(The Situation Update Report [SUR] is a near real-time brief of a possible threat or situation being monitored by The Counter Threat Center. The information is accurate at the time of reporting, but may be subject to change.)
Alice Cian, Jacob Robison, NORTHCOM
Finley Thomas, Angelina Sammarco, Editor; Elena Alice Rossetti, Senior Editor
November 2, 2024
Polling Station[1]
Current Situation: Georgia Republican Party Chairman Josh McKoon shared an alleged leaked email from Fulton County’s Registration Manager Kathryn Glenn which instructed the registration office team to prohibit poll watchers from entering buildings used for ballot drop-off in Fulton County, Georgia.[2] McKoon later confirmed that watchers could observe voting activity following online and legal pressure from Republican officials and citizens.[3]
Day/Time of event: November 2, 2024
What is the current threat:
Trump supporters will likely exploit the alleged email about security teams preventing poll-watching as further evidence of election manipulation attempts by Democrats. The email will very likely legitimize general claims about a perceived lack of transparency in voting procedures.
Trump supporters will likely view the reversal of the alleged blocking initiative as a victory for those convinced the election will likely be rigged. The reversal will likely signal to these individuals that pressure is an effective tool to control alleged electoral fraud, likely encouraging similar actions in the event of comparable situations.
Republican Party (GOP) actors will likely leverage the period during which poll watchers reportedly could not enter the ballot drop-off building to support their claims of rigged elections and illegality of the votes
Individuals whose personal data appeared in the email will likely experience harassment from far-right individuals, as well as perceived reputational damage. The reputational damage that will likely follow the quick email diffusion on social media, such as X, will likely lead to extensive distrust from local civilians, likely fueling anti-establishment sentiments.
Who will it directly impact:
Georgia State
Fulton County, Georgia
Georgia election officials and staff
Georgia citizens and voters
Georgia poll-watchers
Election integrity-monitoring organizations
Threat actors spreading disinformation and misinformation.
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[1] Elections, generated by a third party database
[2] @JoshMcKoon, X, November 2, 2024, https://x.com/JoshMcKoon/status/1852724565903917386
[3] @JoshMcKoon, X, November 2, 2024, https://x.com/JoshMcKoon/status/1852775775352561703