WASHINGTON, August 8, 2024 — In response to concerns about the possibility of violence and unlawful threats being used to disrupt or undermine the 2024 election, and building from its fact sheets and legal guidance that were widely circulated and relied upon before and after the elections in 2020 and 2022, Georgetown Law’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP) is today launching a digital Election Hub. The Hub collects ICAP’s guidance documents and video explainers in one readily accessible webpage, providing a comprehensive roadmap for election officials, civic leaders, law enforcement, and voters to prevent vigilante violence and defend the rule of law this election season.

“Given the potential for mobilization to interfere with the election, it is critical that public officials and community leaders understand the legal principles that can help them navigate potentially volatile situations before, on, and after election day,” said Mary McCord, Executive Director of ICAP and a former Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the Department of Justice.  “This will be even more important if there is a concerted effort to invite disruptions in the counting and certification of votes, as occurred in 2020.”

The materials included on the Election Hub address a variety of issues that may arise during the election season, including voter intimidation, unlawful paramilitary activity, and threats and harassment against government officials. The Election Hub also includes new guidance on related topics such as the regulation of public meetings and the difference between lawful private security services and unlawful private militias.  The Election Hub can help governmental and civic leaders to more broadly protect the public square within the bounds of the Constitution. While these guidance documents cover a broad range of topics, they all provide practical legal analysis of core concepts and practical tips to identify unlawful or dangerous behavior.

Some of these fact sheets were prepared in collaboration with ICAP’s partner organizations, including States United Democracy Center, 21CP Solutions, and the Crime and Justice Institute. Also included in the Election Hub are the latest versions of ICAP’s 50-state catalog of anti-paramilitary laws, Prohibiting Private Armies at Public Rallies, and its legal toolkit, Protests and Public Safety: A Guide for Cities and Citizens, a resource for local jurisdictions, concerned residents, and activists across the country to protect public safety while fostering constitutional rights.

As the election grows closer, ICAP will continue to update its existing guidance documents and publish additional resources to address new issues that arise.

Contact: Jacob Glick, Senior Policy Counsel, jhg75@georgetown.edu

The mission of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection is to use strategic legal advocacy to defend constitutional rights and values while working to restore confidence in the integrity of governmental institutions. Connect with ICAP at www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/, reachICAP@georgetown.edu, or @GeorgetownICAP