NORRISTOWN — Heightened tensions ahead of a highly contentious presidential election continue to rise as Montgomery County officials have received reports of behavioral concerns leading up to Election Day.
A county spokesperson relayed instances in a statement issued Friday as the county has received reports where voters have felt “uncomfortable with activities of other members of the public engaging verbally and filming interactions outside drop boxes and satellite voter services offices.”
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County officials stressed the importance of area residents conducting themselves in a respectful manner when interacting with neighbors as well as poll workers and Montgomery County Office of Voter Services staff members.
“We want to remind people that any kind of intimidation or harassment against voters or election workers as they fulfill their civic duties is absolutely unacceptable,” Montgomery County Election Board Chairman Neil Makhija said in a statement. “The safety of our poll workers and voters is of the utmost importance.”
“While it’s great to see so many people who are engaged and passionate about the democratic process in Montgomery County, we also want to make sure that passions don’t run too high,” Montgomery County Election Board Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder said in a statement. “Nobody should ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe while they head into their polling location, and nobody should be deterred from exercising their democratic right.”
Montgomery County recorded more than 632,919 registered voters for Tuesday’s election. There will be 2,800 poll workers situated at 426 polling places throughout the county on Election Day. However, they’re “not tasked with responding to issues relating to suspected criminal activity,” a county spokesperson said.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office established an election-related tip line where people can call 610-292-2024 to report suspicious activity at polling places or the 18 drop boxes where voters can return their mail-in ballots.
County officials convened in September for a press conference focusing on security measures, District Attorney Kevin Steele and Montgomery County officials have reiterated time and again that any “suspected criminal activity or threats of harassment or intimidation towards voters, elections officials, or candidates” would not be tolerated.
The Montgomery County Detective Bureau also created a threat assessment management unit tasked with investigating threats against public officials, schools, houses of worship, election offices, and public property. It’s made up of a lieutenant, an analyst, and seven detectives, with additional support from the agency, Steele said during an election security briefing in September.
“We are partnering very closely with the [Montgomery] County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Department of Public Safety, and our municipal law enforcement partners to ensure that every person participating in our elections, whether helping the operations or making their voice heard, can do so safely and without fear,” Makhija said. “We are prepared to address any claims of intimidation, harassment, or violence.”
Philadelphia County man arrested in connection with threatening phone call to MCRC headquarters
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This comes days after a Philadelphia County man was arrested on Oct. 30 in connection with a threatening phone call made to the Montgomery County Republican headquarters in Blue Bell.
While party-appointed poll watchers, volunteers, candidates, and members of the public can engage with voters and film outside of polling places, people are not permitted to take video inside of election offices, polling places or conduct any “acts of voter anticipation or harassment,” according to county officials.
“So if anyone does intend to film or take pictures outside a drop box or polling location, they need to follow the law, be respectful of other voters, and not engage with any member of the public in a way that makes them uncomfortable. Use your common sense—we’re all invested in making sure this year’s election runs smoothly,” Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello said in a statement.
County officials underscored that in the event of an emergency at a drop box or polling place “that directly endangers public safety,” area residents should call 911.
“If a voter does encounter a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable, they should report that activity and seek assistance from the county and the state,” Winder said.
Visit montcovotes for more information about the general election in Montgomery County.
