ABC News examines the people who ensure the integrity of voting processes.

Georgia, the state that Joe Biden won with a stunning margin of just over 11,000 ballots, turning it blue for nearly 30 years, was the most important state in the efforts by former President Donald Trump to reverse his loss.

Four years on, the election officials of the state are now preparing to conduct another high-stakes vote, this time in the shadow of conspiracy theories, threats and mistrust in the system.

This reality has spread to even the most conservative regions. In Paulding County in Georgia, a solidly Republican county located just outside Atlanta, election workers train to be prepared for anything: screaming voters or deadly packages.

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Deirdre Helden, election director for Pauling County said in an interview by ABC News’ Steve Osunsami, “The most important thing is getting those voters out, and to safety, or to a room.” “Get into the room, barricade that door and fight for life if necessary.” And I never imagined I would have to use those words.”

Holden, who has been in charge of elections for 17 years in Paulding County, says that she loves her job. Holden says that even though Paulding County is still a Republican one, and Trump won the county in 2020 with 63% of the votes, she has received threats against her life from those who falsely blamed other election workers for Trump’s loss.

One email sent to Holden said, “We will make the Boston Bombings look child’s play in the polling stations of this county.” You just have to f —- patiently wait.

In preparation for the election in 2024, the small office of the county seat in Paulding has been forced to install panic buttons as well as surveillance cameras. The small office in Dallas, Georgia also keeps a bag of Narcan in a bright, red color near the mailbox in case anyone tries to harm staff members with noxious substances.

Holden, scarred by the violence and threats made against election workers after 2020, is now concerned about the safety her own staff. The majority of it is female.

Holden, through tears, said: “I tell my girls here in the office – I call them mine – that it is my job to protect and care for them. “I’m going fight with all I have.” “I know that I never want it to be this way, but I’m afraid that it is.”

In the lead-up to 2024’s presidential election, there have been threats against the workers of the electoral system. ABC News reported that in September, 22 states had received suspicious mail addressed to “United States Traitor Elimination Army”.

One of these packages was sent to Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia Secretary of state. Raffensperger is the Republican official famously who rejected Trump’s attempt to reverse his Georgia loss during a telephone call which later led to Trump’s criminal prosecution in Georgia. Trump has entered his plea of not-guilty in this case.

ABC News obtained a transcript of the call in which Trump said, “Fellas I need 11,000 voters, give me some time.” Raffensperger told Trump that he had “wrong.”

Raffensperger told ABC News that the threats continue to be made since he refused Trump’s request to “find” him the votes needed to win his state. His office is now working around the clock to ensure that a fast and accurate election will be held once more.

Raffensperger: “I want Georgia voters to know that we are going to have a fair election.” “I understand that the majority of people will not be happy with the results,” Raffensperger said.

Raffensperger emphasized that despite recent controversial rule amendments in the state, the state is capable of conducting a “safe and secure” election.

It’s my responsibility to ensure that everyone is able to access the information. We obey the law. Raffensperger stated, “We follow the Constitution.” Only Georgians who are lawful Georgians can vote in this election. “We have the most clean voter lists in the country.”

Holden is also prepared for suburban areas. Holden says she’s praying for her and the election workers in the state to stay safe, despite those still accusing them of wrongdoing.

Holden stated, “I can assure you that I never think of cheating or not counting votes.” “I would not know how to throw a vote if you paid for me to do it.” “I don’t even know how to do it.”