Since the 2020 U.S. elections, local law enforcement agencies have increasingly taken on a larger role in helping election officials secure polling and election-related operations, according to reporting by NPR. The shift comes as elections nationwide are described as becoming more tense, prompting local and state authorities to look for additional resources and support to protect voting processes. The expanded involvement includes coordination between election administrators and police departments to manage security concerns before and during elections, with an emphasis on maintaining order and safeguarding election infrastructure and activities. The reporting frames the change as a response to the evolving risk environment surrounding elections, including heightened political scrutiny and public concern about safety and integrity. While the articles focus on the broader trend of local police support, they do not indicate that law enforcement oversight is uniform across jurisdictions or that roles are identical from one locality to another. Overall, the sources describe a growing reliance on local police capacity as part of election security planning in recent election cycles.