JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida State Attorney’s Office for the 4th Judicial Circuit has dropped all charges for a Neptune Beach Florida man who brandished a machete at a polling place in Duval County during early voting for the 2024 General Election. The 18-year-old had been charged with aggravated assault, improper exhibition of a firearm or dangerous weapon, and voter intimidation directed at two women ages 71 and 54.

In response to the decision, voting rights groups in Florida shared the following: 

Amy Keith, Executive Director of Common Cause Florida: “The actions exhibited in this case caused fear and harm, and undoubtedly constitute voter intimidation. Across this country, the law is simple: It is your right to vote without intimidation. Threats aimed at voters are against the law in every state. Floridians deserve a State Attorney who will protect their right to vote, free from intimidation, not excuse illegal threatening behavior as simply ‘tool’ carrying and ‘zealous’ support.”

Chanae Jackson, Organizing Director of Florida For All: ”This incident was more than a random disruption. It was an act of terror, part of a larger pattern of extreme behavior fostered by leadership that emboldens dangerous, divisive actions. Leaders who promote or tolerate such scare tactics are risking the safety of our communities and encouraging others to behave recklessly, leaving all Floridians at risk.”

Kirk Bailey, Senior Democracy Defense Manager, All Voting is Local Florida: “Simply put, voter intimidation is a crime. Even attempting to block an eligible voter from casting their ballot is illegal under Florida law. For instance, Fla. Stat. § 104.061(1) and Fla. Stat. § 104.0615 prohibits voter intimidation or suppression, among other provisions that ensure the same. It is disconcerting to see a state prosecutor, who is sworn to uphold the Constitution and Florida law, fail voters in such an egregious matter. This action sets a dangerous precedent as it can be weaponized to aid and comfort those who would threaten violence against voters in an attempt to undermine our democracy, for any reason, in the future. We must protect our voters.”  

Adora Obi Nweze, President, NAACP Florida State Conference: Florida voters deserve to be protected from intimidation as they cast their ballot during an election. Voters should never be made to feel unsafe at the ballot box. To wield machetes or ‘tools’ toward voters attempting to cast a ballot is clearly threatening, aggressive, intimidating behavior. The failure to hold perpetrators accountable for such heinous behavior is a breach of trust to all Florida voters. 

Cecile Scoon and Debbie Chandler, Co-Presidents of the League of Women Voters of Florida: “The League of Women Voters of Florida stands for the rule of law. All people should be treated fairly and equally in court and justice should be blind. Brandishing a deadly weapon at people who are preparing to vote or are expressing their first amendment right to speak on an issue is an outrage! No one should be allowed to threaten others at or near a voting precinct. The record shows that the aggressor was also shouting support for one presidential candidate when he threatened the women at the precinct. This case should never have been dismissed.” 

A copy of the decision can be found here.

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