Democrats train poll watchers

The New Battlefield Project is training at least 10,000 volunteers to counter interference or intimidation at polling locations across the country in November.

Democracy Protectors in blue

Volunteers called Democracy Protectors will wear blue and be trained in de-escalating conflicts and documenting bad actors. They'll also help direct voters to the right locations.

Bigger than usual effort

The DNC runs election protection programs every year, but this year's effort is larger in scope and coordinated nationwide.

Concerns about federal agents

Democrats launched the initiative after hearing Trump and Steve Bannon discuss potentially sending the National Guard, military, or ICE agents to polling locations.

“We take them very seriously.”

Justice Department monitors polls

The Justice Department announced last month it would monitor polling sites in Florida and Wyoming for primary elections to ensure transparency and ballot security.

FBI director open to agents

FBI Director Kash Patel indicated he was not opposed to dispatching federal agents to voting locations.

Trump deploys National Guard

Trump has deployed the National Guard to cities like Los Angeles and D.C. to combat crime, though data shows crime rates have been falling for years.

“I'd do anything necessary to make sure we have honest elections.”

Military barred from polls

Federal law prohibits military from being sent to polling places. The Joint Chiefs chairman said there are no plans to send troops or seize ballots.

ICE enforcement raises fears

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE isn't there to patrol polls but added they're there to enforce specific threats, exacerbating Democratic fears.

White House calls it silly

Former Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the ICE question a silly hypothetical, saying she hadn't heard Trump discuss formal plans to put ICE outside polls.

“I can't guarantee that an ICE agent won't be around a polling location in November.”

Democrats want to be ready

Democrats don't want to wake up after Election Day wishing they'd taken Trump's statements seriously, says Nebraska Democratic chair Jane Kleeb.

“We're taking them seriously.”

Experts see air of menace

Experts say Trump's actions haven't all succeeded but have sown confusion among voters. There's an air of menace the Administration has generated, says one professor.

“There's kind of an air of menace that the Administration has generated.”

Justice Department sues states

The Justice Department has sued states to compel them to hand over voter rolls. The Administration has also directed agents to comb rolls for non-citizens.

Training started three weeks ago

Volunteer training began about three weeks ago. A critical part is teaching de-escalation while making clear volunteers should not engage if violence erupts.

Targeting key locations

Volunteers won't be at every polling place. State parties will decide locations with most need, like high-traffic precincts or areas with immigrant populations.

“Our elections are safe and secure.”