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Jilly_in_VA

(14,371 posts)
Thu Aug 12, 2021, 01:47 PM Aug 2021

'We are in harm's way': Election officials fear for their personal safety

In preparation for a vote on local tax assessments last week in Houghton County, Mich., county clerk Jennifer Kelly took extraordinary precautions, asking election staff in this remote northern Michigan community to record the serial numbers of voting machines, document the unbroken seals on tabulators and note in writing that no one had tampered with the equipment.

In the southeastern part of the state, Michael Siegrist, clerk of Canton Township, followed similar steps, even organizing public seminars to explain how ballots are counted.

Despite their efforts, they said they could not fend off an ongoing torrent of false claims and suspicions about voting procedures that have ballooned since President Donald Trump began his relentless attacks on the integrity of the 2020 election last year.

“People still complained about our Dominion voting machines, about the need for more audits, and most of all they complained about the use of Sharpies,” Siegrist said, referring to the widely used pen, which has become the focus of a conspiracy theory gripping Trump supporters in Arizona and other states.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/election-officials-threats/2021/08/11/bb2cf002-f9ed-11eb-9c0e-97e29906a970_story.html
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More right-wing terrorism

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'We are in harm's way': Election officials fear for their personal safety (Original Post) Jilly_in_VA Aug 2021 OP
Relentlessly question and investigate any election that doesn't go their way-- Wingus Dingus Aug 2021 #1
I have been a poll worker for almost 20 years now. redstatebluegirl Aug 2021 #2
I really wanted to be a poll worker this time Jilly_in_VA Aug 2021 #3
100% voting by mail/drop box would help so much renate Aug 2021 #4

Wingus Dingus

(9,173 posts)
1. Relentlessly question and investigate any election that doesn't go their way--
Thu Aug 12, 2021, 02:00 PM
Aug 2021

stalk and harass officials, constantly cast doubt on results and the integrity of the process, clog up courts, conduct audits no matter how unnecessary...that's how they'll bring America down. I think we were lucky we had enough Republicans with some integrity left, at state and local levels, to combat these attacks on democracy but it won't hold up forever.

redstatebluegirl

(12,827 posts)
2. I have been a poll worker for almost 20 years now.
Thu Aug 12, 2021, 02:12 PM
Aug 2021

I told them last week I would not do it any longer. I refuse to be attacked by these mindless minions of 45. The lady I have worked with forever told me she was so sad that a lot of people like me are walking away because of the threats and there are no people stepping up to replace us. It was already bad, but with all the threats, it is unbelievable how bad it is. There will be fewer poll locations if they can't replace all of us of a certain age who have always done our part.

Jilly_in_VA

(14,371 posts)
3. I really wanted to be a poll worker this time
Thu Aug 12, 2021, 03:06 PM
Aug 2021

My husband doesn't want me to. He is afraid for me because of this kind of behavior. I told him I had only one life and would prefer to go down fighting, but he doesn't see it that way. I am undecided now.

renate

(13,776 posts)
4. 100% voting by mail/drop box would help so much
Thu Aug 12, 2021, 03:08 PM
Aug 2021

So obviously it will never happen in red states.

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