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With early voting in Maryland set to begin in less than two weeks, Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D) issued a harsh warning against voter intimidation on Wednesday.
Voter intimidation is both a state and federal crime, Frosh said in a release, warning that attempting to influence a voter鈥檚 decisions based on threats, intimidation or bribery can lead to up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. He said he plans to crack down on any attempted voter suppression during the upcoming election.
鈥淢aryland and federal law provides every voter the right to vote free of coercion or intimidation,鈥� Frosh said. 鈥淰oter harassment and intimidation is illegal and will not be tolerated in Maryland. Anyone attempting to violate these laws will be held accountable and prosecuted.鈥�
According to Frosh, some examples of 听颈苍肠濒耻诲别:
- Spreading misinformation about voting and voter fraud;
- Violence inside or outside of a polling place;
- Confronting voters while wearing 鈥渕ilitary-style鈥� or 鈥渙fficial-looking鈥� uniforms;
- Brandishing firearms or using guns in an 鈥渋ntimidating display;鈥�
- Following voters to, from or within a polling place;
- Invading voters鈥� personal space in a way that violates 鈥淐OVID-related social distancing;鈥�
- Threats of violence;
- Writing down voters鈥� license plates;
- 鈥淎ggressively鈥� questioning voters鈥� qualifications to vote; and
- Gathering a private militia at a polling place.
Frosh鈥檚 warning against voter intimidation comes after President Trump stoked fears over voter intimidation during the first presidential debate last month. During the debate, Trump said he wants his supporters to head to the polls and watch 鈥渧ery carefully鈥� for the Nov. 3 election.
鈥淚 am urging my supporters to go into the polls and watch very carefully, because that鈥檚 what has to happen,鈥� Trump 聽during the first presidential debate in late September. 鈥淚 am urging them to do it.鈥�
Trump鈥檚 comments worried some local government officials in Maryland: Montgomery County Deputy Election Director Alysoun McLaughlin said earlier this month that local police are 聽to include ballot drop-off boxes as the election approaches.
But Frosh noted that Maryland鈥檚 election law allows certain groups or individuals to designate registered voters as challengers or watchers for in-person voting. Those poll watchers are limited in their roles and likewise banned from voter intimidation, Frosh wrote, and can鈥檛 prevent someone voting.
According to the , 鈥淎ny individual can enter a polling place to challenge the right of any other individual to vote. To remain in a polling place and observe the voting process, you must be a registered voter in Maryland and be designated as a challenger and watcher.鈥�
The State Board of Elections, local boards of elections, candidates, recognized political parties and 鈥渁ny other group of voters supporting or opposing a candidate, principle, or proposition on the ballot,鈥� can designate a poll watcher, according to the State Board of Elections. A group of voters must form a political committee under the state鈥檚 election law in order to designate a poll watcher.
Poll watchers can 鈥渃hallenge the right of any person to vote only on the grounds of identity,鈥� Frosh wrote, although a person whose identity is challenged can still vote by provisional ballot. Watchers can observe ballots being cast, but can鈥檛 ascertain how a voter voted or intends to vote, talk with voters in the polling place, help voters cast their ballots or physically handle original election documents.
According to the State Board of Elections, mail-in ballot and provisional 聽are open to the public. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, local boards of elections are handling observation somewhat differently than in a normal election year. Voters can contact their local board of elections for more information on how to observe the canvass.
Voters should report intimidation to the Office of Attorney General at 443-961-2830 or toll free at 833-282-0960, or by email at electionswork@oag.state.md.us.
