Trump Supporters Disrupt Early Voting in Virginia
Category: News & Politics
Via: sister-mary-agnes-ample-bottom • 4 years ago • 191 commentsBy: Nick Corasaniti and Stephanie Saul 10 hrs ago (MSN)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Trump Supporters Disrupt Early Voting in Virginia
A group of Trump supporters waving campaign flags disrupted the second day of early voting in Fairfax, Va., on Saturday, chanting "four more years" as voters entered a polling location and, at one point, forming a line that voters had to walk around outside the site.
County election officials eventually were forced to open up a larger portion of the Fairfax County Government Center to allow voters to wait inside away from the Trump enthusiasts.
Election officials said that the group stayed about 100 feet from the entrance to the building and, contrary to posts on social media, were not directly blocking access to the building. But they acknowledged that some voters and polling staff members felt intimidated by what some saw as protesters.
"Citizens coming into and leaving the building did have to go by them," Gary Scott, the general registrar of Fairfax County, said in a statement. "Those voters who were in line outside of the building were moved inside and we continued operations. Some voters, and elections staff, did feel intimidated by the crowd and we did provide escorts past the group. One of the escorts was the county executive."
In an unnerved electorate, where concerns about voting rights and safely voting amid the coronavirus pandemic are at a fever pitch, the demonstration outside of a polling place served as preview of a likely contentious election season, and how groups may be utilizing tactics that rattle or even deter voters over the next six weeks.
The disruption came as President Trump has repeatedly sought to undermine confidence in the upcoming election, spreading falsehoods about voting by mail and declaring the election "rigged" before any votes have even been cast.
The demonstration originated from a "Trump Train" parade that began in nearby Prince William County and featured Tommy Hicks Jr., the current Republican National Committee co-chairman. The event was set to end in the parking lot of the government center, which was also serving as the polling location on Saturday. Some of the people who attended the parade walked over to vote. Others gathered outside and began chanting, "four more years, four more years!"
Sean Rastatter, a vice chair at the Fairfax County Republican Committee who was at the polling location, said that he did not think any actions came close to voter intimidation, and that many of the discussions from members of the group were with journalists.
"I don't think there was any way to need or feel intimidated in any form," Mr. Rastatter said. He added that county officials asked the group on several instances to back away from the curb, and that the group complied.
Bryan Graham, the chairman of the Fairfax County Democrats who was also at the polling center, saw it differently, writing on Twitter that "the Republicans are straight-up attempting to intimidate voters at the government center."
In an interview, Mr. Graham said he'd "never seen or heard of anything like this happening before."
"I was there when the county executive was there and I saw him walk multiple people through the crowd because they didn't feel safe," Mr. Graham said. "I don't think it's appropriate. We shouldn't be doing things to make people feel unsafe."
Steve Descano, the county attorney, did not directly address the demonstration in a statement posted to Facebook on Saturday, but said that he was "instructing my office to pursue cases of voter intimidation that may occur."
Virginia election law states that it is illegal to "hinder or delay a qualified voter in entering or leaving a polling place," and that it is also prohibited to perform any kind of political advocacy within 40 feet of any entrance to a polling place.
Videos of the demonstrators quickly went viral on social media, and show them gathering outside the entrance, holding up Trump campaign signs and chanting as voters walked past them.
Some election rights groups said that the Trump group might have still crossed a legal line.
"In Virginia, the safe zone around the polling location is only 40 feet, but that safe zone is for campaigning and trying to change a person's vote," said Sylvia Albert, director of voting and elections at Common Cause, a voting rights group. "Outside of that, in general, there are laws against intimidation. So I would say that even if they have a right to campaign, which they absolutely do, they do not have a right to interfere with someone's right to vote or to intimidate them."
"To me, this went beyond campaigning and they should have been removed."
The first two days of early voting in Virginia were marked by high turnout and long lines, with voters beginning to line up early in the morning, hours before polls opened. The state offered expanded early voting in an attempt to alleviate crowding at polling centers during the pandemic.
Ms. Albert added that the demonstration underscored the need for counties and municipalities to develop contingency voting plans for all situations.
"Contingency plans aren't only if there is a hurricane or a pandemic," she said. "It's also if something is making my polling location inaccessible to voters. That could be power going down, that could be people protesting and blocking the door."
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The disruption came as President Trump has repeatedly sought to undermine confidence in the upcoming election, spreading falsehoods about voting by mail and declaring the election "rigged" before any votes have even been cast.
