# Voter intimidation **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 3, 2022, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278 "2022-11-03T09:42:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/42 "2022-11-08T17:43:12Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Sometimes it’s obvious who someone is voting for. When I was a Virginia voter in 2012, there were Republican and Democratic volunteers at the poll stations who would hand out voting guides to each voter - pink for (R), blue for (D.) Usually, people would only take the booklet for their side and decline the other’s. You could generally tell, just by which voters were holding which color of booklet, which side they were voting for. > > I made a practice of holding both in my hands, so people couldn’t tell. When I went to vote, I took the first handout that was offered without thinking or looking at it. The person that offered it didn’t say anything. Then someone else tried to give me a handout, and they said they were with the Democratic Party. I said, no thanks, I don’t need it, I’m just going in and voting for everyone with a D after their name. So, now I’m in line and I look down at what I’m holding, which was the Republican handout. So I guess I faked out everyone else in line. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/43 "2022-11-08T17:51:54Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > So I guess I faked out everyone else in line. Reverse intimidation. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/44 "2022-11-08T17:53:58Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > You cannot be intimidated without your permission. Seldom have I read a less wrong thing on this board. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/45 "2022-11-08T18:00:15Z")
Can you intimidate intimidators? Is that anything like greeting Wal-Mart greeters with more enthusiasm than they greet you? (No! Let me get you a cart!). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/46 "2022-11-08T18:01:28Z")
Indeed-One can reject intimidation and be willing to totally ignore a direct threat to one’s life and/or liberty that is standing right in front of you. It’s not like voter intimidation has ever actually turned violent, right? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/47 "2022-11-08T18:04:47Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Can you intimidate intimidators? If the local politicos implicitly and/or explicitly support the initial intimidation, then the only intimidation that will be recognized is yours. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/48 "2022-11-08T18:13:45Z")
You’re probably right. But perhaps you could just play loud classical music to discourage them, as a local strip mall does. I shouldn’t make light of this, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/49 "2022-11-08T22:10:32Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Can’t answer for her but I dropped mine off because, so long as that Trump minion is on the board, I want to make sure it arrives in a timely manner. This is my answer as well. I drove by our polling place today, no armed idiots and I didn’t see anything that made me thing the DOJ was visiting. Hopefully everything will stay nice and boring. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/50 "2022-11-08T22:17:56Z")
Made a second trip to the polls today after learning a friend wasn’t going to vote. I called him some names, he told me he’d vote if I’d take him and then we’d stop at my place for a beer. Turns out his wife isn’t allowing beer in the house. So he had two at mine, and maybe I broke a law (paying for a vote?). No intimidation this morning or afternoon. Now texting friends and relatives making sure all have voted. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/51 "2022-11-08T22:52:12Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > I think CA is by request - you have to opt-in for a mail-in ballot. IIRC California went to all vote by mail in 2020 due to the pandemic. But before that we were already moving towards vote by mail. Some counties, including Sacramento, had already gone to all vote by mail before 2020. There are still “vote centers” for those who want to return their ballot in person, or weren’t registered before the ballots were sent out (same day registration is allowed here), but everyone who’s registered to vote gets a ballot mailed to them before the election now. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/52 "2022-11-08T23:32:21Z")
If there’s not a law against this sort of thing, there ought to be. Why aren’t these yahoos being arrested? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/53 "2022-11-08T23:56:26Z")
Perhaps because in those areas a lot of the ~~governments~~ elected officials from one political party _like_ what the yahoos are doing? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2022, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/54 "2022-11-09T00:40:38Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](#): > > Why aren’t these yahoos being arrested? In Arizona, people who are armed or wearing body armor have to be 250’ feet from ballot boxes. That’s pretty far. > **[2022 Election: Judge puts narrow limit on ballot box monitoring amid...](https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/2022-election-alleged-act-of-voter-intimidation-in-arizona-reported-to-justice-department)** > > Ahead of Election Day, reports of alleged acts of voter intimidation emerged in Arizona. > The order also prohibits members of the groups or agents working on their behalf from carrying firearms or wearing body armor within 250 feet (76 meters) of a drop box. I’ve read of some cases of intimidation being reported to the federal authorities, but I haven’t read of any actual arrests. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2022, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/55 "2022-11-09T00:52:11Z")
If they have rifles, it needs to be more like 500 meters = 1500 feet, not 250 feet. And no staking out the approaches to the boxes either. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2022, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/56 "2022-11-09T01:04:20Z")
In terms of intimidation (as in, “that guy is armed, I’m scared”), 250’ is pretty far. Here’s an example of what that looks like. [![](https://static.prisonpolicy.org/images/geographypunishment/w02_250.jpg) ](https://static.prisonpolicy.org/images/geographypunishment/w02_250.jpg) I don’t think you’d be able to tell what a person is wearing at that distance. You’re also not going to be able to hear anything they say, unless they’re using a bullhorn. It seems pretty reasonable to me, assuming that it gets enforced of course. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2022, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/57 "2022-11-09T03:36:55Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I’ve read of some cases of intimidation being reported to the federal authorities, but I haven’t read of any actual arrests. No arrests but there was this: > **[Federal Judge Tells A Texas County Not To Harass Black Voters](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/texas-jefferson-county-beaumont-voter-intimidation-2022-elections_n_636a9c23e4b03438613db3b2)** > > A lawsuit brought by an NAACP chapter claims white poll workers used “aggressive tones” and followed Black voters around a Beaumont polling place. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2022, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/58 "2022-11-09T03:50:41Z")
Well, it is hardly Washington buying votes in Virginia… ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2022, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/59 "2022-11-09T03:54:28Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Seldom have I read a less wrong thing on this board. You must have me on ‘Ignore’ ---
**Author:** ![Kzbre5m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kzbre5m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kzbre5m)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2022, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/60 "2022-11-09T19:35:20Z")
Florida says no DOJ election monitors not allowed inside polling places, citing “counterproductive and could potentially undermine confidence in the election.” A different newsfeed I saw said they didn’t want intimidation. > **[Florida warns US Justice Department that federal election monitors are not...](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/florida-warns-us-justice-department-that-federal-election-monitors-are-not-allowed-inside-polling-places/ar-AA13SrX6)** > > Florida officials warned the US Justice Department that federal election monitors are not allowed inside polling places under state law, pushing back against federal plans for monitors in the state. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2022, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278/61 "2022-11-09T20:23:41Z")
I guess they were worried that the presence of the DOJ might intimidate their intimidators. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278.md?page=4)