Mapping the Gaps: Assessing Harassment and Abuse Protection Policies for Elected Officials in Major U.S. Cities

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the institutional framework protecting elected officials from harassment, abuse, and intimidation in the USA. We systematically gathered and reviewed policies from all cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants (n=333), and all available state and federal level policies to assess the structures in place to safeguard political figures, especially women mayors. The analysis highlights stark disparities in protection, with some cities offering robust, proactive frameworks while others lack basic provisions. By mapping the strengths and weaknesses across jurisdictions, this research underscores the urgent need for standardized, effective policies to combat the rising tide of political violence, particularly gender-based violence.