# Washington Post: “With voting under attack, Arizona schools don’t want to be polling locations” **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 5, 2024, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288 "2024-08-05T19:53:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/21 "2024-08-05T23:48:23Z")
Some years, my polling place has been a Buddhist temple. Other years, a public middle school. School is open on voting day. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/22 "2024-08-05T23:51:44Z")
I really do not understand why stories like these don’t say “Threat of RIGHT WING VIOLENCE makes schools wary of hosting polling places”. It is always right wing violence so why not fucking say so? ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/23 "2024-08-05T23:54:05Z")
It was annoying for me because gym was cancelled (the gym was where the voting was (in later years when the gym was also used as a cafeteria (instead of all the kids going home for lunch) school was closed on voting day) ---
**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:** [August 6, 2024, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/24 "2024-08-06T00:53:19Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > It is always right wing violence so why not fucking say so? That wouldn’t be Fair and Balanced. That is sarcasm, by the way. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/25 "2024-08-06T13:44:22Z")
Our county uses county buildings, churches and libraries. If it’s supposed to be cold, we will park busses outside so people can sit down and stay warm if there is a line. I don’t know how they figure out who is next when people come and go just sitting on a bus. Probably just take a number. Holy cow, we WANT people to vote. And make it as easy as we can. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/26 "2024-08-06T13:47:04Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Holy cow, we WANT people to vote. Well, some of us want people to vote. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/27 "2024-08-06T14:03:40Z")
I feel like this thread really went in a weird direction. To me, the main point is that the wannabe fascists are threatening polling workers, which will make it more difficult for people to vote. I’m sure it’s only in certain targeted areas that the workers feel under threat. This is really scary stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/28 "2024-08-06T14:17:46Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > I feel like this thread really went in a weird direction. To me, the main point is that the wannabe fascists are threatening polling workers, which will make it more difficult for people to vote. Thanks for getting it back on track. My wife is one of those election workers who won’t be back this fall. It’s not just because of the threats of right wing vilence, but that’s part of it. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/29 "2024-08-06T14:38:33Z")
The linked article in the OP seems to be conflating “attacked” as in challenging the legitimacy of voting results with actual incidents of polling place violence, which doesn’t make sense. Can anyone cite some of the latter? The article is basically saying many people fear the potential for Trumpians to turn violent. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/30 "2024-08-06T14:41:58Z")
[Election workers are being bombarded with death threats, the U.S. government says | PBS News](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/election-workers-are-being-bombarded-with-death-threats-the-u-s-government-says) > A Texas man was given 3 1/2 years earlier this month after suggesting a “mass shooting of poll workers and election officials” last year, charges stated. In one message, the Justice Department said, the man wrote: “Someone needs to get these people AND their children. The children are the most important message to send.” [ Campaign of Fear The Trump world’s assault on U.S. election workers](https://www.reuters.com/investigates/section/campaign-of-fear/) > The people who administer U.S. elections – from poll workers and ballot counters to county clerks and secretaries of state – have endured a year of terroristic threats from supporters of former President Donald Trump, inspired by his false assertions of widespread fraud in the 2020 vote. The result, as Reuters chronicled in this agenda-setting series of reports, has been a campaign of intimidation that is stressing the foundation of American democracy. Those were the first two cites I found. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/31 "2024-08-06T15:24:17Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > The article is basically saying many people fear the potential for Trumpians to turn violent. Yes, we know that could [never happen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_6_United_States_Capitol_attack)… > [@RitterSport](#): > > Those were the first two cites I found. Here’s another: > **[Voting centers stock naloxone amid recent fentanyl-laced letter attacks](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/18/voting-centers-naloxone-letters-fentanyl)** > > Election workers continue to quit as letters sent this month to voting centers or government buildings in six states ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/32 "2024-08-06T15:41:17Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > The linked article in the OP seems to be conflating “attacked” as in challenging the legitimacy of voting results with actual incidents of polling place violence, which doesn’t make sense. Can anyone cite some of the latter? For those who have been living under a bridge for the last four years, threats and attacks upon election official are real and have increased to an unprecedented level. > **[Election Officials Under Attack](https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/election-officials-under-attack)** > > Scapegoated for election outcomes that some politicians and voters did not like, election officials have been under unprecedented attack. Here's a plan to protect them. > [@Lumpy](#): > > The article is basically saying many people fear the potential for Trumpians to turn violent. Because when has that “potential” ever been realized? