(WPRI) — Police and election officials in Rhode Island and Massachusetts are beefing up security efforts ahead of Election Day.

R.I. Secretary of State Gregg Amore told 12 News that state police will be on standby and some communities will have law enforcement presence at polling places.

"The police are on high alert during Election Day," Amore said. "The state police are on high alert, our friends at the Fusion Center understand that this is a tense time. And so, everybody's prepared to respond if they have too."

Amore emphasized that safety is on top of mind when it comes to the state's elections.

"Many communities have higher police details for Election Day," Amore explained. "Many have enhanced those police details compared to last election or the election before, but not every polling place has a police officer. Again, the locals decide on that."

One community that used money awarded by the Secretary of State's office to improve cybersecurity for this election is East Providence.

Mayor Bob DaSilva said there will also be police details regularly checking polling locations throughout the day.

"I've generally have never had poll workers come to me and say, 'Hey, I'd feel better if I knew police are coming around,'" DaSilva said. "I've had it happen this time around, and just to be on the safe side, we will have extra presence."

READ MORE: Where do I go to vote on Election Day?

New Bedford police are taking it a step further and will have an officer at every polling place throughout the day.

Chief Paul Oliveira said at a press conference on Wednesday that police will have "extra patrols throughout the day if need be."

Better lighting will be added at polling places that were deemed to dark last election.

Officers will also be enforcing rules banning political signs or messaging within 150 feet of a polling place, Oliveira said.

NEXT: Justice Department to monitor voting compliance in RI

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