Poll Watchers at Oakland Precinct Accused of Intimidating Voters

Sheriff’s deputies and a state election official resolved an Election Day skirmish at a Pontiac polling station after a pair of Republican poll watchers were accused of trying to intimidate voters in a heavily Democratic precinct.

The Detroit News reports the poll watchers were looking over the shoulders of voters, writing down their ballot numbers and then challenging the legality of their votes. When poll workers asked the observers to stand back, they refused, prompting election officials to summon he Oakland County Sheriff’s Office to settle the dispute at the 469 Martin Luther King Blvd. S. polling station.

Fred Woodhams, a spokesman for the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office, confirmed the dispute took place and a member of the staff went to Pontiac to resolve it about mid-morning. No one was denied the right to vote, and no police action was necessary to resolve the issue.

Oakland County Republican Party executive director Frank Tehako said the dispute stemmed from concerns that residents who been issued absentee ballots in the mail had shown up to vote and were handed regular ballots.

Tehako said the poll watchers acted appropriately. “From my understanding, they were just standing there,” he said. “They can observe and stand behind the poll workers just to help protect the sanctity of the vote.”

Oakland County Democratic Party chairman Frank Houston said he had received several similar complaints from other polling locations.

“I have received calls from people complaining about being watched and documented by Republican poll workers,” he told The Detroit News. “Although it’s unclear whether they are acting intentionally or unintentionally, it’s clear some people are feeling uncomfortable with the tactics.”