Considered voter intimidation? I took my son with me like always, and this time was watched.

Submitted by itsmethebirb t3_ypt0yb in Pennsylvania

Edit: thanks for the feedback. I am wrong, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. I was looking for a civil answer, hence why I came here. I am always open to the idea of being wrong, was not expecting to be roasted but I’ll take what I deserve considering it is Reddit. I didn’t want to waste anyones time calling and reporting something to take time away from other cases, I had done googling before posting this to find an answer originally but couldn’t hence why I came here. I am diagnosed with ptsd and I have a hard time with social settings and I’m aware I could’ve very easily over read the situation. I am constantly hyper aware and having my son there not only made me nervous for me but for him as well. Thanks again.

I wanna know if what I had happened to me today is considered intimidation.

I took my son with me to vote, I always do. There’s never been an issue. I’m trying to teach him to understand how important it is. He is 9. Now I’m witchy. The weather is chilly so I have on my cloak with tarot on it. I also have tats on my hands and fingers. The polling place I go to is ran by all elderly white women. They’ve always had issues with me, I get side eyes and such every time I vote.

Today, one of the women came up behind us and I caught her out of the corner of my eye trying to look over my shoulder. I asked if I could help her and she told me my son shouldn’t be filling it out. I know. So I said this is supposed to be private and I said it loudly and she huffed and walked away.

I have the number to report intimidation. I’m just wondering if this is considered as such. My hubby went in after me and he wasn’t bothered. I’ve always gone voting with my parents as a kid and it was always met with encouragement. Thanks in advance.

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FMG1978 t1_ivkmd5i wrote

Why do you want to be a victim?

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itsmethebirb OP t1_ivkmuc6 wrote

Replying to FMG1978 (#475,069)

It’s not a matter of being a victim… it’s a matter of reporting something that’s illegal. Out of all the people who were voting there when I was there, this woman took it upon herself to look over my shoulder. It didn’t stop me but I can see how it would deter others from wanting to vote. They shouldn’t be peeking at anyones votes that I am aware of.

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poppenweiler t1_ivknzj4 wrote

Replying to itsmethebirb (#475,137)

It's not about "accountability" for anything and you know it. You're just seeking to take out your urges towards aggression and malice against others on a convenient target. Very shameful of you also to hide behind a shield of phony heroics.

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AnotherDaveFella t1_ivko7bb wrote

No, you were being watched, not intimidated. It's how it works.

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itsmethebirb OP t1_ivkofyz wrote

Replying to poppenweiler (#475,200)

Still hasn’t answered my question, are the poll workers allowed to look over your shoulder while you’re filling out your ballot? Thats my question. If so, then I am wrong. It was odd to me that she walked away the second I said I thought it was supposed to be private, like she knew what she was doing was wrong.

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itsmethebirb OP t1_ivkrvjn wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#475,414)

It’s fine, I should’ve expected it. I should know the risks when posting to Reddit all things considered. But I’m not offended, I got my answer and that’s all I wanted.

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ILikeMyGrassBlue t1_ivkt9hy wrote

Replying to itsmethebirb (#475,182)

Yeah, it is odd. I’m from a deep red area and my deeply conservative and kinda racist grandpa always took me with to vote. He’d even let me press the buttons on the machine. No even cared.

That said, the GOP of then is very different to the GOP of now. With all the election bullshit going on, I’m not surprised it’s a bit more contentious at the polls.

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itsmethebirb OP t1_ivktxv8 wrote

Replying to ILikeMyGrassBlue (#475,511)

Same, my parents are super conservative. Never an issue, and yes I pressed buttons too. But this was a full the bubble in with a pen deal. He always watches. He loves being a part of it. I just don’t want him being afraid to go in the future. I want him to stay excited to vote. He got upset thinking he got me in trouble.

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momlin t1_ivkzabg wrote

Just voted a little while ago (southeast PA) some flyers being handed out by both parties, everything friendly, election personnel helpful and pleasant. No intimidation, voting a breeze, no crowds. My husband had a mail in vote but decided to vote in person with no issue - he just was required to full out a short form when he surrendered the ballot.

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VaggPounder t1_ivkzfif wrote

These old white Trumper ladies are evil --- just PURE EVIL

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ThinkySushi t1_ivld8we wrote

I think it depends on a few things. If she was clearly trying to get close enough to read your ballot then yeah, borderline.

But if she stayed further than that away, say a few feet, I think poll workers are allowed to check on stuff like that maybe?

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itsmethebirb OP t1_ivlfn0m wrote

Replying to ThinkySushi (#476,563)

It’s a small polling place, she wasn’t in my personal bubble but there wasn’t an option to for her to be further. The fact that she left where she was standing which was closer to the doors and came around to stand behind me and do the peeking body language, is what concerned me. She was also on the shorter side, so maybe that made it more noticeable to me? It was just weird. It was a whole lean over with her arms crossed, full weight on one leg with eyes directed at my ballot. The best I can describe it is nosey Karen behavior. She really didn’t like that I said I though this was supposed to be private, the audible huff and storm off is ultimately what made me uneasy.

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ThinkySushi t1_ivlh4qs wrote

Replying to itsmethebirb (#476,672)

Tough to say. Sounds like she was either being nosy or maybe wanted to make sure something off wasn't being done. Poll watchers on both sides are encouraged. And I am unsure what they are and aren't allowed to observe. Either way, it doesn't really sound reportable to me.

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itsmethebirb OP t1_ivlhpib wrote

Replying to ThinkySushi (#476,736)

Appreciate that. Again, I am bad at social settings. This place, I mean the women always side eyed me which whatever, my old polling place I got asked for ID by a woman when she realized I wasn’t married, that was the 2016 election and the first time I voted in a major election. Part of my ptsd is I am always on edge when out in public. I figured I could’ve been overreacting, hence asking for opinions. Thanks for the honesty!

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Unique-Public-8594 t1_ivlnzq1 wrote

Nothing wrong with asking for reddit’s opinion. No stupid questions. Sorry about the PTSD (not easy). You were the one there and so your take is more likely accurate than anybody else. Good on you for bringing your child to experience the importance of voting.

Sounds like the key thing here is she thought she saw your son filling out a ballot. She came over to check and state the rules. Maybe she was uneasy and you were uneasy. She’s there to do a job so she’s probably looking for something she needs to act on so she can satisfy herself that she did her job well.

She’s volunteering and maybe under some stress to ensure everything is done correctly. Best to thank her.

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