I'm glad I live in a vote by mail state. the temptation might prove to be too great to protect and defend our most basic American right from autocrat enabling fascist scumbags.
gee, were people not allowed to vote? I see nothing stating that
Can you show that these intimidation techniques did not succeed even once?
How do you feel about Trump supporters being so terrified of the election that they are actively trying to dissuade people from voting? They don't seem very confidant in their candidate's ability to win.
Are you talking about the people in this story? Because I don't see them trying to dissuade people from voting. They seem to be encouraging people to vote for Trump. Their signs say Trump and Pence, not "don't vote."
not any more than you can show me anyone was intimidated.
what exactly in the article leads you to believe they were even trying to intimidate anyone?
It's called a hard spin. They see a kitten and claim a lion.
Like little children constantly crying wolf.
Sad, isn't it?
Once again Texan you made the claim that you didn't see anyone prevented from voting.
Now from here your choices are:
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I won't be intimidated by POUTUS supporters. I will do my early voting probably on a Saturday or after work and walk into that library and get 'er done. But I will be wearing my steel toes that day
That is exactly right.
If you know and can prove differently, have at it--I will look at any link you can provide me.
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[Texan is not the topic]
If you have any evidence of intimidation, I am open to reading it.
If you have any evidence of intimidation, I will look at it.
It's in the seeded article. Read it.
Doesn't answer my question...as usual.
read it. no intimidation
if you have any evidence if intimidation, i will look at it.
pretty scary, huh?
lol!
If I were voting in person, I would bring a STFU TARDS sign with me just in case.
You would need to stay 100 feet away from the polling place then; just like they did.
That's not a political sign
Still refusing to answer the question.
"It's called a hard spin. They see a kitten and claim a lion."
It's the current 'president' supporters who are the spin doctors. Not us.
If you have evidence of intimidation, I will look at it.
When, or IF, it is ever provided.
Election officials said that the group stayed about 100 feet from the entrance to the building and, contrary to posts on social media, were not directly blocking access to the building.
Gee, sounds a lot like peaceful protesting was going on.
sounds like some folks have their panties in a wad over nothing
Yeah, nothing illegal; but the left is still bitching. What else is new?
Seems the left forgets what voter intimidation really looks like. So here is a reminder.
Wow..... got anything more relevant than a video from 2010? He looks so threatening too.
Keep in mind, in most states, you'll find laws that prohibit campaigning inside, or within 100' of a polling place.
Republicans are such candy-asses.
Please post something that isn't 10 years old. Seriously.
Oops, I didn't see your call-out, and posted my own. Ordinarily, I would delete, but in this case it's worth saying twice.
I was wondering what trumpturd supporter would bring that up. NO CASE OF VOTER INTIMIDATION HERE.
Exactly. This is a peaceful demonstration. Nobody throwing things. No fires lit. No windows broken. An actually peaceful demonstration.
Voter intimidation. Plain and simple.
That's a great point!
Oh wait, I guess it's not a great point. Sorry, I guess you should have read the article.
They aren't the ones complaining. Instead we have people complaining about people who are 100 feet from the entrance, and are not blocking it. Complaining about that sounds pretty candy ass to me.
What do you mean by intimidating? Do you think people were afraid to vote? Afraid to approach the building.
How are they intimidating? Do they seem violent? Were they chanting threats? Shaking their fists? Pointing weapons? Throwing things? Maybe hiding their faces in case they decided get rough with people or vandalize something?
Oh wait. I just looked at the picture again. A bunch of those people are African Americans. Are they intimidating because they're black?
maybe after this summer they gave forgotten what real peaceful demonstrations are
It's not a really peaceful demonstration until a car gets lit on fire.
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Actually, liberals tend to be college graduates while conservatives mostly haven't even graduated high school.
Right, those precincts in cities that vote 99% for Democrats are conclaves of Rhodes scholars.
Hate to burst your bubble, but the last time exit polls measured voters without a high school degree, 2012, it was the group Obama ran up his largest margins.
And I’ll bet if you looked at those precincts with the highest percentage of voters who lacked high school degrees, Clinton cleaned up there too.
And you know what two groups are among the poorest educated?
Blacks and Hispanics.
Who liberals swear only vote for Republicans if they vote against their own interests.
An awesome point and great question!
Actually, conservatives tend to be college graduates while liberals mostly haven't even graduated high school.
pffft, thumper colleges don't count ...
why do 2 of the poorest educated groups vote Democratic by a large majority?
what do you consider thumper colleges. whatever that means?
