Voter Intimidation Warning Issued

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. -- Designed to “sow confusion, distrust and misinformation,” a voter intimidation scheme currently is targeting Bucks County voters, according to the county Board of Elections in labeling the arrangement as “fraudulent” and saying it will “not be intimidated by rogue groups.”

It said “numerous individuals” have reported receiving a call or text from a group representing themselves as “Voter Protection” or “Volunteers with Voter Protection.” The calls/texts -- they have non-Bucks County area codes – tell voters there is:

n Some discrepancy in their voter information/their voter information is incorrect;

n They were not registered/are no longer registered;

n They would not be receiving a mail-in ballot because their identification was wrong, and

n Their April Primary vote wasn’t counted due to voter ID status issues.

It instructs voters to call the Board of Elections and provides a telephone number.

“These calls are designed to sound official but are not authorized by, not connected in any way to the Bucks County Board of Elections,” said James O’Malley, spokesman, County of Bucks. “Upon checking voter records of those Bucks residents who reported being contacted by these individuals, no such discrepancies or issues were found with those voters’ records or their votes being counted.”

He said that should the county Board of Elections need to call an individual, it will always identify as an employee and the caller ID will identify “County of Bucks,” “215-348-6000.” The office primarily corresponds through the U.S. Postal Service, he said.

The voter intimidation scheme is abhorrent, said Bob Harvie, chairman, Board of Elections.

“This is yet another attempt to sow confusion, distrust and misinformation in our election process and disenfranchise duly registered voters,” he said. “The Bucks County Board of Election condemns this fraudulent activity in the strongest possible terms and has referred these messages to the District Attorney. My message to those perpetrating this behavior is we will not be intimidated by rogue groups seeking to undermine our democratic institutions.”

(Who’s behind this?)

Warning in Bucks County, Pa.: voter intimidation underway.Photo byElement5 DigitalonUnsplash