Northampton County Council unanimously approved an ordinance extending legal protections against harassment, intimidation and threats to a broader range of election workers during its May 21 meeting, according to Commissioner Jason Boulette.

Boulette said existing Pennsylvania election interference laws protect only a limited group of poll workers, including judges of elections, inspectors and clerks, leaving other employees and volunteers involved in election administration vulnerable.

The new Northampton County Election Worker Protection ordinance expands protections to members of the county Election Commission, Election Division employees and temporary workers and volunteers who assist with mail ballot processing and vote counting.

Boulette, who authored the ordinance, said the measure is intended to ensure all individuals involved in running elections can perform their duties without fear of harassment or threats.

During the council meeting, former election workers shared accounts of receiving threatening phone calls, emails and suspicious substances, Boulette said. Some also described requiring sheriff’s deputies to escort them to their vehicles after work. Former Election Commission members also reported installing security cameras at their homes because of safety concerns.

Boulette thanked Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski and fellow council members for supporting the ordinance, calling the protection of election workers essential to maintaining free and fair elections in Northampton County.

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