Dog-do!
Voter intimidation . . . something trumpturd strongly endorses.
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Oh that is interesting. When did he do that?
we know from the article that there was no intimidation
Did you miss that Trump stated that he wanted to sent Sheriffs and the Military to the polls?
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removed for context
From the article:
"Citizens coming into and leaving the building did have to go by them," Gary Scott, the general registrar of Fairfax County, said in a statement. "Those voters who were in line outside of the building were moved inside and we continued operations. Some voters, and elections staff, did feel intimidated by the crowd and we did provide escorts past the group. One of the escorts was the county executive."
Who would be intimidated by a Trump sign and chants of 4 more years?
if THAT is intimidating they should just shelter in their safe places.
Heck, I have seen more intimidating things from homeless people panhandling.
Intimidating? HA!
In my neck of the woods, that voter intimidation shit is illegal and not tolerated.
Most of us have known each other since we were kids.
Nobody asks "who are you voting for?"
Election days are just a good excuse to run into old friends for pot luck.
Mocking people from a safe distance doesn't exactly elevate your own level of bravery.
Mocking? By chanting "four more years?"
Texan is the one mocking from a safe distance.
weak and scared little people who by default are unfit to govern anything including a city dog pound.
but they want to run our country... LOL
These people are not running for office, dear. They just want to vote without a group of fat guys screaming, "Trump that bitch!" in their face.
their policies are on the ballot
Going Chicken Little because someone had (GASP!!!) a Trump sign ain't my thing, sorry!
If people are intimidated by a Trump sign, they have FAR bigger problems to deal with mentally and I suggest they seek counselling.
The Trump people had signs, and chanted. Oh, NO!!! The sheer HORROR of it all!
Even your OWN article says they did NOT BLOCK entrances, were well away from the entrances (as required by Virginia law) and stopped NO ONE from voting.
All this faux-poutrage is amusing at least, thank God.
He will do that now and then.
To repeat: Intimidation is interference. One doesn't have to physically block someone from voting in order to interfere with their voting rights.
To repeat:
Prove intimidation.
Holding a sign and chanting 4 more years is hardly intimidating.
Heck, if THAT is the new criteria, every political convention with a sitting President being nominated again would be intimidation. Just about every political rally on both sides would also qualify as intimidating based on your new qualifiers. (They have political signs at those events!)
Therein lies the issue. Even weak and scared little people are entitled to the protections and the freedoms provided in the Constitution.
I never claimed it did.
Why are you making this personal?
sure... totally agree.
but we don't let those scared and weak little people govern us
people intimidated by a trump sign? are not just weak, they are pathetic and in need of mental help
perhaps we should try to raise awareness and get those people the help they need?
You don't strike me as someone who puts a lot of effort into philanthropic concerns. However, if you are serious, you might consider volunteering at your nearest polling venue. Many senior citizens prefer early voting, and an escort through the process is usually appreciated.
Didn't realize that there were voting booths at those events. Thanks for the update.
[.]
Strawman. I never claimed there were.
I don't see any voting booths in the pictures associated with the seeded article, and nothing in it suggests or even hints that there were voting booths close to the peacefully assembled people holding signs for a candidate and chanting 4 more years.
You're welcome.
They are breaking the law by interfering. LOCK THEM UP!
They did not break any laws.
Get real about this, please.
In other words the Trump supporters didn’t block access to anyone or any entrances and were over 100’ from the polling place and thus it was a totally legal peaceful protest assembly.
I doubt that such demonstrating will change a single vote, and if any were changed it would be away from Trump and toward Biden. The election officials there must make sure though that no voters are actually impeded or blocked or threatened and if necessary arrests should be made.
It won't change anything. Fairfax voted blue in 2016, and I can't see them going red this time around.
They live in Virginia, and are therefore Virginians, and have every much as right to vote in their state of residence as any other Virginian. Unless you're for taxation without representation?
Why would you assume they come from Maryland, or that Maryland has been destroyed? Why would you think Virginia is "going into the toilet"? Our economy took a hit from the virus, but so did the economy worldwide, and we seem to be recovering pretty well. Virginia ranks high in the US in the percentage of our population with a college education, and our high school graduation rate is above average. Our rates of poverty and violent crime are lower than the national average. What's in "the toilet"?
BTW, Maryland doesn't look all that bad, either.
