According to a press release on August 11, 2023, a Massachusetts man, James W. Clark, pleaded guilty to sending a bomb threat via a website contact form to an election official in the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, prompting concerns for her safety. The FBI and Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force are investigating and prosecuting the case, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding election workers.
"Americans who serve the public by administering our voting systems should not have to fear for their lives simply for doing their jobs," U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said. "As this case demonstrates, the Justice Department is investigating and prosecuting violations of federal law against election officials and election workers. Only by protecting those who administer the election process can we ensure that the right to vote, itself, is protected."
Clark admitted his guilt in a case involving the transmission of a threat involving an explosive device to an electoral representative working within the Office of the Secretary of State in Arizona. As stated in legal records, sometime around February 14, 2021, Clark, 38, hailing from Falmouth, sent the threat through the official website of the Arizona Secretary of State's Election Division.
He directed a message to the aforementioned electoral official, cautioning her that it was imperative for her to step down from her role before 9 am on February 16th or else a bomb would be set off, with the intent on killing her.
Shortly after that, Clark made online searches that combined the complete name of the woman with phrases like "methods of causing harm" and "residence details." On February 18, Clark searched for phrases that centered on the incident of the Boston Marathon bombing. Clark entered a plea of guilt for a singular charge related to transmitting a menacing inter-state communication. His slated date for sentencing is October 26, and he confronts a potential upper limit of five years of incarceration.
This particular instance is a component of the Election Threats Task Force established by the Department of Justice. Unveiled under the guidance of Attorney General Garland and initiated by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in June 2021, this task force has spearheaded the department's endeavors to counteract instances of violence directed at those involved in the electoral process.
Its primary aim is to ensure an environment where all election workers—whether they hold elected positions, are appointed, or volunteer—can perform their duties without being subjected to threats or coercion. Collaborating closely with the electoral community and local law enforcement at the state and regional levels, the task force evaluates claims and accounts of intimidation directed toward election workers.
