JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As Election Day approaches, voter safety is a major concern.
Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland said poll workers and election officials receive threats from people daily about election security.
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Holland said tensions are high ahead of the presidential election, but that is not an excuse to threaten polling stations or intimidate voters.
Holland said he received a threatening text message himself on Thursday morning. The message refers to the Netherlands as a “Nazi” and goes on to mention the address of Holland’s son and grandchildren.
Message sent to Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland. (WJXT)
“I received threatening messages. You know, our poll workers and our call center were inundated with calls,” Holland said.
The text message is just one example of the high emotions surrounding this year’s presidential election.
On Tuesday in Neptune Beach, 18-year-old Caleb Williams was arrested for brandishing a machete outside a polling place. He now faces charges of voter intimidation.
Have voters protection under Florida law. A person shall not “use or threaten to use, directly or indirectly, force, violence or intimidation or any tactic of coercion or intimidation to induce or coerce any individual.”
When you vote, it is also important to understand that no one can approach you, hand over information, persuade or threaten you because of your voting choice.
Despite recent incidents of voter intimidation and threats against poll workers, the Netherlands wants to assure everyone that they can still cast their votes safely. These are just a few extreme examples of misconduct.
“More than 200,000 voters have already voted and everything has gone very smoothly,” Holland said. “We are continuing the process. We think everything will go smoothly, but we are prepared for whatever comes our way.”
Voter intimidation is a third-degree crime in Florida and violates federal law.
Each polling station has a 50 meter ‘no invitation zone’ in which no person, group or organization is allowed to approach you. Call 911 and tell an election official if you see someone doing something different.
“What we need to advise the public is, if you see acts of violence, if you see things interfering with voters or entering a voting location, call 911, that’s the first call,” Holland said.
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