This is what we've come to -- an important resource about armed gangs at polling places

[oldtime dfl_er]

The Georgetown Law Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection has created fact sheets for all 50 states, explaining the laws barring unauthorized private militia groups, and WHAT TO DO if groups of armed individuals are near a polling place or voter registration drive. There is a simple drop down menu so you can choose your state to view the corresponding fact sheet.

https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/our-work/addressing-the-rise-of-unlawful-private-paramilitaries/state-fact-sheets/

[blm]

1. Parking spaces should be marked for those voting only, as lack of parking

is also a sneaky vote suppression tactic.

[Raster]

2. Valuable resource!!!

[crickets]

3. Thanks for this - phone number added to contacts. nt

[ProfessorGAC]

4. Um, Ignore Them?

How would they know who's voting for whom?
They don't.
There's no reason to be intimidated. They're showing off their toys but they can't change a thing.
The only advice needed is to pretend they're not there.

[Hekate]

5. I have friends who are poll-workers year after year. Like most, they are elderly...

One in particular, a woman so fearless she’s my personal hero, felt real fear at the polling place in 2016 and 2018 because of lurkers wanting to look over her shoulder at the roll-book, among other things. She says 2020 will be her last year.

So, Professor, with due respect for your intentions, you try your pep-talk on her and she can tell you about the vibes they gave off.

I think of where we are as diverse and all that, but we have our RWNJs too. There aren’t so many Black people here, but there are huge numbers of Latinos, and I think if I were a brown person showing up to vote having to run a gauntlet of unregulated militia in camo and/or cops, I might just turn around and go home. That’s how voter suppression of this type works.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. My Suggestion Is Advice

And I stand by it.
These tools don't know who someone is voting for.
Not before; not after.
One cannot be intimidated unless one allows one's self to be.
They have no power, and no knowledge of voter intentions.
Your last paragraph actually reinforces what I'm saying.

[oldtime dfl_er]

11. What an odd thing to say

to people who are experiencing real fear. Tools like the one cited are useful.

[ProfessorGAC]

14. We Disagree

Some famous liberal said "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself".
Ring any bells?
Fearing someone who can't actually do anything is a self-inflicted wound.
You want to fear the fake soldiers, be my guest.
But, not me. They are nothing, hence nothing to fear.
They are there to try to intimidate. You are suggesting rolling over and let them do so.
That's weak.

[TicketyBoo]

19. "Fearing someone who can't actually do anything..."

Except, they actually CAN. You never know when someone with a gun is actually going to USE it. I'm thinking of the 17-year-old in Kenosha.

Here, I don't think there are any worries like that because nine out of ten people are Republicans, so they don't feel a need to intimidate the few of us who aren't.

[Doremus]

12. Sounds a lot like "pull yourself up with your bootstraps" to me.

Telling people to be fearless is easy to do. Actually providing real help is a little harder.

[ProfessorGAC]

13. It Shouldn't

Because it's nothing remotely close to that.
But, if it makes you happy to accuse me of being a conservative, good luck with that.
It's against TOS but if it makes you happy...

[Lonestarblue]

16. People in areas like El Paso might have good reason to fear white thugs walking around with guns.

If you can get murdered in a Walmart, you can get murdered anywhere, and Hispanics may be especially sensitive about standing in a long line looking like a target. In Texas, even an appointed poll watcher cannot speak with voters, but these people are not appointed. They’re just Trump goons who want to create problems. I would not be intimidated, but I’m white. I’m not likely to be challenged.

[Fiendish Thingy]

6. Forget militias- for the first time 40 years, the GOP will be allowed to hire armed, off duty LEO's

To “monitor” polling places and challenge voters who don’t look “right”.

[DSandra]

7. These attempts should be recorded and sent to others on the internet documenting voter suppression

[2naSalit]

9. +1

[GoneOffShore]

10. Excellent resource - I'll be sharing it to various people who aren't on DU.

[SWBTATTReg]

15. I do have a minor suggestion...if some are fearful of voting alone, go with a member of ...

your family or some of your friends, or neighbors. A hostile group or crowd may try to discourage lawful voting or attempt to keep some from voting ... going together as a group (or a couple, but the point is, don't go alone).

Don't allow others to steal your right to vote (and by the way, how in the heck do they know who you are voting for anyways?).

And if folks are actively trying to keep others from the polling place, in any manner (hostile or not, they are still blocking access, wrong), call the police and notify the voting authorities immediately.

I suspect that in 99.99 percent of the cases, voting will be fine, but there are idiots out there. Be careful of your surroundings and be safe.

[3Hotdogs]

17. I hope you repost this at least, once a week, until election. NT

[Crunchy Frog]

18. It's like trying to hold an election in Somalia.

We are truly heading for failed state status.

[BlueMTexpat]

20. Thank you for posting this.

I have shared the link with my contacts on social media.

[oldtime dfl_er]

22. yr welcome!

[aikoaiko]

21. How many people have been shot at polling places?

[vercetti2021]

23. Walk past them while giving them the finger

I don't fear the small dick army

[liberalla]

24. Bookmarking

Thank you!