Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 12:59 PM Sep 2020

What to do if disruptors show at your polling place

Last edited Sun Sep 20, 2020, 02:44 PM - Edit history (1)

Be aware that it is illegal, see below.

Get pics/video of their faces, signs, and esp. their car/license plates.
Call police if you feel intimidated, make a report, notify precinct committee members.

Edited to add: Get phone numbers and/or twitter address of Dem.precinct people NOW, so you can have them ready if you need them.
And know the distance that protestors/campaigners have to stand from the polling place.
Again that is where pics/video comes in handy. Don't engage with disruptors, just record and report.


18 U.S. Code § 594. Intimidation of voters

Whoever intimidates, threatens, coerces, or attempts to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of such other person to vote or to vote as he may choose, or of causing such other person to vote for, or not to vote for, any candidate for the office of President, Vice President, Presidential elector, Member of the Senate, Member of the House of Representatives, Delegate from the District of Columbia, or Resident Commissioner, at any election held solely or in part for the purpose of electing such candidate, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/594


14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

AngryOldDem

(14,061 posts)
1. I am very concerned about this.
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 01:06 PM
Sep 2020

Used to be, my early voting location was City Hall, a relatively large venue that was packed to the gills in 2016. This election, it’s been moved to a bandbox of a building at a nearby park. I can’t think of any good reason for this other than the obvious. Limit the space, discourage the voters.

At City Hall, you could avoid running the gauntlet of campaign workers by using side doors. At the park...not so easy. I suspect there will be a lot of GOPers getting in the way, and you can bet if that happens the election officials inside will be hearing about it.

LisaL

(44,962 posts)
8. You are not supposed to wear a Trump shirt.
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 01:30 PM
Sep 2020

Your poll worker is not going to allow you to vote if you are wearing a Trump shirt.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
12. Not only report it to the officials but make a record of that report
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 02:31 PM
Sep 2020

It's gonna be way too easy for the other side to deny they knew of any problems unless there is a paper/video trail.
If we don't have evidence, we can't file objections.

LisaL

(44,962 posts)
2. We all saw that Trumpers showed up at the early voting place in Virginia.
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 01:10 PM
Sep 2020

Prepare of more of the same.

Arkansas Granny

(31,483 posts)
4. I would add don't try to confront them. They are itching for a fight.
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 01:19 PM
Sep 2020

They would love nothing more than to paint Democratic voters as dangerous and violent.

Maeve

(42,224 posts)
5. First step...notify poll workers
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 01:24 PM
Sep 2020

We are trained for this. And please no campaign clothing, hats, conversation inside the polling place (in Ohio that would be 100 feet out). Thank you

benld74

(9,889 posts)
10. I never take flyers handed out
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 01:40 PM
Sep 2020

Outside our polling place. I politely tell them no thanks. The one push back I got was a piece of work. Informed me they had right to be there.
I told them, “ You’re correct. Considering I look much older than you, I would think I’ve been foing this longer. NO flyer is gonna change my vote between here and the 250 feet to the ballot box. If you’re getting paid per flyer, I’d suggest you to move
on”.
Twitter mentioned the Virginia group tRumping the early voting places are known to have received $$$ from ‘guess who’?
So my guess is they are stupid Americans who bought his scam, or true agitators.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»What to do if disruptors ...