In support of Secretary Raffensperger’s four-point plan for election security, the Secretary of State’s office hosted a tabletop exercise focused on physical security in elections, brought together by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, regional election officials, and state and local partners. The exercise, held Wednesday, demonstrated a collaborative approach to safeguarding the electoral process through rigorous scenario planning and real-time threat detection and mitigation strategies.

The exercise drew participants from over 7 East Georgia counties, convened to tackle a series of simulated scenarios designed to test and enhance the resilience of Georgia’s elections personnel and systems, and to share knowledge among key stakeholders in the election community.

Participants worked through various scenarios designed to address critical aspects of election security, including the protection of voting equipment, addressing swatting incidents, and ensuring elections personnel are well trained to respond to a variety of threats.

Secretary Raffensperger emphasized the importance of such exercises in preparing counties for the November election: "We appreciate Columbia County and all of Eastern Georgia for understanding the importance of securing our election systems and protecting all those involved in elections. This exercise builds confidence, and shows that Georgia is well prepared for November.”

The event highlights just one aspect of the Secretary’s commitment to a secure 2024 election. The Secretary thanked elections personnel, as well as the local law enforcement agencies and other state and federal partners who are working tirelessly to serve their communities throughout Georgia and the nation.