READING, Pa. – Berks County Commissioner and Elections Board Chairman Michael S. Rivera said the county has been receiving calls about law enforcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and who is permitted to be at polling places on Election Day.
“The county is reminding voters that Pennsylvania and federal law places strict limits on the presence of law enforcement officers at and around polling places,” Rivera said at Thursday morning’s meeting.
“Under Pennsylvania’s election code, police officers and other law enforcement officers generally may not be within 100 feet of a polling place during an election unless they are in the act of voting, serving warrants, called upon to control the disturbance, or the polling place is in a police station,” he explained.
Federal law already prohibits armed agents at polling places, but Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta has a bill to clearly ban it on the state level.
“Additionally, with limited exception, federal law enforcement officials and the US military personnel should not be at polling places, unless they are in the act of voting. Pennsylvania law constables and deputy constables may be present at polling places for the purpose of preserving the peace,” Rivera said.
Rivera clarified that the 100-foot distance is defined from the polling place and not necessarily the building where the polls are located.
“We just want to make sure that people feel safe at their polling locations, do not feel intimidated, and know what should and should not go on at polling places,” Rivera remarked.
Berks County Commissioner Dante Santoni Jr. said there has been lots of confusion that’s been caused by officials in Washington, which he said is unfortunate.
“I encourage people to make sure that they get out and vote, make sure you get to the polls or do your mail-in ballots, because that’s the important part,” Santoni said.
Deborah George of Exeter Township says she has concerns about ICE agents being at the polls.
Anne Norton says ballots in the first batch of data election services sent are anticipated to be mailed by the end of the day Thursday.
“I’m happy that you’re thinking of this, but I’m still nervous we get conflicting messages,” George said. “One hundred feet from the polls protects the polls, but it doesn’t protect that person who’s afraid to leave their house to go vote.”
“So even if you can keep law enforcement away from the polls, I’m concerned about ICE or even just the rumor of the presence of ICE intimidating people,” she added.
Jeff Wolfe of Brecknock Township, who is a weekly commenter at the board meetings, said citizen voters should not have anything to fear.
“My recommendation is that the commissioners should coordinate countrywide with law enforcement to have a rapid response to any such drama that might occur at or near the polls,” Wolfe said.