I'm working as an election judge. Should we be concerned about violence at the polls?

[Rocknrule]

I'll be working at the election HQ in the largest city of a swing state, and hearing about things like the armed Trump supporters in Virginia is very chilling. These people think they have a God given mandate to rule America. Do you think this threat is exaggerated, or very real? What are some things I and other poll workers can do to keep it safe?

[tblue37]

1. In "certain communities" the possibility is real. Trump is directing his brownshirts

to intimidate and block minority voters in heavily minority precincts in swing states like PA. I don't think other precincts face much risk of violence, though.

On Edit: At risk precincts should organize voter protection escorts to monitor the process and call in the authorities if Trumpeters cause trouble.

[chillfactor]

2. I am also working election days....

I live in New Mexico so a much quieter state...I do not think we will have trouble here but keep am eye out for t'rump hooligans and keep your police number on speed dial.

[texanwitch]

3. I hope not.

I used to be election judge and worked early voting.

Just keep on guard.

I am taking the day off on election day to be outside my polling location.

I wish i could have worked this election at early voting but just cannot.

Hope everything goes ok.

Thanks for working, it is a long hard day.

[NightWatcher]

4. I'm working Voter Protection for Hillary in Florida

She's got a team of lawyers working in the polls as election observers and we've been told that it's almost a certainty that trumpsters will try something.
If/when we see something this extreme, we're going to contact hq who will direct the Sup of Elections to immediately control the polls. We'll be ready to file emergency injunctions if necessary.

It's going to be wild.

[In_The_Wind]

8. Thank you

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[SurfinBetty]

5. No, not going to happen

I'm not worried at all, I do not think anything like that will happen at the polls. I'm not sure about later once Hillary is announced as the winner, but the polls are safe.

[Maeve]

6. Talk to your local board of elections

Tell them you are concerned about the things coming out of the Trump campaign and ask what plans are in place for the safety of the polling places. And take your cell phone to call the BOE or the police (but your precinct manager will usually be able to take care of things and will call the cops as needed).

Most of this is just crap talk; few of these threats are coming from folks who couldn't organize a bake sale.

[lonestarnot]

7. Vigilance without fear is a constant as an American at polls, home, school, any place. Keep step'n

[Gothmog]

9. In Texas, you could cause anyone who disrupts your polling place to be arrested

check with the local party or the Victory Counsel program

[Rosco T.]

10. I'm reminded of a song from a Mel Brooks movie....

"Hope for the best, expect the worst"

[LeftyMom]

11. Every four years they make noises about intimidation, voter challenges etc.

And mostly nothing happens.

Know your local procedures for what to do if there's trouble, don't be afraid to call your county if you have any questions at all and go meet your neighbors.

I've been working at the polling place since the second Presidential election I was eligible to vote in and the most disruptive things that have happened were: a radio station showed up to report on election day, a teenager didn't want to take off her campaign button in the polling place, and one page of a multi-page primary ballot for one party was cut a bit to wide too fit in the optical scanner.

That's it.

The only poll watchers that ever show up check our lists of people who have voted so they can GOTV the stragglers. That's it, but I know that what they're legally permitted to do varies by state.