Newsweek: Donald Trump’s Call to Militia to ‘Watch’ Polling Places Raises Fears of Voter Intimidation

Newsweek: Donald Trump's Call to Militia to 'Watch' Polling Places Raises Fears of Voter Intimidation

However, even in states with open carry laws and no restrictions on guns at locations that host polling, such as churches and schools, prohibitions on guns prevail, according to Suzanne Almeida, interim executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania. "There are valid concerns now," Almeida added, "but we must let voters know about them without involuntarily discouraging them from coming to the polls." "We will have more than 1,000 volunteers at polling stations for questions, and to be eyes and ears on the ground and have voters' backs," Almeida said. "We make sure voters have a good experience."

At 2020’s first (and perhaps only) presidential debate, President Trump’s plea to his “people” to “go into the polls and watch very carefully” got the attention of voting advocates and militia members alike. And no wonder: private militias have become a very visible symbol of polarized America, and have been deploying themselves with increasing belligerence at anti-racism rallies and other social protests. Last week, in a sign portending major escalation of militia violence, 13 men were arrested in a kidnapping plot against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. …

However, even in states with open carry laws and no restrictions on guns at locations that host polling, such as churches and schools, prohibitions on guns prevail, according to Suzanne Almeida, interim executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania.

“There are valid concerns now,” Almeida added, “but we must let voters know about them without involuntarily discouraging them from coming to the polls.” …

And except in Wisconsin, people can’t just show up and watch the voting process. Still, the fear of meddlesome and frivolous voter challenges slowing down what is already record turnout at many polls, may be overblown, according to Almeida of Common Cause Pennsylvania.

“We will have more than 1,000 volunteers at polling stations for questions, and to be eyes and ears on the ground and have voters’ backs,” Almeida said. “We make sure voters have a good experience.” …

Voting-rights advocates say they must tread a fine line between alerting voters to their rights and possible problems, and scaring them away from the polls.

“We must not add to the drumbeat of terribles,” Almeida said, adding that in 2016 Trump made similar demands for his “people” to monitor the polls for possible fraud in Philadelphia, but no intimidation materialized.