Officials in multiple states are taking aggressive steps to protect voters from efforts by militias or other armed groups seeking to congregate near polling places on Election Day, as simmering online activity indicates that some groups are trying to register as campaign poll watchers for Donald Trump
In Michigan, an open carry state, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on Friday announced a ban on open carry firearms at and near polls.
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo said at a Thursday press conference that she's"putting security provisions in place" to assure voters"there's no place for violence, there's no place for threats." "The call to watch the polls, initially made by President Trump himself in the first presidential debate, has been answered by several far-right groups," the SITE report said.
Poll watchers are legal under strict rules that vary by state. In most states, both parties are permitted to have trained representatives observe the voting process, relay information back to their parties, and watch for irregularities. They are not supposed to interfere with voting aside from reporting issues through official channels.
The SITE report said efforts by the Proud Boys or similar groups to volunteer for Trump"have so far not been followed with direct threats of voter suppression," but it could be"inferred" that their"presence at election locations as 'poll watchers' would potentially serve to intimidate, pressure and harass oppositional voters."
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