January 1, Officials “Deeply Concerned” By Armed “Vigilantes” Intimidating Voters

Arizona election officials are “deeply concerned” after two armed “vigilantes” were found outside a ballot drop box in Maricopa County.

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates and Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer released a joint statement sounding the alarm.

“We are deeply concerned about the safety of individuals who are exercising their constitutional right to vote and who are lawfully taking their early ballot to a drop box. Uninformed vigilantes outside Maricopa County’s drop boxes are not increasing election integrity. Instead they are leading to voter intimidation complaints,” the statement read. 

“Although monitoring and transparency in our elections is critical, voter intimidation is unlawful. For those who want to be involved in election integrity, become a poll worker or an official observer with your political party. Don’t dress in body armor to intimidate voters as they are legally returning their ballots,” the statement continued.  

Officials said that the two armed individuals left the ballot drop box after a response from Maricopa County law enforcement.

“No matter how you choose to vote in Arizona, you should feel safe doing so,” the elections officials said in their statement.

“We will do everything possible in our roles to protect voters, election workers, and our free and fair elections,” they added.

Last week, the Arizona secretary of state referred a report of possible voter intimidation to the Justice Department and the Arizona attorney general after a voter was allegedly “approached and followed by a group of individuals” when attempting to cast their ballot.

Source: The Hill