Election Protection

At Noon on January 20:

• The outgoing president becomes a private citizen. Their authority ends automatically, regardless of any claims or disputes.
• Presidential resources transfer immediately. Air Force One, the Secret Service protective detail (in its presidential capacity), the White House, and all powers of the office transfer to the newly inaugurated president.
• Military command transfers. The new president becomes Commander-in-Chief upon taking the oath. The outgoing president has no authority to order military action.
• The transition is automatic. As one former transition official explained: "The transition process is automated... the systematic things will happen whether he's a willing participant or not."

If No President Has Been Chosen by January 20:

1. The 20th Amendment provides that if the president-elect "shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified"
2. If neither has qualified, statutory succession begins with the Speaker of the House
3. There is no provision allowing an outgoing president to remain in office

Foreign Interference

Active Threat Actors: Russia (identified as the "most committed and capable threat"), China (increasingly active in influence operations), and Iran (has conducted operations targeting U.S. elections).

Tactics Used:

• Creating inauthentic news websites mimicking legitimate media
• Paying social media influencers to spread content
• Using AI-generated content to create deepfakes and disinformation
• Sending hoax bomb threats to polling locations
• Creating false videos alleging election fraud

Domestic Disinformation

Common False Narratives:

• Claims of widespread non-citizen voting (no evidence supports this)
• Allegations of voting machine manipulation
• False claims about mail ballot fraud
• Manufactured "whistleblower" videos
• AI-generated content designed to suppress voter turnout

Election Subversion Attempts

Since 2020, state legislatures have introduced over 600 bills that could expose elections to partisan manipulation. Sixty-two have become law in 28 states.

• Bills giving legislators direct control over election outcomes
• Bills requiring partisan "audits" that cast doubt on legitimate results
• Bills shifting administration from nonpartisan officials to partisan actors
• Bills attempting to empower legislatures to override voter choices

Note: Certification is a mandatory, ministerial duty under state law. Courts have consistently ruled that officials cannot refuse to certify.

Voter Suppression

Watch for:

• Last-minute changes to voting locations or hours
• Aggressive voter roll purges
• Strict ID requirements that disproportionately affect certain communities
• Reduced polling locations in certain areas
• Intimidation at polling places
• Misinformation about voting requirements or dates

General Requirements

Requirements vary by state but typically include:

• U.S. citizenship
• Voter registration in the state (sometimes the specific county)
• Age requirement (usually 18, though some states allow 16-17 year olds)
• Completion of required training
• No felony convictions (varies by state)
• In some states, party affiliation requirements for balance

How to Sign Up

• Contact your local election office directly - County clerk, board of elections, or registrar of voters
• Visit the U.S. Election Assistance Commission - eac.gov/voters/become-poll-worker
• Apply through Power the Polls - powerthepolls.org - A nonpartisan initiative to recruit poll workers

Election Observers

Many states allow official poll watchers or election observers. Rules vary by state:

• Observers must typically be appointed by a political party or candidate
• They must remain in designated observation areas
• They cannot interact with voters unless requested
• They cannot interfere with election operations
• Observers who cause disturbances can be removed