JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As Election Day nears, voter safety is a big concern.
The Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland said poll workers and election officials are receiving daily threats from people over the security of elections.
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Holland said tensions are high for the presidential election but it’s no excuse to threaten poll workers or intimidate voters.
Holland said he received a threatening text message himself Thursday morning. The message refers to Holland as a “Nazi” and proceeds to list the address of Holland’s son and grandchildren.
“I got threatening posts. You know, our poll workers, our call center, got inundated with phone calls,” Holland said.
The text message is just one example of the high emotions surrounding this year’s presidential election.
Tuesday in Neptune Beach, 18-year-old Caleb Williams was arrested for brandishing a machete outside a polling location. He’s now facing voter intimidation charges.
Voters have protections under Florida law. A person may not “directly or indirectly use or threaten to use force, violence, or intimidation or any tactic of coercion or intimidation to induce or compel an individual.”
When you vote, it’s also important to understand that no one can approach you, hand you information, persuade or threaten you over your voting choice.
Despite the recent incidents of voter intimidation and threats to poll workers, Holland wants to assure everyone that they can still cast their vote safely. These are just some extreme examples of wrongdoing.
“We’ve already had over 200,000 voters vote, and everything’s gone very smoothly,” Holland said. “We’re continuing the process. We think everything will run smoothly, but we’re prepared for whatever comes our way.”
Voter intimidation is a third-degree felony in Florida and is against federal law.
Every polling place has a 150-foot “no solicitation zone” in which no person, group, or organization may approach you. Call 911 and tell an election official if you see someone doing otherwise.
“What we’ve got to advise the public is, if you see acts of violence, if you see things that are interfering with voters or getting into a voting location, call 911, that’s the first call,” Holland said.