Poll Worker's Racist Rant Aimed At Black Voter In North Houston

HOUSTON, TX — A Harris County election judge was charged with a misdemeanor after unleashing a string of racially charged comments toward a voter on Tuesday morning. Juanita Barnes was charged with misdemeanor assault after she bumped another woman during a dispute and made several racial comments toward the woman, police said.

The victim, identified as Rolanda Anthony, was at the Iglesia Bautista Libre in the 10300 block of Veterans Memorial to vote.

Anthony said she and was presenting her information to Barnes, who told her there was an issue with her address in the system, according to a Houston Chronicle report.

Anthony told police that she told Barnes that the address was correct. The two women began arguing, and that’s when Barnes, who is white, said to Anthony who is black: "If I were to wear my blackface make up, maybe you would understand what I'm telling you."

Anthony said she tried to walk away from Barnes, but that she followed her and bumped her.

When Anthony said she was calling police, Barnes scoffed and told her they would arrest her because she is black. When sheriff’s deputies arrived, Barnes was issued a citation for bumping Anthony.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez sent out the following Tweet after the incident:

Voters and poll workers should feel safe from harm while participating in our democratic process. We will not tolerate any form of violence or intimidation at the polls. https://t.co/HBgWVHhBio
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) November 6, 2018

It’s unknown if any other charges will be filed or if the Harris County Clerks Office plans to take any action against Barnes because of the incident.

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