Gov. Newsom voted early and in person in Sacramento on Thursday, adding his ballot to the 8.5 million ballots that have already been cast in California.
Turnout has reached record levels in what many voters see as one of the highest stakes elections of their lifetime. The passion around this election has prompted some fear that the election will provoke disruption and unrest.
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After casting his vote, Newsom told Politico he is preparing for that possibility.
“As it relates to making sure that people are safe - making sure not only that the process of voting is safe and healthy - but keeping people safe after the election for whatever may occur, the answer is yes. We are always gaming out different scenarios and making sure that we are prepared,” he said.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra sent a bulletin to law enforcement agencies Thursday saying that any illegal election activity, like interfering with or intimidating voters, will not be tolerated.
“We want to make sure that everyone believes that their vote will count, that there won’t be any issues with tampering with that vote,” he said. “And anyone who participates in any activities that are illegal with regard to ballots and voting should understand what they’re undertaking.”
Law enforcement agencies are staffing up to prepare for possible protests or unrest following the election.