SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Election Day is Tuesday, and the California Highway Patrol is standing by in case this year sees a recurrence of the violent political protests of 2020.

Days after Joe Biden won the U.S. presidential election in 2020, supporters of then-President Donald Trump clashed with counter-protesters at the California Capitol. That unrest carried on for weeks, as Trump disputed the election results despite there being no evidence of widespread election fraud.

The CHP Capitol Protection Section is monitoring “for all potential unplanned demonstrations at the Capitol,” said spokesman Officer John Ortega.

“CHP officers are always vigilant for potential incidents that may occur near the State Capitol. We have personnel ready to respond for public safety and protect state property as necessary,” Ortega said in a statement to The Bee.

Ortega did not comment further, beyond saying that the CHP does not disclose details on matters involving security.

In 2020, the far-right group known as the Proud Boys clashed with anti-fascists at the Capitol, prompting a heavy police response. The protests and counter-protests resulted in several cars being damaged in the Capitol area, with many having their tires slashed.

This year, Trump has refused to say that he would accept an electoral defeat, and he and his supporters have already begun laying the groundwork to dispute the outcome of Tuesday’s election, should it not go his way.

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