States Scramble to Avert Conflicts at Polling Places

The F.B.I. and the Department of Homeland Security have begun exercises with local law enforcement groups and election officials around the nation. After participating in one tabletop exercise, David Maeda, a top election official for the Minnesota secretary of state’s office, called his county administrators to ensure they were in contact with their sheriffs and were marking the 100-foot buffer around polling stations. Mr. Maeda is even recommending poll workers attend a roll call at the local police station to make clear the needs of their polling stations.

Steve T. Descano, the county attorney in Fairfax County, has created a team in his office that will soon be trained on the tactics of militia groups. He said the chances of another incident like the one at the polling station in Fairfax were more likely after Mr. Trump called for his supporters to independently monitor polling places during his debate with Joseph R. Biden Jr.

“I told my wife we’re going to have more problems,” Mr. Descano said. “I’m a realist. I always hoped we wouldn’t have problems but I have to plan on it.”

In Weber County, Utah, election officials are running exercises to prepare for “worst-case scenarios” of protesters blocking access to polling places. “Once in a while, you get someone who’s just hot and heavy,” said Ricky Hatch, the county clerk and auditor there.

A slew of groups like the N.A.A.C.P. are also planning to help protect voters by gearing up lawyers and recruiting volunteers to watch for provocations and, if needed, escort voters into their polling place, much like some women get help to enter abortion clinics past protest lines.

“We are training folks to be prepared to deal with provocateurs,” said Ría Thompson-Washington, with the Center for Popular Democracy, even if that means, despite the pandemic, “putting their body between them.” She added, “Usually you would advise them to not engage and divert attention.”