Authorities say a man in Illinois punched an election judge at a polling station and was arrested on Sunday, two days before the climax of the US presidential election campaign.

The man, who was 24-year-old Daniel Schmidt, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault against a victim over 60 years old, two counts of aggravated assault in a public place and five counts of misdemeanor resisting arrest and one Charged with disorderly conduct case.

His case follows numerous attacks on the electoral process and threats of violence, the purpose of which extremist experts say is often to stoke fear and distrust around the election.

Election officials across the U.S. say voting is safe and voters should not be deterred from casting their ballots in Tuesday's presidential race.

In Schmidt's case, police said they responded to reports that a man was causing a disturbance in the voting line at the municipal office in Orland Park, Illinois.

Officers arrested Schmidt after learning that he had allegedly entered the building and attempted to get in line ahead of other voters lining up for early voting.

An election judge at the entrance instructed Schmidt to stand at the back and wait his turn. But authorities say Schmidt refused.

At that point, another election judge was called to assist, police said – and Schmidt was again instructed to move to the back of the line.

According to police, Schmidt then tried to push past the election judge, who, along with several other employees, prevented him from entering.

Schmidt then reportedly began yelling profanities and punched the election judge in the face, knocking his glasses off. At that point, several other guests jumped in and held Schmidt until officers arrived.

Authorities added that Schmidt also resisted Orland Park officers during his arrest.

Schmidt was held overnight Sunday and transported to the Bridgeview Courthouse for a detention hearing Monday morning.

Ahead of this year's election, election offices across the country have increased security measures in anticipation of potential violence at polling places, including in response to the increase in threats and harassment against poll workers following the 2020 election, which Donald Trump lost to Joe Biden.

Trump is running against Kamala Harris in Tuesday's election.

Many offices have also trained employees in de-escalation techniques and conducted active shooter drills and other types of attacks.

In the last week alone, the United States has already seen several attacks on the electoral process, threats of violence and extremism, including bomb threats, ballot burning, and more.