Thinking about Elections

THE DOGS SAFEGUARDING OUR ELECTIONS. Bomb-sniffing dogs cleared bomb threats at 32 locations in Fulton County, Georgia (Atlanta) in the November 2025 elections. They did additional walk throughs throughout the day. In NJ, more than two dozen bomb-sniffing dogs worked clearing threats around the state. It was the same in Maine, Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

The canine nose detects the strong chemicals used in explosives. Because a dog is using its nose, it starts searching the moment it arrives in the car. Walking a dog through a polling place that received a bomb threat, if the dog alerts and shows interest in some way, the threat is likely real. If the dog doesn’t alert, there’s no danger, and the location is clear. The process is rapid—in NJ polling places were usually cleared within 30 minutes and voting quickly resumed.

To honor the dogs who safeguarded New Jersey elections, the NJ Attorney General recently held a special ceremony. Each dog came on stage to receive an award and treats, and pose for photos. “It was remarkable service by our law enforcement across the state and by our four-legged partners in combating crime,” said the attorney general.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/us/politics/bomb-sniffing-dogs-new-jersey-election.html?auth=login-google1tap&login=google1tap#