Raffensperger reaffirms law enforcement partnership for election security

ATLANTA — As part of Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s plan for election security in 2024, the secretary of state’s office is announcing a proactive effort to bolster election integrity and security.

In collaboration with law enforcement and election officials, the secretary of state’s office conducted tabletop exercises in Hall (Gainesville), Houston (Perry), and Muscogee (Columbus) counties on Jan. 19, 25 and 31, respectively. An upcoming tabletop exercise is scheduled for Lowndes County (Valdosta) in February, as well as other counties across the state throughout 2024.

The tabletop exercises brought together election officials and law enforcement representatives, including personnel from regional sheriffs’ offices and police departments. The events were facilitated by the Georgia Secretary of State’s office in conjunction with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. Additionally, Chris Harvey, the deputy director at the Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Council and a member of the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections, played a pivotal role in leading discussions during the tabletops.

“We believe that a strong relationship between law enforcement and election officials is paramount for secure and successful elections,” Raffensperger said. “These tabletop exercises strengthen our ability to safeguard our communities and protect the ballot box. We’re grateful for local law enforcement being committed partners.”

The primary objective of these exercises is to strengthen coordination between law enforcement and election officials as Georgia heads into a major election. Recognizing the critical role both entities play in ensuring secure elections, the tabletops aimed to address and implement responses to various real-life scenarios that may arise in an election cycle.

The success of these initial tabletop exercises has laid the foundation for a series of similar events planned throughout 2024. By engaging in these simulations, election officials and law enforcement personnel gain valuable insights and hands-on experience, enhancing their preparedness and coordination in the face of evolving threats to election security.