AKRON, Ohio — A new law in Akron protects election workers from harassment, intimidation, and abuse, and calls for a minimum three-day jail sentence for offenders.
Councilwoman Tara Mosley, who represents Ward 5 in the city, told 3News this law is meant to keep employees safe from threats, which have grown in the wake of former President Donald Trump's lies that the 2020 race was "stolen" from him.
"This is about making sure that we protect our election officials and election staff," Mosley said.
Akron Chief City Prosecutor Craig Morgan also says if there's multiple incidents, the three-day sentences would be imposed consecutively and add up per offense.
NBC News reports the FBI and Department of Homeland Security have issued a new joint intelligence bulletin warning of elevated threats as midterm Election Day approaches on Nov. 8.
"The intelligence units of these departments have got to kick it into high gear," national security analyst Frank Figliuzzi told NBC. "It's a challenge like never before."
RELATED: Falsehoods, harassment stress local election offices in US, including here in Northeast Ohio
Mosley told WKYC she fears for election workers this year.
"In the ward I represent, I've had people talk about some of the volunteers who would be out there handing out literature getting a little colorful with them," she explained, "so it does happen."