Maricopa County upping security efforts, preparation as Election Day nears

PHOENIX — With Election Day closing in, Maricopa County is making sure all things security are ready to go for what is anticipated to be not just a one-day affair.

Maricopa County Sheriff Russ Skinner said there would be a no tolerance policy for violence, intimidation and other threats as the state’s most populous county prepares to be under the microscope on Election Day and beyond.

That includes at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center (MCTEC), where ballots will be dropped off and counted starting on Election Day.

“I want you to be rest assured there has been immense planning for many, many years to make sure this operation for democracy … that we get those ballots back to MCTEC safely,” Skinner said at a press conference Tuesday. “We are committed to this.”

MCTEC was the central location for protestors following Election Day in 2020. Hundreds of people gathered at the center in downtown Phoenix — mainly supporters of former President Donald Trump — to express their displeasure for the process.

At one point in 2020, protestors attempted to get into the building. Different this year is that there will be fencing around the entirety of MCTEC, limiting the ability for protestors and the general public to interrupt the vote counting process.

“We just want to make sure the people inside the building are safe, secure and feel secure,” Skinner said.

What other security efforts are Maricopa County taking in preparation for Election Day?

Most of the security issues and potential protests are expected after Election Day, according to Skinner.

He said his agency will have a blackout period, meaning that deputies and other law enforcement officials will need to be ready at a moment’s notice in case of issues.

Across the county, officials are monitoring what will be more than 250 drop boxes by Election Day for nefarious activity.

Ballot boxes have been set on fire in Oregon and Washington in recent days. Maricopa County Elections Director Scott Jarrett said there are fire suppression canisters at each box in case of problems.

A week before Election Day, more than one million Maricopa County ballots had already been turned in. The county has an active voter list of 2.6 million people.

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