The state prosecutor considers voter intimidation a top priority

Early voting began this week, and officials want everyone at the polls to stay safe.

That’s why Palm Beach County State’s Attorney Dave Aronberg said he makes voter intimidation a top priority.

He said this election cycle was filled with “the worst political rhetoric” he had ever seen.

In the parking lot of the Acreage Branch Library, a polling place in Palm Beach County, WPTV camera crews raced as a man yelled horrific abuse at a woman to support a candidate.

The man shouted threats and four anti-Semitic insults at Lilly Loudon.

“It’s definitely scary… I’m glad it was just lip service, you know, consider it a blessing.” – she said about the meeting.

Aronberg called the video “vile” and “disgusting,” but said that since Loudon was involved in the campaign, there was nothing he could do.

But if there were any threats against a voter or a poll worker, measures would be taken.

“If someone tries to intimidate you into exercising your constitutional right to vote, it will be a crime,” he explained.

Aronberg said voter intimidation can be charged as a third-degree felony, and it’s not just a concern in our area.

At the federal level, the Justice Department’s Election Threat Task Force recently updated information on four nationwide cases under investigation, including new charges against Richard Cantville of Tampa.

He is accused of threatening an election official, as well as threatening other victims during previous elections.

Aronberg said there are currently no incidents of voter intimidation in the district.

But he said it’s important if someone feels threatened to file a police report.

For Loudon, knowing that Aronberg is taking election threats seriously gives her hope that no one else will have the same experience as her.

“People shouldn’t vote, not vote, or be afraid to even go to the polls because of fear, and those people absolutely need to be cracked down on,” Loudon shared.

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