Voter Intimidation Already Present at North Carolina Polls

In addition to long wait times, many North Carolinians are encountering unofficial “poll watchers” and other voter intimidation at polling locations this year. Source.

After President Trump made comments at the first Presidential debate encouraging his supporters to “go into the polls and watch very carefully,” stroking paranoia of voter fraud, election watchers and regular Americans alike have been concerned about the possible impact of his fear mongering. 

Poll watchers, officially, are intended to ensure fairness on behalf of their party by monitoring voter turnout and the election administration without interfering in the election process. In many states, they are appointed by a political party, or ballot issue committee, or even a candidate. Poll watchers are intended to be present discretely and give extra comfort to any non-partisan voter that the elections are existing freely and fairly as intended. 

The confusion surrounding Trump’s statement during the debate came among a host of other misleading claims about voter fraud, and to many people, it seemed like this was a statement encouraging voters to literally stand watch over the ballots. His rhetoric enforced the belief that civilians can and should remain present at their polling locations to prevent “fraud” which President Trump alleges that his Democratic opponents are planning.

Many veteran organizers and voter rights activists have taken issue with the language and practice of Trump’s poll watchers and the militant-like operation he is encouraging. Regardless of the state laws on official poll watchers, voter intimidation is illegal nationwide. Pundits are worried that Trump’s encouragement of poll watchers might be understood by his supporters as an encouragement to intimidate voters.

According to North Carolina law, each political party can have “observers” inside of voting buildings, but only ten observers per county and 100 at the state level. Their names must be submitted before the election. They are only allowed to communicate with election officials, not voters. Anyone else, including self-appointed poll observers, must remain outside of the precinct and 50 feet from the perimeter. However, at a rally this Tuesday in Winston-Salem, Trump specifically encouraged his North Carolina supporters to act as poll watchers. 

Former Wake County Commissioner and State House member Gary Pendleton was charged with assault on Friday after shoving a poll worker. Pendleton is a Republican poll watcher and says the incident happened after the worker refused to let himself and other watchers in before voting began at 8 a.m. Pendleton has been a poll watcher for years and says he has never had issues. Whether or not this incident is a reflection on heightened political tensions this cycle or a response to the president’s increased warnings of fraud is impossible to say as of now. It is, however, an important question to monitor to ensure that democratic elections will exist in N.C.

Only a week and a half into early voting, North Carolina’s early-voting numbers are record-setting. But with increased polling numbers, Election officials remain cautious of increased attempts to intimidate voters, especially minority groups that have historically not had the right to vote or easy access to the polls. The North Carolina NAACP has already responded to a large volume of complaints statewide about aggressive voter intimidation, including allegations of self-appointed poll watchers recording voters, police officers stationed at polling locations, and poll attendees uttering abusive language including racial slurs at voters. Additionally, there have been multiple reports of voting information not being shared correctly, such as the wrong days or times to vote. One woman in Union County even reported workers reminding people to have their driver’s license ready while waiting in line, which is not a requirement in North Carolina to vote. An organization called Forward Justice has already investigated 50 claims of voter intimidation, including electioneering in the buffer zone and open carry firearm issues.

The record-shattering numbers nationwide of newly registered voters, early voters, and voters between the ages of 18-29 are incredible and worth appreciating even if the election is taxing. If you plan to vote in North Carolina, it is helpful to know what your rights are and where/when you can vote. For all questions relating to voting, visit the North Carolina State Board of Elections site.