In recent weeks federal homeland security officials have warned that Al Qaeda plans to carry out an election-year attack in the US. There are few specifics, but the threat has local officials taking extra precautions leading up to the November election.
It's not as easy to get into the Franklin County Board of Elections office as it used to be. Three security workers stand guard at the entrance. Visitors walk through a metal detector and the guards scan all bags in an airport-style x-ray machine. This heightened security presence arrived last month, in preparation for the November election.
Columbus Police are using grant money from the US Department of Homeland Security to help pay for additional patrols on election day. Elections officials across Ohio are working with local law enforcement agencies to develop security plans for election day.
