Election Day 2024 in the US has come and gone, but politically motivated security risks extend well beyond a single day. While physical disruptions and civil unrest have thus far been limited, the long tail of election-related risks - from protests to disinformation campaigns - require ongoing vigilance through Inauguration in January 2025.
At Crisis24, we have supported our clients throughout this election cycle. From AI-powered alerting to multiple strategic outlook analyses and alerts, as well as support from client-embedded analysts, the collaboration across our teams empowered organizations to navigate Election Day with confidence. Here, we explore key insights from Election Day, lessons learned, and the strategies needed to stay prepared in the coming weeks.
Election Day Risks
- This election cycle saw fewer incidents of widespread unrest than some analysts expected. However, the potential for protests, marches, and other disruptions remains substantial as post-election narratives develop.
- Localized Impacts
Some organizations near polling stations or government buildings faced disruptions. - DeKalb County, Georgia, faced multiple bomb threats targeting polling places on Election Day. Although no explosives were found, the threats led to evacuations.
- In Union and Snyder counties, Pennsylvania, bomb threats ultimately determined to be hoaxes forced the evacuation of government buildings.
- Protests occurred in New York City, Seattle, and, Washington, D.C.; moreover, the Philadelphia Police Department reported awareness of multiple social media posts encouraging looting and other criminal activities. Higher police presence likely helped curtail those risks via proactive messaging and visible deterrence. While multiple arrests were made in these cases, the scale has been much lower than during other recent protests, such as the October arrests of 200 pro-Palestine activists in New York City.
Long-Tail Risks
Post-election tensions may escalate as political narratives evolve and extremist organizations plan next steps. Monitoring these risks into January will be critical for business continuity and employee safety. Groups, including Proud Boys, Anonymous, and Black Bloc, are reportedly organizing post-election rallies – or unrest. Minor acts of vandalism were reported in Seattle, Portland, and London after the race was called by major news outlets. However, yesterday’s attacks on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam are a telling example of the current climate and potential for unrest. As such, traveling or attending large scale events calls for increased vigilance leading up to the inauguration and beyond.
Information Operations: A Growing Concern
State-sponsored actors and extremist groups leveraged Election Day to disseminate false narratives, undermine trust in democratic processes, and drive threats to public safety and organizational reputation.
Shaping Narratives
This election cycle saw, yet again, a surge in disinformation targeting swing states and key demographics. As post-election narratives evolve, the spread of false information remains a pressing concern. The FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) debunked instances of Russian election disinformation on the eve of Election Day, warning of heightened risks of inciting violence against election officials.
Spreading Disinformation
Disinformation ranged from false reports of polling issues to non-credible bomb threats. Bomb threats in Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin were deemed to be sourced from Russians. The FBI further reported two instances in which the agency’s name was being misused to spread disinformation about voter fraud and falsely telling voters to “vote remotely” due to terror threats at polling stations.
Non-Credible Threats
AI tools identified and clustered reporting to identify misinformation in real time, helping organizations craft accurate, proactive responses. This was particularly poignant around bomb threats and other threats to polling stations and polling infrastructure. Non-credible bomb threats were reported in New York, Michigan, Georgia, and Wisconsin. There were also multiple false reports of active shooters in Maine, and even false reports of significant power outages affecting polling sites in eastern Pennsylvania.
Extreme Weather and Election Security
Beyond the security-related risks, extreme weather added a layer of complexity. From storms to wildfires, organizations had to adapt quickly to ensure safety and operational continuity. Flash flooding in Missouri, which led to the deaths of two poll workers, disrupted election day operations. High winds and thunderstorms made it difficult to access several polling locations and utility providers focused on maintaining power to critical election infrastructure.
Emerging Risks
Every election cycle is unique, and while historical patterns provide valuable insights, over-reliance on historical patterns can create blind spots. This year, mass protests were less prevalent, but other risks continue to grow in importance:
• Online extremism
• Disinformation operations
• Threats to election infrastructure
Staying Resilient through Inauguration
It is often said that all politics are local. Election Day proved how critical local context is in understanding emerging threats and dynamic risks. While national trends provide a useful baseline, organizations benefited most from localized intelligence. Coordinating closely with local officials, as well as having local knowledge of trends, activities, and disruptions was key. Crisis24's embedded analysts and real-time monitoring delivered hyper-local insights, ensuring clients understand the specific risks impacting their people and assets.
Organizations with robust business continuity plans, including alternate routes, secure facilities, and pre-established communication protocols, experienced smoother operations. Proactive organizations should continue monitoring and update their response plans to include post-election risks.
At Crisis24, we are proud to partner with our clients to navigate these challenges. From leveraging AI-powered risk intelligence to fostering cross-functional collaboration, we are here to ensure your teams are prepared for whatever may come next. If you are ready to review your election response or discuss strategies for navigating post-election risks, we would love to meet with you.
Interested in learning more? Join Crisis24 for a tabletop exercise webinar focused on preparing for civil unrest post-election.
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