrill (R-AL)
Hon. Jena Griswold (D-CO)
Hon. Paul Pate (R-IA)
Hon. Scott Schwab (R-KS)
Hon. Michael Adams (R-KY)
Hon. Jocelyn Benson (D-MI)
Hon. Steve Simon (D-MN)
Hon. Michael Watson (R-MS)
Hon. Al Jaeger (R-ND)
Hon. Maggie Toulouse Oliver (D-NM)
Hon. Barbara Cegavske (R-NV)
Hon. Shemia Fagan (D-OR)
Hon. Kim Wyman (R-WA)

WHEREAS, the 2020 election cycle was the most challenging in recent memory, with a global pandemic and multiple natural disasters affecting numerous states and their election infrastructure and processes; and

WHEREAS, election workers across the country worked tirelessly under difficult conditions to ensure a fair, safe and accurate election for the more than 155 million voters in November; and

WHEREAS, based upon unrelenting misinformation and disinformation from both domestic and foreign sources, extremists have taken to threatening and endangering election workers, from Secretaries of State, state election directors, local election officials and election workers; and

WHEREAS, the cornerstone of our republic is the right of Americans to vote in a safe, secure and accurate election, and their exercising of that right; and

WHEREAS, election workers are a vital part of ensuring the exercise of that right for all eligible Americans; and

WHEREAS, violence and violent threats directed at Secretaries of State, their families, staff, and other election workers is abhorrent and the antithesis of what our nation stands for.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Association of Secretaries of State condemns, in the strongest possible terms, violence and threats of violence against election workers and calls on all leaders to denounce these dangerous occurrences. 

EXPIRES: Winter 2026