About this episode
In this episode, Eric tackles the hot topic of election law as we approach the November 2024 elections. Eric took the time to address the critical intersection of law enforcement and community safety during elections. Key Topics: The Role of Law Enforcement in Elections : Eric emphasizes the essential role law enforcement plays in ensuring free, fair, and secure elections. He stresses the importance of police in preserving democracy and managing safety around polling places. Current Threat Landscape : Drawing from intelligence reports and updates from Homeland Security and the FBI, Eric discusses the rise in threats toward election officials, ballot dropbox sabotage, and swatting incidents, as well as the proactive measures law enforcement must take. Training Initiatives : Georgia's groundbreaking mandate for election law training for police officers is highlighted as an important step in preparing officers to handle election-related incidents, with a focus on de-escalation and non-threatening conduct. Legal Framework and Threats to Election Security : The episode dives deep into the balance between free speech and election security, referencing key Supreme Court cases like Brandenburg v. Ohio and Counterman v. Colorado , which outline how law enforcement should approach threats while respecting First Amendment rights. Election Threats Task Force : Created by Attorney General Merrick Garland, this task force works alongside law enforcement to investigate and prosecute threats against election workers. Eric explains the challenges and limited scope of prosecutions due to concerns about free speech. Best Practices for Law Enforcement Agencies : Eric provides actionable steps for law enforcement, including early planning, conducting tabletop exercises, fostering interagency collaboration, and supporting election officials with security assessments and recommendations. Resources: Election Law Resource Page