2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumWhat it's like to be intimidated at the polls
During the April 26th primary in Pennsylvania, I helped a democratic candidate (Dave Mattei) run a write-in campaign to represent the 137th district. The 137th is currently represented by Joe Emrick, a Republican who regularly votes against womens rights. While I was standing in line to vote, shouting broke out behind me. I turned and saw Emrick talking to the judge of elections. He had come into the polling place and instructed the judge to keep an eye on me, warning her I might do something illegal. Hed said my name loud enough that several of my neighbors heard him, including my husband who never hesitates to stand up to bullieshence the shouting.
Joe skedaddled, and I turned to one of the poll workers. That was Joe Emrick, I told her. Hes an elected official, hes on the ballot, and I know he doesnt vote here so what was he doing in this room?
Her only response was a blank stare and a mumbled, I dont know.
I went in to the booth, cast my ballot, then repeated my complaint to the judge of elections on the way out. All I got was another I dont know. I walked outside, fuming, and thats when it hit meId forgotten to write in Daves name, something Id been encouraging other people to do for days.
An elected official came into my polling place to intimidate me and hed succeeded. Worse, two different poll workers responded only with shrugs of indifference. It took three phone calls and a letter to get any response from the Election Board. According to one official, Emrick received nothing more than a scolding for his behavior. (One bright spot, Emricks shenanigans failed. Dave Mattei will be on the ballot on Nov. 8th).
beachbum bob
(10,437 posts)a complaint and then call the media
perdita9
(1,144 posts)The Democratic committee put out a statement about it after the election to all the local news outlets. None of them showed any interest
TeamPooka
(24,210 posts)complain about you.
Don't let him throw you on Election Day.
Keep up the great work!
BTW Notify your local media about what he did during the primary
someone may want to run a piece about it
perdita9
(1,144 posts)We live in a red town. The papers won't publish on it.