Please post a verifiable link.
So that is what you think of your neighbors, fellow human beings?
Thanks for showing your true colors.
My sister and her family live in Fairfax.
Again, thanks for showing your true colors.
Perhaps you'll recognize this source. It's a newspaper from your neck of the woods, which, according to MBFC, is right-center:
Seems like we were in pretty good shape heading into the pandemic.
Virginia law enforcement officers still have qualified immunity.
Thanks again MUVA. My sister who lives in Fairfax is a special needs teacher, my brother in law works for the Navy and my nieces are 1) a special needs teacher, 2) an English teacher, and 3) my nephew works for a software company and they are all education, highly intelligent and NOT MOOCHERS.
ALSO THEY ALL VOTE BLUE!!!!
trumpturd has no qualifications that qualify him as a fellow 'human being'
I meant to say - they are highly educated
"BTW, Maryland doesn't look all that bad, either."
No Sandy, it doesn't. I'm a Marylander. Work in Baltimore City, live in Howard County. My co-workers, family, friends, everyone I know is VOTING BLUE.
So many recall all of trumpturd's lies/hateful comments about Baltimore being a shithole city.
We here in Maryland remember his insults regarding Mr. Elijah Cummings and the city he loved/represented for many years.
So post that on your business' website and refuse all of their business.
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So.....tell us again what you think of Trump supporters.
I'm curious to hear your description again.
Yes you did, for all to see.
No need, you know exactly how I feel.
I want to see his papers
Then what does that sentence mean?
You're calling them swamp dwellers and accusing them of depending on gov't spending. Sounds an awful lot like you're calling them moochers
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I would never intentionally insult Tessy. If I did, I do apologize.
"I would never intentionally insult Tessy. If I did, I do apologize."
I don't even know what you said Paula (prior to it being removed) but I know you wouldn't. No worries.
What.....Paula deliberately insulting you?
Never happen. Both you and Paula have too much class to wallow in the gutter like the Repubs and throw deliberate insults out just to see who takes the bait and then sit back and laugh.
While I did not see what Paula wrote, I don't need to. I have been here a loong time, and it is not hard to figure people out and their MO. And Friends don't insult Friends. Only A-holes do that, and that leaves both of these ladies out of the equation.
Reinstate this comment, charger. They are friends and neither one would insult the other. And no offense, but I'm not sure why you are moderating this seed. You are not needed here.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hahahahahahasnortcoughcoughdoublesnorthahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!
I doubt it too. Same with people throwing tantrums about supporters of a candidate. I do think rioting and looting that is allowed by one party has the potential to sway votes though.
If anything, I hope that those who were going to vote Trump sees just what a whackado he is with these protests and change their votes to Biden.
That is rather laughable. Like seeing a Trump sign is going to be so upsetting to someone already planning to vote for Trump, they will now switch to Biden?
LOL!
Leave it to the Shit Stain in the white house supporters to fuck with an election...but what else is new. Disgusting pieces of shit. And you won't hear a peep from his supporters condemning this.
was anyone prevented from voting?
is this basically more Chicken Little crying?
As previously stated to your friend, intimidation is interference.
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if someone us intimidated by a freaking sign and chants of 4 more years. that is their personal problem
You mean the right wing agitators/inciters/domestic terrorists?
Terrorists like boogaloo and proud boys.
After this election, they will be the Proud Cut Boys. (An equine term)
What's to condemn....we're talking about freedom of speech and expression here?
Nope, not when it interferes with someone else's voting rights. No business being there unless they are casting a vote.
no one was interfered with
Sorry, but according to the Constitution and all applicable law, that have every right to be there. That their presence bothers a few delicate Dems is irrelevant
Intimidation is interference.
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Any campaigning within 100 feet of a polling location is illegal in most if not all states Greg.....
the article pointed out how far away they were. and that they did not block entry
Election officials said that the group stayed about 100 feet from the entrance to the building and, contrary to posts on social media, were not directly blocking access to the building.
By contrast, many Biden supporters appear to enjoy harassing and intimidating old people eating their lunch, blocking traffic, etc, etc.
I'm not in the mood to fuck around with you today. Stop or leave.
stop posting the truth???
Last warning.
can you please explain what is intimidating about Trump/Pence signs and chants of 4 more years from 30 YARDS away?
Intimidation is different things to different people. Yelling 'trump that bitch' and forcing folks to walk around them would freak the hell out of an elderly couple.
