Montgomery County is listening to residents’ safety concerns ahead of the election

NORRISTOWN. Tensions in the highly contested presidential election continue to rise as Montgomery County officials receive reports of behavioral issues until election day.

A county spokesman referred the incidents in a statement released Friday because the county received reports that voters were “uncomfortable with the activities of other members of the public who were verbally and videotaped outside of drop boxes and voter satellite offices.” .

Montgomery County election security was discussed

County officials stressed the importance of residents being respectful when interacting with neighbors, as well as with poll workers and Montgomery County Voter Services office staff.

“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,” Montgomery County Board of Elections Chairman Neil Mahija 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 interested in the democratic process in Montgomery County, we also want to make sure that passions don’t get too fired up,” Montgomery County Board of Elections Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder said in a statement. . “No one should ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe going to the polling station, and no one should be prevented from exercising their democratic right.”

More than 632,919 voters are registered to vote in Tuesday’s election in Montgomery County. On election day, 2,800 polling stations will operate in 426 polling stations across the country. However, they are “not tasked with responding to matters related to suspected criminal activity,” a county spokesman said.

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office has set up an election hotline at 610-292-2024 to report suspicious activity at polling places, or up to 18 drop boxes where voters can return their mail-in ballots.

County officials convened in September at a press conference on the security measures, District Attorney Kevin Steele and Montgomery County officials repeatedly reiterated that any “suspected criminal activity or threats to harass or intimidate voters, voter officials or candidates” would not be tolerated.

The Montgomery County Detective Bureau has also created a Threat Assessment Management Unit tasked with investigating threats against public employees, schools, houses of worship, election offices and public property. It consists of a lieutenant, an analyst and seven detectives, with additional support from the agency, Steele said during an election security briefing in September.

“We work very closely with the (Montgomery) 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 assisting with operations or doing to make his voice heard, he can do it safely and without fear,” Mahiya said. “We are prepared to deal with any claims of intimidation, harassment or violence.”

Philadelphia County man arrested in connection with threatening phone call to MCRC headquarters

This happens a few days after a A man from Philadelphia County was arrested on October 30 in connection with a phone call with threats to the address Montgomery County Republican Headquarters at Blue Bell.

While party-appointed observers, volunteers, candidates and members of the public can talk to voters and film outside polling stations, people are prohibited from filming inside election offices, at polling stations or engaging in any “acts of voter waiting or harassment,” according to officials district

“So if someone is going to film or take pictures outside of a drop box or polling station, they should obey the law, respect other voters and not interact with any member of the public in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. Use your common sense — we’re all invested in making sure this year’s election goes smoothly,” Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello said in a statement.

County officials stressed that in the event of an emergency at a precinct or polling place “that directly threatens public safety,” area residents should call 911.

“If a voter encounters a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable, they should report it and seek help from the county and the state,” Winder said.

Visit montcovotes to learn more about the Montgomery County general election.