Bid to recruit ex-cops as poll challengers comes under fire
The union that represents
The request came in an email from
“Poll Challengers do not ‘stop’ people, per se, but act as our eyes and ears in the field and call our hotline to document fraud,” the email read. “We don’t necessarily want our Poll Challengers to look intimidating, they cannot carry a weapon in the polls due to state law. … We just want people who won’t be afraid in rough neighborhoods or intimidating situations.”
Kroll, a Trump supporter, then shared the request with union members, asking anyone willing to help to contact him. Kroll attended a “Cops for Trump” event with Vice President
Kroll has been a polarizing figure in
The recruitment effort drew sharp criticism from
“Targeting a voter for a challenge based on being in a so-called ‘problem area’ is unlawful and will not be permitted in Minnesota’s polling places,” tweeted Simon, the state's chief elections officer.
Neither Willingham nor Kroll immediately responded Thursday to messages from The Associated Press.
The Trump campaign said it didn't authorize the recruitment effort.
“Mr. Willingham is a volunteer who has been assisting in
Most states allow poll monitors in some form but have rules to prevent any hint of harassment or intimidation. This fall’s election will be the first in nearly 40 years in which the
“State & federal laws are clear: No one may intimidate a voter,” Ellison tweeted. “This includes retired police officers & all law enforcement. I will enforce those laws if/when needed to protect Minnesotans’ fundamental right to vote w/o intimidation.”
"Suspicion is not a basis for making a challenge. The challenger must personally know that a specific person is not eligible to vote for a specific reason," according to the secretary of state's website.
Arradondo responded to reports of the union solicitation by issuing a statement pledging that the city's officers would “remain apolitical” and protect citizens' rights to vote without intimidation.
AP’s Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early, by mail or absentee from each state: https://interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020/
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