Besides, those Trump supporters would not be doing what they are doing if it wasn't intimidating to non-Trump supporters.
again, people feeling intimidated by basically nothing is THEIR problem
I wish people would actually read AND comprehend the article instead of lookin at click at headlines
Correct, but the distance is actually 500 YARDS.
I say bullshit. Prove your silly assertion
No intimidation, just a vast overreaction from some who are scared of trump and/or conservatives.
Virginia LAW:
No way even CLOSE to 500 feet.
California, Texas, and New York are all 100 feet.
I didn't bother with any more because it is pretty clear that most are not 500 feet.
Do you know any state that is true in?
Where?
Please list a few states that is true in, since you claimed it is that way in most or all states.
No one is going to leave or stop when we are right and have truth on our side here. The people for Trump did nothing wrong and the article headline is a lie based on the content within regarding the pro Trump people’s actions.
Public place, they have EVERY right to be there. The folks all upset can go pound sand--the real peaceful protesters were well within their rights and the law.
100 feet is not 500 yards.
Read the damn article- they didn't violate any laws. Just some butt-hurt Democrats complaining about nothing again.
Want to talk about the Democratic backed leftist Brown Shirts committing arson, assault, murder, and looting? That is real damn intimidation. Especially their threats to "Burn it all fucking down!" if Trump wins reelection. Nothing intimidating about that according to the "our speech is the only free speech allowed" left.
Please cite where in your seeded article it says that anyone was shouting "Trump that bitch", because I don't find it anywhere at all.
it sounds like something made up to make the Trump supporters seem like they were doing something wrong and an attempt to bolster the false intimidation allegations.
500 yards? You mean 1,500 feet? Over a quarter of a mile? That seems a little extreme.
Because she said so and you are trolling if you dare to disagree!
I believe something must have been misread or misremembered.. i just looked up 3 states, and none of them stated restrictions in yards, only feet. and none were even close to 500 feet
I am now more convinced than ever.
you just make stuff up as you go along...
you had to do like zero research to come up with 1500 ft
I amazed at how many people liked the comment that is just wrong.
can no one look anything up or just read stuff when provided to them anymore?
Nope, they encourage it.
Of course they do.
Of course we encourage people to exercise their right to support a candidate.
Why would any red-blooded American wish to deprive someone of that right?
Isn't it amazing how some human beings can go into reverse evolution.
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No worries, It's always a great deal of fun to walk in front of them with a Biden/Harris sign/flag/t-shirt in full display.
As long as they don't interfere with a person voting they are within their rights. Interfere with a person's right to vote it becomes a whole different story.
Gosh, I wish that were true. I see old people just walk out in front of cars and I think "How the hell did you get to be so old, doing shit like this?" Some people are just beating the odds.
You were saying,
I don't know when that happened, but they sure as hell have to replicate the award an awful lot of times for the people who said "Mask? I don't wear masks. It's contrary to my individual rights and freedoms", and then died from the virus.
can anyone explain how chants of 4 more years and some campaign signs 30 YARDS away are intimidating?
Anyone?
What?! That's outrageous! How many people were prevented from voting?
None? Oh.
But surely what they were doing was illegal! Arrest them!
So what is all the crying about then? This looks like more political pearl clutching where somebody decides to make a big deal out of something that's actually pretty ordinary.
There is absolutely nothing that trumpturd/[deleted]supporters do/not do that you don't support. NOTHING.
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A relevant comparison would be more beneficial to your argument.
Now this is the kind of activism I think most of us can get behind, or in front of...
This reminded me that I need a new avatar. I couldn't find a pic of her, though. Dammit.
You mean I can't wear my "Fuck Trump" t-shirt into the polling place???
People are just killjoys
Illegal, so much for "law and order", if any Biden supporters had tried this you can bet they would have been arrested.
Not one thing illegal about this.
Please provide any link proving your theory that Biden supporters would have been jailed for doing the same.
Of course they would have.
Right, like all the leftist Brown Shirts that have been arrested for rioting; and then cut loose in such lovely places as Seattle, Portland, Chicago, NY, Detroit, etc.
If only the left could protest as peacefully as these people were supporting Trump. They broke no laws; but should have been arrested for what again?
Only in leftist land is theirs the only free speech that is protected. Of course their free speech includes rioting, assault, murder, arson, and looting as we.
Careful now... there's been very few issues here recently. I suppose considering a large amount of the buildings already being burnt down would prevent such things again, but still.