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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIllegitimate Trump Poll Watchers Should Be Immediately Arrested. I Don't Count On It.
I am not sure the police will arrest unlawful Trump poll watchers. Too many police might actually support Trump. The more Trump incites hit followers makes it more likely many of his supporters will be armed. Open carry states are the biggest risks.
SHRED
(28,136 posts)Make movies of any harassment and try to get names.
mothra1orbit
(231 posts)that at least in PA there are strict rules about behavior within polling places, and one would hope that Democratic committeepeople--the folks who hand you your sample ballot outside the polls--would be alert for any intimidation, with guns or without guns-- and would make calls to get support for the Democrats--whether the cops are involved or not--even if it's just a matter of escorting nervous voters into the polling places. In fact, local Democratic organizations ought to--and maybe have--make sure they have extra folks hanging around outside polling places. These Trump guys are cowards--that's why they have to brandish guns to appear tough--and I can tell you that a few well-placed elderly women in their Sunday best would go a long way to stifle intimidation at the polls.
If the Trumps were sincerely interested in making sure there was no intereference at the polls, they would encourage their supporters to go to their country Republican headquarters and offer to volunteer legitimately to poll-watch.
catbyte
(34,390 posts)PJMcK
(22,037 posts)It isn't likely that voter intimidation will be widespread or even effective. There are groups of lawyers across the country that are coordinating with Democratic election committees to protect against any attempts at blocking voters. Plus, police departments aren't going to allow random violence.
Some of Donald Trump's supporters are unhinged and it would be surprising if there weren't isolated incidents of violence. In the broadest perspective, though, I'm hopeful and expect that our elections next month will be peaceful, accurate and fair.
I'd like to have an optimistic view about most of our fellow citizens.
TheMastersNemesis
(10,602 posts)Being very active in Democratic politics in Colorado and personally in contact with many Colorado candidates we are prepared here. Colorado is a vote by mail state which helps.