On Tuesday, numerous polling places and ballot-counting locations across five key battleground states received bomb threats, primarily targeting Democratic-leaning counties. While none of the threats were deemed credible, they appear to have been coordinated and aimed at influencing either the perception or actual outcome of the election. The threats, originating from various sources including Russian and French email services, were largely directed at high-population Democratic counties in states considered crucial for winning the election, such as Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Detroit, Michigan. Thankfully, preparations for such scenarios minimized disruptions, with locations temporarily closed reopening later that day and no evidence of significant impact on voter turnout.
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The Kenosha County Democratic Party has reported receiving calls about local residents receiving letters warning of “reprisal and biblical hell fire” for showing support for Vice President Kamala Harris, instead of former President Donald Trump. These letters have sparked fear and anxiety among citizens, and the local police department is investigating. The letters, which are unsigned, criticize the Democratic party, accusing it of supporting open borders for illegal immigrants, including “felons and evil people”, and of advocating for communism. Lori Hawkins, chair of the Kenosha County Democratic Party, has said people have reported damage to Democratic yard signs, a trend not observed with Republican signs. Despite these incidents, hundreds of people turned out for the recent canvassing days held by the Kenosha County Democratic Party.
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A US federal judge has backed an Ohio law requiring voters to prove their citizenship, controversially overruling his previous rejection of the legislation in 2006. Judge Christopher Boyko deemed the potential for “random challenges” over voters’ names, appearances or accents to be limited by the amended statute, which only allows precinct election officials to challenge voters. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio is now urging naturalised citizens to ensure they bring their citizenship documentation in case they’re challenged in their bid to vote.
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The state of Ohio has clarified that slogans affiliated with a political party, candidate, or ballot issue are allowed in polling places, as long as they do not display the name of the party, candidate, or issue. This interpretation has reportedly been steady since Secretary of State Frank LaRose took office, although some county officials had previously believed such implicit endorsements were prohibited. The state advised that voters who display such material and refuse to remove or cover it must still be allowed to vote if they are otherwise eligible. This has raised concerns among some poll workers who worry it could incite violence or conflict.
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The news of a second ballot-box fire in Clark County, destroying “hundreds” of ballots, is not just alarming; it feels like a violation of our democracy. Each time I hear about acts like this, a mix of anger and despair churns in my gut. It raises questions about how far we allow this erosion of democratic norms to continue unchecked. The implications are serious, and the stakes have never been higher.
The audacity behind these actions is staggering. As someone who lives in a politically charged environment, I can’t help but connect this incident to a broader pattern of intimidation and disruption that has become all too familiar in recent years.… Continue reading
Witnessing the chaos at polling places is disheartening, especially when those who should be participating in our democratic process choose violence over civility. The recent incident in Bexar County, where a voter punched a poll worker because he was reminded of the law prohibiting political attire inside a voting site, speaks volumes about the increasingly toxic environment surrounding elections. As I read about the 63-year-old man assaulting a 69-year-old poll worker for simply doing her job, I can’t help but feel a mixture of disbelief and anger.
It seems almost absurd that someone could react with such aggression over a non-threatening reminder about election rules.… Continue reading
The discovery that the FBI found hundreds of weapons at the home of a suspect linked to a shooting at the Arizona Democratic Party office sends shivers down my spine. We’ve reached a disturbing chapter in American society where individuals feel emboldened to act on their monstrous ideologies, often with little regard for the broader implications their actions might have. This incident raises crucial questions about public safety, gun control, and the escalating political climate that seems to have regular people caught in its crosshairs.
A neighbor’s description of the suspect strikes a deep chord. The term “January 6-type person” isn’t merely a description; it’s an acknowledgment of a dangerous mindset that has gained a foothold in our communities.… Continue reading
I can’t believe that in this day and age, we are still dealing with issues of voter intimidation and discrimination. The recent incident involving a MAGA Sheriff’s post about Harris yard signs getting his department booted from election duties is truly disheartening. It’s alarming to see a law enforcement official using their position to target individuals based on their political beliefs.
The fact that people had to take down their yard signs out of fear is a clear indication of the impact such irresponsible behavior can have on our democratic process. Threatening lawsuits for invasion of privacy, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil rights violations just shows how serious this issue is.… Continue reading
As I sit here reflecting on the recent news surrounding a sheriff’s department’s refusal to provide election security due to threatening comments made by the sheriff himself, I can’t help but feel a mix of outrage and disbelief. The fact that a law enforcement agency, which is meant to uphold the law and protect citizens, has now been deemed too compromised to handle election security is a testament to the gravity of the situation.
The sheriff’s comments, in which he suggested writing down the addresses of those with yard signs supporting a particular candidate, are not just reckless but border on intimidation and voter suppression.… Continue reading
The recent news about the Ohio sheriff making comments about tracking members of a specific political party based on their yard signs is deeply concerning. Voter intimidation is a serious issue, and using an official government position to suggest such tactics is unacceptable. How is it legal to engage in such behavior in the United States? This kind of abuse of power should not be tolerated. Condemnation is not enough in this case; the sheriff should be removed from office and held accountable for his actions.
It is alarming to see law enforcement officials engaging in behavior that undermines the democratic process.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker