Voter Intimidation Reported In Nassau; Police Boost Presence At Polls

HICKSVILLE, NY — A report of possible voter intimidation at an early voting site in Nassau County has led police to increase patrols at all voting locations, and is also prompting concern about what Election Day could bring.

According to Nassau County Board of Elections Commissioner Jim Scheuerman, residents saw a "patriot group" amassed inside the early voting location at Levittown Hall, located on Levittown Parkway in Hicksville, on Saturday. The group left after a while, but residents felt intimidated by their presence.

Levittown resident Trent Ullrich said he was waiting to vote on Saturday at Levittown Hall and saw a group of men wearing match red sweatshirts emblazoned with "Bellmore Patriots." The men were standing in the lobby of the building, and one went and stood in a doorway to watch people vote for at least 20 minutes.

Ullrich, who works for the campaign of Sen. John Brooks, said he is familiar with the group from rallies they hold at the Bellmore train station.

"I was concerned because I had seen and heard things they've done," Ullrich said. "I've seen them at the Bellmore train station shouting and yelling things. I was worried they were going to start shouting at people."

"This is not something that we take lightly," said Scheuerman, the Democratic commissioner of the Board of Elections. "I'd rather deal with it now before one voter is intimidated out of voting."

Both Scheuerman and Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams reached out to Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder for assistance.

"As acts of political violence have increased throughout the country, Nassau County’s police officers must show our residents that they will not tolerate extremism and stand resolutely with Nassau’s voters," Abrahams wrote in a letter to Ryder. "Our citizens have a fundamental, unalienable right to vote freely, without fear of intimidation, violence, and reprisal. Any reports of trespassing and intimidation must be responded to swiftly and firmly."

In a response, Ryder agreed with Abrahams, saying that he would increase patrols at early voting locations and at polling sites on Election Day.

"The Nassau County Police Department is committed to ensuring that all poling places are secure and that the citizens of Nassau County are able to cast their votes safely," Ryder wrote. "We continue to utilize our intelligence-led policing model and will be monitoring gathered intelligence in advance of and through Election Day."

Many people are on edge this election, especially after armed citizens were found to be watching ballot drops locations in Arizona.

There are multiple avenues to take if residents suspect incidents of voter intimidation or fraud happening either during early voting periods or on Election Day. If people at any voting location feel unsafe, they should call 911 immediately.

If there is no immediate threat, but there is still something you want to report, residents can call the Nassau County Board of Elections at 516-571-VOTE (8683).

The United States Attorney's Office also has people on hand to investigate reports of voting intimidation or fraud, as well as crimes against election officials. Those with complaints about election fraud or voting rights concerns can call (718) 254-7000 through Nov. 8.

Additionally, the Office of the Attorney General has an Election Protection Hotline that residents can make use of. Anyone who experiences problems voting — either during early voting or on Election Day — can report the issue by calling the hotline at (866) 390-2992, submitting complaints online, or emailing election.hotline@ag.ny.gov.

“The right to vote is the very foundation of our democracy,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “My office will always defend New Yorkers’ access to the ballot box, and I will ensure every voter’s right to be heard in the halls of power.”