Bay Area police and sheriff’s officials were preparing for any unrest that may happen during voting Tuesday or after election results are announced later in the week.
Protests followed the 2016 election in Oakland, with thousands of marchers taking to the streets. Some clashed with police after dark, with reports of objects thrown and buildings vandalized.
San Jose police said on the social media platform X that while officers would not be present at polling locations, officials were coordinating with the Registrar of Voters to make sure the voting environment is safe. Police can respond swiftly if necessary, authorities said.
Oakland police said in an email to the Bay Area News Group that they are providing extra staffing to facilitate any peaceful gatherings and address any crime-related incidents. They also said that they are working with other law enforcement partners in case a regional response is needed.
Oakland authorities also advised people to plan their routes to any events or gatherings ahead of time, contact police if they see any unusual or suspicious activity and engage with others peacefully and respectfully.
“Our officers will be present throughout the evening to support and protect our community,” a spokesperson said.
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office will have “roving security teams of deputies” collecting ballots from secure ballot boxes and providing security for volunteers collecting ballots, a spokesperson said Monday. They will also be delivering secured bags of ballots to the Registrar of Voters.
“When community members see our deputies, they express confidence in using the ballot boxes, knowing the Sheriff’s Office is ensuring their votes reach the ROV,” the sheriff’s office said.
According to a statement by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, officials there implemented several measures to ensure election security, including increasing the number of deputies patrolling polling places and collaborating with federal agencies and local election staff to make sure the security measures don’t interfere with the voting process.
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A representative from the Sheriff’s Office said that they have not gotten word of any credible threats to the voting process on Monday afternoon and were not aware of any major planned protests, but they had developed a plan to address public safety concerns specific to the voting process and that deputies were prepared to respond immediately to any threats or reports of voter intimidation. They said that deputies will not have an overly visible presence at polling sites, but they will drive through parking lots and surrounding areas to quickly address any issues.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office also informed people of unlawful activity related to voting, including blocking access to voting locations, damaging voting devices or ballot drop boxes, disrupting the voting process or the counting of ballots, or trying to compel someone to vote for a certain candidate within 100 feet of the entrance of a polling place, curbside voting, or ballot drop box.
San Francisco officials similarly said they were ready to guard voting activity and keep the peace in the city after the election: “People are welcome to exercise their First Amendment rights. We will not tolerate acts of violence nor the destruction of property. We are working with our local City partners to address issues that may arise, and we are also working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to address public safety issues.”
The office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom also said that they would be coordinating with the Secretary of State, the state Attorney General and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to make sure everyone can vote on Tuesday.
According to a statement by the Governor’s Office, “Californians’ right to vote, demonstrate peacefully, and live safely and free from violence, intimidation and fear are core democratic values that our state will always stand ready to protect.”
San Jose residents who see any concerning or suspicious activity around polling places are asked to contact 408-277-8900 for non-emergencies; Oakland residents can contact police for non-emergency reasons at 510-777-3333. Residents of all communities should call 911 to report any emergency situation.