Montco Prepares For Election Interference, Irregularities

NORRISTOWN, PA — Law enforcement in Montgomery County is preparing to handle potential election interference and related threats to democracy on Election Day, they said in a new conference Tuesday detailing their preparations.

A special Election Tip Line has been set up — 610-292-2024 — for residents to report any suspicious activity around ballot boxes or at the polls, or any threats to public officials.

"We will not tolerate abuse of public officials, threats to election officials or abuse of individuals helping out at the drop box locations," District Attorney Kevin Steele said in a statement. "Period."

Specifically, authorities said the Tip Line should be used for any potential vandalizing or damaging of ballot boxes, or any suspicious activity seen relating to the election.

Montgomery County Detectives will investigate all tips, and potential threats will be undertaken by the newly created Threat Assessment Management Unit, which was created specifically to handle issues that damage the community at large.

“To anyone thinking about disrupting this election in any way, I’m here to tell you that
my office, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau and the entire Montgomery County law
enforcement community, is standing together to make sure that we have a fair and safe
election, not only on Nov. 5th, but also in the next 50 days leading up to it,” Steele added.

On Election Day, a special team of prosecutors and detectives will be "ready to assist" in the event of any compromising incidents.

While security is certainly heightened for 2024, these are not unusual precautions. An Election Tip Line has been set up for previous elections, and a countywide Election Day team is always on hand.

Related: Montco Doubles Election Offices In Effort To Increase Voter Turnout

Montgomery County has already doubled its voter services offices in an effort to improve election accessibility and set record turnout in 2024. To see all drop boxes and voter service offices across the county, see here.

In addition to the Election Tip Line, concerns can be forwarded the assistant district attorney's office at [email protected].

Election Day is Nov. 5.