Democracy in the United States works thanks to the dedication of election officials and volunteers who tirelessly work to ensure every vote is counted. Yet alarmingly, poll worker security is at risk due to threats and abuse, intimidation, and even political interference.
GPS tracking technologies could represent a cost-effective solution for districts looking to provide security and peace of mind to their election officials and hard-working teams.
Security Challenges for Election Workers
While laws exist to protect election workers, intimidation does still happen. Some individuals or groups falsely believe that election officials are biased. Others may think they can create bias themselves via intimidation, such as shouting, honking horns, personal abuse, or even inciting others to violence.
Thankfully, most districts are already taking steps to increase poll worker security. One action popular with many election officials is using GPS devices for real-time location tracking and updates.
How GPS Trackers Provide Assurance and Security
GPS stands for Global Positioning System, a network of satellites that works with GPS devices on Earth to provide real-time location data. Tracking devices utilize GPS technology and cellular data signals to send this location information to devices equipped with software that can monitor and report on the device holder’s whereabouts.
While highly popular for vehicle and asset tracking, GPS devices are gaining traction as a security augmentation, particularly for those working in sensitive positions, such as election officials.
Real-Time Location Tracking
A single administrator can instantly monitor the location of all election workers via an intuitive interface. If someone is late back from a lunch break by more than a few minutes, this could indicate a security concern. GPS trackers would clearly show if that individual was further away than expected or in a worryingly remote location. If necessary, team leaders could alert the authorities and pass the location details along.
Faster Response Time from Authorities
Providing GPS data to the police or other authorities allows them to respond much faster. Rather than relying on a verbal address or tracking a phone signal, officers can immediately head to a member of staff’s current location. If they are being intimidated or threatened, a police presence can diffuse the situation quickly.
Similarly, a GPS tracker can provide location information quickly if threats occur or situations escalate at the polling office. Police can be at that location faster, which provides peace of mind to all your employees while deterring those who may try similar tactics.
Additional Benefits of GPS Trackers During Polls and Elections
Poll worker security is a top concern for ensuring the personal safety of your employees and the integrity of the democratic process. However, this is not the only way GPS trackers aid transparent and secure elections.
Ballot Box Tracking
GPS trackers are now commonly used on ballot boxes to ensure that ballots are always where they should be.
Once ballots are complete, boxes are sealed and transported to new locations. Any indication that there is even the possibility of tampering can cause accusations to fly among the public and political parties. The 2020 US Election caused conspiracy theories around ballot boxes, and there have already been mentions of fear of voter fraud or interference in 2024.
GPS trackers help ensure everyone knows exactly where the ballots are and where they’re going, with any deviations from this reported in real time.
Accurate Post-Election Audits
By recording ballot movements this way, post-election audits can be more accurate, detailed, and meaningful. Irregularities are given context against thousands of safely delivered ballot boxes. Any irregularities that do occur can be dealt with to ensure they don’t occur in the future.
Trust and Integrity
Providing this data ensures your district is as open, honest, and transparent as possible about the voting process. You can confidently state that you know exactly where every sealed ballot box was at any given time, and you always have the historical data to back that up. Create and reaffirm trust with your voters and avoid discussions around bias, voter fraud, or ballot box tampering.
Discover lightweight, highly portable GPS tracking devices for your district’s election officials and volunteers, like the LandAirSea 54. Rechargeable, magnetic, and dust/water resistant, it transmits location data in real time and connects effortlessly to software, allowing you to understand the whereabouts of your team members. Remember, you must always inform employees that you’re tracking and processing their location information to abide by data privacy regulations. However, with poll worker security a top concern, there are unlikely to be many objections to this.