DOJ to Monitor Voting in Portage County, Ohio
The US Justice Department (DOJ) on Tuesday announced it will be monitoring voting in Portage County, Ohio, because voters there have 'raised concerns about intimidation.'...
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Facts
- The US Justice Department (DOJ) on Tuesday announced it will be monitoring voting in Portage County, Ohio, because voters there have 'raised concerns about intimidation.'[1]
- This comes weeks after Republican Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski published a post on his personal Facebook suggesting that Kamala Harris supporters' addresses should be noted so that immigrants can be sent to live with them. Zuchowski has since removed the post.[2][3]
- Although the DOJ didn't name Zuchowski in its announcement, there have been numerous reports of residents filing complaints with federal and state authorities over the post.[2]
- Although Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose refused to take action against Zuchowski, the bipartisan Portage County Board of Elections declined to use sheriff's deputies for election security this year.[2]
- In its announcement, the DOJ said it 'regularly' sends staff from the Office of Personnel Management to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act. Under the 1965 law, it's illegal to attempt to intimidate or actually intimidate voters.[4][5]
Sources: [1]United States Department of Justice, [2]Akron Beacon Journal, [3]Associated Press, [4]The Hill and [5]WOSU Public Media.
Narratives
- Democratic narrative, as provided by MSNBC. Zuchowski's post was clear-cut, vile racism and textbook voter intimidation. He mischaracterized the immigrants who are here legally as criminals and threatened citizens who plan to exercise their right to vote with law-enforcement action if they don't vote the way he wants. Unfortunately, this type of intimidation has become common in Republican-led areas.
- Republican narrative, as provided by Federalist. While he could have voiced his opinions more eloquently, Zuchowski was exercising his right to free speech to express valid concerns about immigrants voting illegally and shifting the balance of the election. The Biden administration has ignored requests from state officials to provide federal citizenship records in order to root out fraud. This is very concerning.
