The Secret Service has announced increased security measures for the upcoming counting and certification of electoral votes at the Capitol in January, following the chaotic events of the Jan. 6 riot in 2021. The Department of Homeland Security has designated this event as a national special security event, offering a level of security similar to the State of the Union address and the Super Bowl. The Secret Service will oversee the planning to ensure the safety and security of the event and its participants.
The designation of a national special security event for the certification of electoral votes is unprecedented, and aims to prevent a repeat of the violence that occurred during the previous count confirming Joe Biden’s victory. The Secret Service stated that the security plan will involve federal, state, and local partners to ensure a comprehensive and integrated approach.
The enhanced security measures for the upcoming vote count were requested by Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and were prompted by reports from the former House Jan. 6 committee and the Government Accountability Office. The designation will unlock federal, state, and local resources to be used in the security plan, and a panel of representatives from various law enforcement agencies will collaborate to develop the plan in the coming weeks.
The 2021 riot resulted in four deaths and approximately 140 police officers being assaulted, as well as causing around $1.5 million in damage to the Capitol building. The increased security measures for the upcoming vote count aim to prevent any further violence and disruptions.
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