Election Day Pennsylvania: State Police running speed patrol within eyeshot polling place

[hexola]

If they are still out there when I go vote, I'll take a picture. Saw 2 cruisers.

[Wilms]

1. And?

[meow2u3]

2. If they stop a repuke for speeding, I have no problem with it

[Packerowner740]

5. If they stop anyone for speeding I have no problem with it.

[MineralMan]

3. I'm not sure I'm seeing a problem, there.

Why do you think it is a problem? Are they harassing voters?

[yellowcanine]

4. At best it is ill advised. At worst could be seen as intimidation.

Why not move away from the polling place and avoid any appearance of intimidation?

[MineralMan]

6. So, you feel that having police checking traffic speed is

intimidation? I can't see it that way, I guess. Personally, I'd like to have cops in the polling places, enforcing the laws against electioneering and watching for people trying to stop people from voting.

Cops running speed checks on the street? Sounds like a regular day to me.

[yellowcanine]

8. On an ordinary day, no. On election day within sight of a polling place, yes. Context is

everything. We don't need cops in polling places. Election judges can do the job just fine.

[snooper2]

7. Maybe they don't want people speeding and driving stupid where lots of people may be walking?

[yellowcanine]

10. So hire some crossing guards. State troopers are over kill.

[Blue_Tires]

14. I've seen cops at my polling place directing the flow of parking lot traffic

A speed trap in that location is dumb, but its not like they're going to catch anyone...

[MadrasT]

9. Well that kills my plans to go drunk-voting.

Kidding... voted by absentee ballot last week.

[NightWatcher]

11. if people see a lot of cops around a polling place, some may turn around and go home

I'm no big fan of the police but some people have rightfully been taught to avoid the police at all costs. I know several young black males who were told as kids to just stay out of trouble and stay away from the police so you don't get tangled up in some mess.

If people are going to a polling place to lets say vote on legalization of marijuana and they see a bunch of cops sitting nearby, they may feel afraid that the police might be stopping, searching, or arresting people who support legalization. In South Carolina a sheriff said that he would lean on people and arrest those who were pro-legalization.

We don't need the police at the polls.

[FarCenter]

12. Our polling place is in the same building as the police station

Should I be intimidated?

[One_Life_To_Give]

13. Cop routinely assigned to my polling place

There is a cop assigned to my regular suburban polling place. Hadn't really though about it intimidating anyone. He/She is there partly because it's a public school. And if one of the poll workers were to call for assistance they are within earshot.