Officials of MontCo | Electoral Center

NORRISTOWN, PA. As Election Day approaches, Montgomery County officials are reminding citizens to be polite and respectful when interacting with poll workers, Voter Services personnel and other members of the public at the polls and at the drop boxes.

The county has received reports that voters feel uncomfortable with the actions of other members of the public verbally and videotaped outside of drop boxes and voter service satellite offices.

Members of the public, including party-appointed poll observers, party volunteers, political candidates and other volunteers, are allowed to interact with voters and even film in public places outside polling stations.

However, officials say filming inside polling stations and election commissions, as well as acts of intimidation or harassment of voters, are strictly prohibited.

“We want to remind people that any form of intimidation or harassment of voters or election workers in the performance of their civic duties is completely unacceptable,” said Neil K. Mahija, chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Elections.

“The safety of our poll workers and voters is extremely important. We work very closely with the County Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Public Safety and our municipal law enforcement partners to ensure that every person who participates in our elections, whether they are assisting with operations or doing his voice, can do it safely and without fear. We are ready to consider any claims of intimidation, harassment or violence,” he added.

The 2,800 poll workers are responsible for election operations at the county’s 426 polling stations, and officials say the workers are not tasked with responding to questions related to suspected criminal activity.

Any suspicious activity in the ballot boxes or at the polling stations, including suspected criminal activity, should be reported to the county election service line at 610-292-2024.