The Hill…
A plan to address political violence before Election Day - 8/21/2024
The American electorate goes to the polls to exercise its franchise this fall, as it has more than a hundred times since 1788. But not since 1968 — a tumultuous year marked by assassinations, division and widespread rioting — has the threat of political violence loomed as large as it does today.
Police Executive Research ForUM - 8/17/2024
Preparing for the election: Resources for local police
“I also recommend you check out Addressing the Threat of Political Violence in the 2024 Elections: A Practical Guide for State and Local Government.” Edited by Brian Michael Jenkins, a senior adviser to the president of the RAND Corporation, this report summarizes a workshop held this spring with experts from law enforcement, national security, and the legal profession.
“THE BIGGEST CASUALTY OF SERIOUS ELECTION VIOLENCE WOULD BE THE PERCEPTION OF AMERICA’S ABILITY TO GOVERN ITSELF. THIS WOULD HAVE PROFOUND CONSEQUENCES FOR AMERICANS, THE NATION’S ALLIES, AND ITS FOES.”
WHO ARE WE AND WHY DID WE PRODUCE THIS REPORT?
In the spring of 2024, a group of senior law enforcement officials, national security analysts, attorneys, legal scholars and others initiated discussions that led to this report.
They were motivated by their shared concern for the future of the country. They had confidence in the resilience of American society––faith that American common sense would prevail. But they also worried that the country’s deep divisions and dark mood could propel even minor incidents of violence during the election cycle into a dangerous national crisis.