Jeff Fuller, a retired Special Forces officer and self-described 2020 election skeptic, heads the Republican poll-watching initiative in Prince William County, Virginia. Fuller believes that simply having poll watchers present serves as a deterrent, stating, “Everyone knows someone is watching.”
Increased GOP Efforts to Monitor Elections
Poll watching is a long-standing part of U.S. elections, with both Republicans and Democrats deploying volunteers to monitor ballot handling and counting. Their role includes reporting irregularities for potential legal follow-up. However, a more expansive Republican poll-watching initiative has taken shape, with over 175,000 volunteers signed up and training underway, according to Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley.
This effort follows deep-seated concerns about supposed widespread fraud in the 2020 election, despite such claims being widely debunked. A recent ABC News/Ipsos poll found that 66% of Trump supporters believe the 2020 election was illegitimate, fueling continued skepticism about election integrity. Fuller and his team have been training Republican poll watchers to focus on “common-sense” checks, such as verifying that voters state their name and address clearly and accurately.
Tensions Over Election Integrity and Misinformation
The GOP’s increased presence has sparked anxiety among election officials about maintaining order and preventing misinformation. Some election monitors have been accused of disruptive or intimidating behavior, as incidents in 2022 showed. For instance, in Texas, an armed poll watcher followed election workers transporting ballots, while in Arizona, masked observers stationed themselves outside ballot drop boxes. North Carolina’s Wayne County election staff reported frequent complaints from observers attempting to access voting machines and disrupt the process.
These tactics have raised concerns that the presence of so many poll watchers could contribute to baseless fraud claims, potentially undermining public trust. Brennan Center for Justice attorney Andrew Garber emphasized, “The issue arises when poll watchers are there to fulfill partisan goals or spread misinformation.”
Poll Watching and the Challenge of Maintaining Order
Some seasoned election officials are already strategizing how to handle potential conflicts, with several voicing concerns about personal safety. Isaac Kramer, Executive Director of Charleston County’s Board of Voter Registration and Elections, explained, “People immediately assume you’re doing something fraudulent, which escalates quickly.” Threats against election workers have become a mounting concern, adding pressure to an already demanding job. In response, officials have taken steps to bolster transparency and counter misinformation surrounding the electoral process.
In 2020, Tina Barton, a former Michigan Republican election officer, received death threats when results didn’t favor then-President Donald Trump. Now, Barton tours the country, helping election officials prepare for potential fallout from election misinformation. “It changes everything,” she told ABC News, describing how safety concerns have reshaped how election officials communicate and work.
Federal Concerns Over Potential Violence
A recent Homeland Security intelligence bulletin obtained by ABC News warns that “threat actors” could use unfounded election fraud claims to incite violence ahead of the 2024 general election. At least 12 people have already faced sentencing for violent threats directed at election officials or volunteers in 2020 and 2022. While Fuller and other GOP organizers maintain that their poll watchers will operate within the law, some fear an escalation if election tensions continue.
Despite the rising tension, Fuller insists he does not support threats or intimidation, stating, “I’m a partisan Republican, but I don’t want to scare anyone.” He’s aware of the fear around potential vigilante actions by some of the 175,000 GOP election monitors but counters, “It’s not true. It’s just not true.”
