Federal authorities are warning that extremists pose a security threat this election cycle

Before the elections, there was a threat of “brutal extremists”.

US intelligence warns that violent extremists pose the biggest threat to the country’s election security.

HENNEPIN CO. (FOX 9) – US intelligence warns ‘violent extremists’ pose security threat during this election cycle.

What we know

Recent incidents in several states have put election officials on high alert after several ballot box burnings were reported.

Recently, two incidents occurred in the states of Washington and Oregon. The preliminary investigation established that individual urns were set on fire with the use of incendiary devices.

FOX 9 spoke with local election officials who said the security of the voting process and the safety of election workers is a top priority.

Expert analysis

“It’s definitely a different world of elections than when I started years ago,” said Scott County Elections Administrator Julie Hanson. “The hardest part of all of this is misinformation, misinformation, creating these divides.”

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assessment found that the threat of terrorism here at home is multifactorial and points to the potential for “violent extremist responses to socio-political events” around the election.

“We have a constant source of communication for any intelligence,” Hanson said.
Carver County officials said election workers, city and township staff received mandatory intensive safety training.

Hennepin County officials said they are working closely with multiple agencies to monitor both physical and cyber threats during this year’s election cycle.

Hanson said election officials are on high alert: “Now, there’s definitely a need for more involved conversations with local law enforcement to make sure everybody has everything we can think of for any scenario, because you just you don’t know.”

Local officials said they want the public to know they can trust the process.

“There are people like me in every district. There are people who work in elections and are proud of their work,” Hanson said. “This is a non-partisan process. I am a non-partisan election worker. I do not have, I do not declare party affiliation.”

Local officials said that fortunately there have been no recent threats in our area.

Learn more about a similar DHS report here.