Election Day 2024 was hit not by natural disasters but by unnatural ones—more than 200 bomb threats in polling places across the US. A week earlier, ballot drop boxes had been set on fire. If chaos was the intention, it failed—the system absorbed the disruptions so cleanly that most voters never noticed.

Featuring the voices of Gabriel Sterling of the Georgia Secretary of State's office, former Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, and CEIR Executive Director David Becker.

The Unstoppable Vote is a documentary podcast from The Center for Election Innovation & Research about a nearly invisible part of American democracy: the resilience of elections and the people who run them in the face of disaster. When elections run smoothly, as they almost always do, it doesn't mean nothing went wrong. It means trained professionals prepared, adapted, and performed despite the disruptions that inevitably occur.

Learn more at electioninnovation.org.

Credits

The Unstoppable Vote was produced in association with the Center for Election Innovation & Research. The idea for the series originated with CEIR Research Director Chris Mann, who also edited the script and provided project oversight. The series was written and produced by Dale McGowan. Interviews were conducted by Joanie Greve, Maddy Meekins, Tim Dwyer, Chris Mann, Kyle Yoder, Dale McGowan, and David Becker. Promotion by Joanie Greve, Tim Dwyer, Karla Cortes, and Maddy Meekins. Graphics support by Maddy Meekins. Music provided by Blue Dot Sessions.

Hosted and narrated by Kyle Yoder, Associate Research Director for CEIR.

Media sources

“FBI investigating bomb threats at Georgia polling places” (video), FOX5 Atlanta, Nov 6, 2024.

“FBI shares new information about devices used in 2024 ballot box fires,” KPTV FOX 12 Oregon, Jan 16 2025.