FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has taken a strong stance against recent threats targeting election officials in Georgia. In a press release, Raffensperger condemned the actions and reaffirmed his commitment to secure elections in the state.

According to Raffensperger, a disturbing incident occurred when a letter containing the dangerous substance fentanyl was sent to a Fulton County election official. This incident mirrored similar occurrences in local election offices across other states. Fortunately, the letter was intercepted by the post office, preventing any harm.

Raffensperger emphasized that the protection of election officials and ensuring secure elections are his top priorities. He expressed his determination to work alongside state and federal partners to investigate whether any other Georgia officials are being targeted. The Secretary of State labeled those responsible for these threats as domestic terrorists and emphasized that they will not be allowed to hinder the right to free and fair elections in Georgia.

To address concerns for the safety and wellbeing of election officials, Raffensperger called upon the General Assembly to increase penalties for election interference. He stressed the importance of allowing election officials to carry out their duties without fear and intimidation.

At present, there is no immediate indication that any other election office in Georgia was targeted by the threatening letters, according to the Associated Press. The news agency was able to obtain an advisory from the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, which highlighted the need for heightened vigilance.

Despite these challenges, Raffensperger highlighted Georgia's continued achievement in voter turnout and election participation. He stated that the state recorded the largest increase in average turnout among all states during the 2018 midterm election. Additionally, Georgia experienced record-breaking turnout in both the 2020 and 2022 elections. Raffensperger proudly acknowledged that 2022 saw the highest single day of in-person early voting turnout in Georgia midterm history, utilizing the state's secure, paper ballot voting system.

As the investigation into the threats against election officials continues, Georgia remains committed to preserving the integrity of its elections. State authorities are determined to ensure that Georgia elections remain free, fair, and secure, despite the attempts of domestic terrorists to undermine the democratic process.

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