Should it be against the law to threaten election officials?

[msc545]

Nevada became the latest state to enforce new legislation "making it a felony to harass, threaten or intimidate election workers." According to The Associated Press, "Other states have taken similar steps to better protect election officials in recent years, including Maine, Vermont, Washington, New Mexico and Oklahoma."

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

If anyone is a politician no matter what party they represent, I feel it should be law that no one can threaten them or election officials, there are too many issues that go on with elections and I believe a law should protect the election officials as well as politicians. It's like too much dirty work with people trying to get elected, and it shouldn't be happening. But sadly it is happening and once again no one is above the law, who ever wants to run for office, and it is legal and the person has no criminal background they should be allowed to run and allow the American people make a decision who they want to be elected.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Thanks for MHO :)

[slatyb]

Of course it should be. It's generally against the law to harass or threaten anyone, whether or not they are election workers. Threatening election workers to try to induce them to change election results is not just a threat to the person, but a threat to the democratic process. As such, it is an act of insurrection and should be a Federal crime.

[OddBeMe]

I mean I’m pretty sure it is. Threats have been separated from free speech for awhile, right?

But obviously context is key. Protest crowds on both sides can get rowdy and chant bad stuff. Take Jan 6. If the Trump crowd just had a peaceful protest with their hangman’s noose- shouting “Hang Pence!”, it wouldn’t be a threat.

But since they beat cops and literally broke glass (history cough), it was a threat.

[milyjohn]

It already is, but like you've said, it doesn't get enforced. Just look at what happened to the Supreme Court justices after they overturned Roe vs Wade.

[Alex-Snow]

Yes it should... why is it mostly the MAGA folks doing this?

[msc545]

MAGA people are often relatively uneducated and of reduced intellectual ability, and are accustomed to getting what they want by physical rather than verbal means. As a result, when confronted with a disagreement with their political views, they often scream, yell, threaten, and sometimes become physically assaultive.

[Alex-Snow]

I agree 100%

[Anonymous]

It Is an offence to threaten Polling Station/Counting officials in the UK, though our procedures over here are different to the US. Where I've seen hyper partisan people who are supposed to be ensuring an unbiased voting/counting clearly harassing voters who voted for another party. So maybe the US system need to employ independent Poll Watchers from other countries that have noting invested in the US elections

[Drewtate]

Largely depends on what counts as harassing threatening or intimidating. Then also shouldn't regular people get the same protection from say blm thugs, antifa nazis, vegan meatheads, climate protestor morons?

[goaded]

Oh, look, another person who doesn't understand the nature of a threat.

Somebody inconveniencing you or telling you something you believe is wrong is not a threat. Telling someone they'll be harmed or killed if they don't do what you want is a threat. You know, like people saying they'll run over protesters.

[Drewtate]

@goaded protestors blocking your path is a threat, is harassment, is intimidation. Why can't regular people get this kind of protection

[goaded]

No it's not.

[Drewtate]

@goaded of course it is.

[BoopBoopBeep]

No. It's already illegal to threaten people. We need fewer laws not more.

[Anonymous]

i also feel like it should be against the law for "celebrities" to use their influence over their mindless followers to try and brainwash them in who to vote for. Can you imagine poor taylor swift getting railed in prison for this? :P

[AngryCarl]

I thought it was against the law to threaten anyone?

[Anonymous]

Maybe I missed a memo somewhere, but I was under the impression that threatening people was already against the law.

[KrakenAttackin]

Is it not against federal law?

[msc545]

Sort of I think but it doesn't get enforced much.

[NathanDavis]

you mean such thing is legal now?

[NathanDavis]

or just, not legislated?

[Anonymous]

Define harass, threaten or intimidate?

[msc545]

Use a Dictionary. We are not your English teachers.

[msc545]

I absolutely despise the use of this cheap rhetorical tactic used mostly by people who have no valid criticisms or input to the argument whatsoever. I would have removed this content if I could have.