Donate
New Democracy Maps
/News /New MAP Report: The Threat of Voter Intimidation in the Midterms and How to Stop It

New MAP Report: The Threat of Voter Intimidation in the Midterms and How to Stop It

MEDIA CONTACT:   
Rebecca Farmer, Movement Advancement Project
rebecca@mapresearch.org | 303-578-4600 ext 122

November 1, 2022 — In advance of the midterm election next week, the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) released a new report, Threatening Democracy: Voter Intimidation in the U.S., which outlines historical and current ways that voter intimidation has been deliberately used to keep voters from the polls – and what can be done to stop it.  

The report comes just days after a federal judge ruled that vigilantes in Arizona could stake out ballot drop boxes, a concerning ruling at a time when voter intimidation is on the rise in that state and around the country. It also comes as Governor Ron DeSantis Florida sent SWAT teams to invade the homes of voters with prior felony convictions, even though they had been authorized to vote by their local election offices—a tactic which is already frightening others away from voting. 

The new report from MAP details which states are most at risk of voter intimidation and lays out a road map for how states can ensure that every eligible voter is able to cast their vote without fear of harassment or violence. 

"Voter intimidation should be concerning to everyone who believes in a fair and free democracy. But what’s even more concerning is that the rising tide of voter intimidation is actually often being coordinated by politicians who would rather win at any cost than uphold democracy,” said Ineke Mushovic, Executive Director of Movement Advancement Project.  “Our guidelines provide best practices every state should put in place, and we also provide a list of intimidation tactics to watch for this election in early voting and on Election Day.” 

The report identifies essential ways to help stem the resurgence of voter intimidation:  

  • Proper regulation of partisan poll watchers: States can allow poll watching while also preventing voter intimidation by ensuring proper regulation and training. For example, election officials must be allowed to remove poll watchers who interfere with voting, are threatening, or who are otherwise disruptive.  
     
    Similarly, states should set clear guidelines for where poll watchers can be present within polling places and what they are allowed to do. States that allow partisan poll watchers to move through a polling place with little to no restrictions, for example, increase the likelihood of voter intimidation. Poll watchers should be able to observe election officials but should not be allowed near a voting booth.  
     
    All poll watchers should be required to undergo robust training to ensure they understand proper election procedures and to combat misinformation. 
     
  • Banning firearms in polling places: Only 10 states explicitly ban guns from polling places, including unlikely states such as Arizona and Texas. Voters in at least 28 states have reported seeing guns at polling places, which can both intimidate voters and even keep them from casting their vote.  
     
  • Properly regulating law enforcement at polling places: The general presence of law enforcement at polling places can result in a sharp reduction in voter turnout. This is particularly true for Black voters who faced a long history of harassment, intimidation, and violence from police. States should have clear guidelines on when law enforcement can be present at polls and what their role should be if they are called to a poll for security concerns, for example.  

"A core tenet of a democracy is that every eligible voter should feel safe and unpressured when casting their ballot. Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more intimidation, pressure and harassment at the polls and ballot drop boxes. What we see in this midterm must inform what legislatures do next year to protect our democracy,” said Mushovic.  

The Movement Advancement Project’s Democracy Maps tracks 45 laws and policies related to elections and voting, with comprehensive democracy profiles for each state.  

Stay Informed

Be the first to know about new reports and MAP news by signing up for our newsletter

Democracy Maps

Equality Maps

Policy

Communications

Open to All

About

A Brief Overview of MAP

Founded in 2006, the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) is an independent, nonprofit think tank that provides rigorous research, insight and communications that help speed equality and opportunity for all.

MAP works to ensure that all people have a fair chance to pursue health and happiness, earn a living, take care of the ones they love, be safe in their communities, and participate in civic life. MAP is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and donations to MAP are 100% tax-deductible. You can read more about MAP and the work we do on our About page.

Get in Touch

Get Social

Copyright © 2024 Movement Advancement Project

Login

Forgot your password?

Request User Access

A limited set of materials is restricted to the staff and board members of LGBTQ movement organizations. Click below to request user access.

Join MAP

View our privacy policy.

Sexual Orientation Policy Tally

The term “sexual orientation” is loosely defined as a person’s pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to people of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or more than one sex or gender. Laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation primarily protect or harm lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. That said, transgender people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual can be affected by laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation.

Gender Identity Policy Tally

“Gender identity” is a person’s deeply-felt inner sense of being male, female, or something else or in-between. “Gender expression” refers to a person’s characteristics and behaviors such as appearance, dress, mannerisms and speech patterns that can be described as masculine, feminine, or something else. Gender identity and expression are independent of sexual orientation, and transgender people may identify as heterosexual, lesbian, gay or bisexual. Laws that explicitly mention “gender identity” or “gender identity and expression” primarily protect or harm transgender people. These laws also can apply to people who are not transgender, but whose sense of gender or manner of dress does not adhere to gender stereotypes.

Choose a State or Territory

States

Territories

Choose an Issue

Sort by Category Sort Alphabetically

Choose a State or Territory

States

Choose an Issue

Sort by Category Sort Alphabetically