Arizona election officials will increase security at polling locations in Maricopa County this year after the 2020 election was marred by dozens of threats based on falsehoods surrounding election integrity.

After facing many false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, Maricopa County became a target for pro-Trump activists to spread lies about election integrity there. Some security changes will be made ahead of 2024, notably at the building where the ballots will be tabulated, including possibly stationing SWAT teams outside and the sheriff mounted on a police horse.

“Especially after the 2020 election, the threat environment at election offices has gotten much worse,” David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, told the Guardian.

Becker said enhanced election security is needed in Maricopa County because “there have been lies to such a great degree, and people try to use those opportunities to claim the election was stolen.”

In 2020, Arizona, once a Republican stronghold, flipped blue for President Joe Biden. His victory over Trump in the state was the first time a Democrat won its Electoral College votes since Bill Clinton in 1996.

Election officials have faced an increase in threats since the 2020 election. Clint Hickman, the former county supervisor chairman since 2013, is not seeking reelection due to threats.

While ballots are awaiting tabulation, they will be in “secure cages” made of chain-link fencing. Ballots will also be placed in these cages while election officials take breaks, off hours, or other pauses in work.

The county will require three people to be in the tabulation room at all times. There, the hard drives that record the votes will have their ports blocked and have no access to Wi-Fi so that only officials who are authorized to be in that room will have access.

The presence of armed guards will also be increased at entry and exit points. Doors to the building’s secure areas will be replaced to require badged entry.

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It is estimated that Maricopa County has spent $25,000 since July 2023 on paying and equipping officers who will be focused on election safety.

The news comes as 11 allies of former President Donald Trump were arraigned Tuesday in Phoenix for their alleged efforts to overturn election results in Arizona. All of them pleaded not guilty to nine counts of conspiracy, forgery, and fraud.