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Iludfj6Pe7w/maxresdefault.jpg "New footage reveals how violent Capitol rioters overwhelmed police on January 6") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iludfj6Pe7w) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/33 "2024-08-06T15:41:38Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > [Voting centers stock naloxone amid recent fentanyl-laced letter attacks | Opioids | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/18/voting-centers-naloxone-letters-fentanyl) Honestly, it’s probably a good idea for public places that deal with large populations (the sort of places where voting centers tend to be) to have naloxone on hand, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/34 "2024-08-06T16:07:44Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > I really do not understand why stories like these don’t say “Threat of RIGHT WING VIOLENCE makes schools wary of hosting polling places”. It is always right wing violence so why not fucking say so? Because those polling places aren’t interested in dealing with the backlash an accusation like that is likely to create. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/35 "2024-08-06T16:19:22Z")
Definitely. Right-wing “news” sources would find some random nutjob that said something once, or quote some made up crap from Russian propaganda sources, Elmo’s Musk would retweet it, and they would face even more violence. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/36 "2024-08-06T16:25:16Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Because those polling places aren’t interested in dealing with the backlash an accusation like that is likely to create. I’m talking about the journalists. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/37 "2024-08-06T16:48:36Z")
A threat that’s never actually followed up on is so much hot air. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/38 "2024-08-06T16:51:44Z")
One of my cites has someone serving time for the threats. Not enough for you? I think it’s a good thing that folks are getting put away before they actually murder some poll workers. Intimidating or threatening election workers is extremely corrosive to democracy and should be treated extremely seriously. But, you do you. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/39 "2024-08-06T18:18:14Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > A threat that’s never actually followed up on is so much hot air. If it achieves the effect of driving election officials to quit, makes polling locations more difficult to access, and generally achieves the effect of suppressing voting, it is anything but “hot air”. And it is a serious enough problem that the US Department of Justice established an [Election Threats Task Force](https://www.justice.gov/voting/election-threats#ettf) which produced [a readout](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/readout-election-threats-task-force-briefing-election-officials-and-workers), one of the conclusions of which was: > _Election officials in states with close elections and postelection contests were more likely to receive threats. 58% of the total of potentially criminal threats were in states that underwent 2020 post-election lawsuits, recounts, and audits, such as Arizona, Georgia, Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Wisconsin._ More information: > **[For election workers, Trump's lies have meant threats, harassment and a...](https://www.npr.org/2023/06/21/1180818978/election-workers-are-facing-threats-and-harassment-as-they-brace-for-2024)** > > Election workers across 22 different states told NPR they've received threats or felt unsafe doing their jobs, and many are worried for what the 2024 presidential election will bring. [https://www.reuters.com/investigates/section/campaign-of-fear/](https://www.reuters.com/investigates/section/campaign-of-fear/) > **[WATCH: Justice Department details threats of violence against election workers](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-election-officials-testify-in-senate-hearing-on-protecting-election-workers)** > > A top official says the Justice Department has charged five people for making threats of violence against election workers amid a rising wave of harassment and intimidation tied to the 2020 presidential election. But please, tell us more about the “hot air” of threats against election officials. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2024, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288/40 "2024-08-06T20:35:55Z")
If I was an election official and I received an anonymous death threat, I’d say “let’s see you try, pencil dick”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-post-with-voting-under-attack-arizona-schools-don-t-want-to-be-polling-locations/1005288.md?page=3)