Local authorities are prepared to manage potential disruptions at polling stations next week and ensure a safe and secure voting process. Despite rising political tensions, Allegheny County and Pittsburgh law enforcement say there are no indications of election-related threats.

Election workers were given guidance on the rules in force at the polling stationstraining in de-escalation tactics and instructions on what to do in the event of disruptions or attempts to prevent people from voting, county spokeswoman Abigail Gardner said.

Volunteers with Election Protection Hotline will also be available to ensure residents can exercise their right to vote. The long-standing, nonpartisan coalition of advocates and fair-choice groups responds to calls from voters experiencing problems at their polling places.

Elections are “a monumental task that takes place from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in one day,” said Jeffrey Wilhelm, of counsel at the law firm Reed Smith. Due to the large scale of the event, problems will arise.

“This is a program that focuses on making sure that voters get to the polls on polling days and that their votes on polling day count,” he said.

On Election Day, Wilhelm will be one of dozens of attorneys at the county election court or sitting in a downtown conference room making calls and resolving voting issues.

Problems that arise on election day include polling stations that did not open on time or were inaccessible to people using mobility devices, long queues, voters who did not appear on the polling register and election workers refusing to provide ballots. provisional vote.

But volunteers are also prepared to deal with bigger issues, such as voter intimidation or harassment, requests from voters to show ID despite voting at a polling station in past elections, and even poll workers expressing their support for a particular candidate.

“Depending on what the issue is, those resources could be resolved right there at the vote, or those resources could be resolved at the court level,” Wilhelm said.

He added that while many people are struggling and political violence is a concern, Pennsylvanians have been through contentious elections and he’s optimistic that voters will avoid those issues this year. If they experience problems, they can call 1-866-OUR-VOTE for English language assistance. Hotline numbers for Spanish, Arabic and Asian languages ​​can be found Here.

“Our goal is to make sure that anyone who wants to vote, no matter who they’re voting for, can vote and have their votes counted in a nonpartisan way,” Wilhelm said. Adding that the volunteers will “solve as many issues as they can.”

Complaints of voter intimidation or other election crimes may be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of State’s hotline at 1-877VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772).

County police will handle security at polling places throughout the county and at the county election depot on November 5. The department “recognizes the increased focus on Pennsylvania and Allegheny County ahead of the election, and we remain vigilant and prepared,” spokesman Jim Madalinsky said. WESA in an email. “At this point, there is no indication of imminent concerns about the election.”

County sheriff’s deputies will “respond to polling stations as needed, including serving as backup to any local police departments responding to any altercations,” department spokesman Mike Manko said. The office is also responsible for the transmission and enforcement of any court decisions issued by the county election court judges.

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police “has the ability and discretion to extend officer shifts to provide maximum coverage in the city if necessary,” officials said in a statement released last week.

“It should be noted that the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police balances the protection of First Amendment rights to free speech and peaceful assembly while maintaining public safety. Civil unrest and violence will not be tolerated,” the statement continued.

The office “has no indication of any emerging threat related to the election,” but “will continue to monitor the situation, along with our local and federal law enforcement partners.”

Voters should feel safe when they cast their ballots Tuesday, Wilhelm said.

As with past elections, “There will probably be lines. There will probably be some confusion,” he said. But “people will get through it. People are trying to do their jobs. Survey workers try to do their job and do their job as well as they can. We’re talking about things that might be things that need to be addressed, but for the most part, people are doing their job properly and appropriately.”

Find your polling station Here. Polls will be open from 7:00am to 8:00pm on November 5th.