At least 16 intimidation, interference, incidents reported at NC polls

On Election Day, voter intimidation is top of mind as people worry about being followed home or having a photo taken without permission.

"We did have a situation in another county where a one-stop worker was followed from a voting site to the elections office and then followed to their home," said Karen Brinson Bell with the North Carolina State Board of Elections. "This is possibly the most egregious situation we've had."

Investigators are looking into more than a dozen incidents involving voters and election workers across the state.

The most incidents occurred in New Hanover County, where three incidents are under investigation.

"Voter intimidation is any action that could defer people or scare people or make them fearful of voting," said Jasleen Singh with NYU’s Brennan Center for Justice. "It could also be coercive if folks are coercing a voter to vote for a candidate or a measure."

A federal judge issued a restraining order against two people in Arizona accused of wearing military gear and reportedly carrying weapons while monitoring a drop box there.

Law professor Spencer Overton notes voter intimidation is illegal and always a concern, but there are notable differences between the 2022 midterms and the presidential election in 2020.

"Election denialism is the false narrative that there was rampant fraud in the 2020 election, and it’s really ratcheted up intimidation and violation of politics," said Overton.

Your best line of defense against voter intimidation? Knowing you’re protected by law to practice your civic duty.

"If you’re a voter and you do feel like you’re being intimidated, the first line of defense is to notify a poll worker, a local election official," said Singh. "You can also call the election protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE."