'Uncomfortable' Interactions, Filming Near Montgomery Co. Voting Sites

NORRISTOWN, PA — Numerous instances of "uncomfortable" interactions, filming, and borderline intimidation have occurred at voter drop boxes and satellite voting offices in Montgomery County and recent days, prompting a warning from authorities.

Some individuals have been posting up outside polling places, starting arguments, filming interactions between voters, and in general, making some voters uncomfortable, according to residents and officials.

"While it’s great to see so many people who are engaged and passionate about the democratic process in Montgomery County, we also want to make sure that passions don’t run too high,” Montgomery County Commissioner Jamila Winder said in a statement. "Nobody should ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe while they head into their polling location, and nobody should be deterred from exercising their democratic right."

The county says they will investigate and persecute voter intimidation. But determining exactly what qualifies as illegal actions can be challenging, particularly when modern elections involve activities and behavior from voters never seen before.

It is legal for anyone, whether they be self appointed "poll watchers," volunteers with any political party, candidates themselves, and others to talk to voters outside the polls.

However, any sort of voter intimidation and harassment is strictly illegal. As is any filming inside polling locations and election offices. But what may be harassment to one voter, going to pick up a ballot at a voter services office, may just be run of the mill volunteer work to a dedicated party member.

County officials attempted to clear up the disparity, implying that basically, you'll know it — voter intimidation — when you see it.

"(Don't) engage with any member of the public in a way that makes them uncomfortable," Commissioner Tom TiBello said. "Use your common sense—we’re all invested in making sure this year’s election runs smoothly.”

The county is working closely with the sheriff's office and the district attorney's office, along with local police, to protect poll workers and provide security at voter services offices and at polling places on Election Day.

The county has some 2,800 poll workers at 426 polling sites across the county.