'It's a crime': Officials warn against voter intimidation at the polls

• You can report voter intimidation through the nonpartisan election protection hotline by calling 1-888-687-8683.
• Voters who need assistance in another language may call one of the hotlines below:
  • 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) – Spanish language hotline
• 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) – Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu and Tagalog hotline
• 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287) – Arabic language hotline
• American Sign Language video call number: 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683)

Individuals who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system who have questions about their eligibility to vote, or who need any other assistance on Election Day, can call 1-877-880-8683.

North Carolina elections officials said Monday there have been few instances of intimidation at polling places in the state, but they issued a stern warning to anyone contemplating such harassment.

Forward Justice, a nonpartisan organization, said they received more than 200 reports of voter intimidation during the 2024 early voting period. 

Of the 100 counties in our state, the organization said 37 counties have already reported incidents of voter intimidation – ranging from minor instances of intimidation, such as telling voters that the lines are very long after they declined to take a partisan slate card, to more severe cases of intimidation, such as poll workers telling voters how to vote on the constitutional amendment, anti-Latino and anti-immigrant sentiments being expressed by electioneers and poll workers, destruction of property and threats of physical violence. 

"It’s a crime to interfere with election official duties," Karen Brinson Bell, the state's elections director, said during a news conference Monday. Punishments can include prison time and fines.

"Law enforcement is aware of the level of threat that we could face, particularly as a battleground state with so much attention on us," Bell said.

Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe said he adjusted deputies’ schedules on Election Day in anticipation of possible disruptions at the polls.

"We are modifying shifts, so that during the hours of operations [go] … late into the evening when the tabulation process will be ongoing," Rowe said.

Security at polling sites is generally handled elections judges, but Rowe said law enforcement will be ready in case additional help is needed.

"Anytime when you’ve got a bulk of people congregating, it’s a challenge," Rowe said.

Bell said the state is beefing up security measures, too. She said the state has worked with federal authorities to conduct physical assessments of county elections offices. Some counties have installed panic buttons. Other voting sites have reconfigured their entry spaces, she said.

Campaigners are allowed to approach voters to ask them to vote for their candidate, but a campaigner may not question a voter about their eligibility to vote or interfere with their ability to cast a ballot.

North Carolina is one of few states with a dedicated investigations division at the State Board of Elections that investigates reports of fraud and other irregularities and refers cases to prosecutors when warranted.

United States Attorney Michael Easley announced the Justice Department will monitor compliance with federal voting laws on Tuesday in Wake County. The Justice Department enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot. The department deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country.

Anyone who wants to file a complaint for possible violations to voting rights laws can visit the Justice Department’s website or call 1-800-253-3931. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina will also be available to receive complaints on Election Day at 919-856-4808 or Karen.Haughton@usdoj.gov.