Vigilantes in tactical gear have been harassing individuals at drop boxes.
As the November Midterm elections approach, citizens across the United States have already begun dropping their early and mail-in ballots at official ballot drop boxes. However, on the heels of the repeatedly-debunked theory that the last election was tampered with, many individuals have taken it upon themselves to monitor the ballot boxes as vigilantes. These vigilantes, particularly in Arizona, have been causing problems at drop boxes.
As of the beginning of this week, multiple complaints of voter intimidation at ballot boxes have been filed around Arizona. Vigilantes, dressed in tactical gear, have been following, filming, and generally harassing voters coming and going to and from the drop boxes, some in more overtly threatening ways than others.
“Voter harassment may include gathering around ballot drop boxes questioning voters, brandishing weapons, taking pictures of people voting and following or chasing voters who are attempting to drop off their ballots, and it can all be considered voter intimidation,” Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said in a statement. “It is unacceptable.”
“Uninformed vigilantes outside Maricopa County’s drop boxes are not increasing election integrity,” Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer and Board Chair Bill Gates said in a joint statement. “Instead they are leading to voter intimidation complaints.”
“Although monitoring and transparency in our elections is critical, voter intimidation is unlawful,” they added.
Back in May, Arizona state Senator Kelly Townsend encouraged vigilantism efforts for the Midterms, saying “I have been so pleased to hear of all of you vigilantes out there that want to camp out at these drop boxes, right? So do it. Do it.”
However, Townsend has recently attempted to distance herself from the matter. “To be clear, I never said to intimidate anyone,” Townsend tweeted on Monday.
“I should not have to say this but wearing tactical gear while watching a ballot drop box could be considered voter intimidation,” she added. “Don’t do it.”
