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None of the 800 or so election official harassment incidents found by Reuters occurred in Illinois

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Illinois

* Linda So and Jason Szep at Reuters…

In Arizona, a stay-at-home dad and part-time Lyft driver told the state’s chief election officer she would hang for treason. In Utah, a youth treatment center staffer warned Colorado’s election chief that he knew where she lived and watched her as she slept.

In Vermont, a man who says he works in construction told workers at the state election office and at Dominion Voting Systems that they were about to die.

“This might be a good time to put a f‑‑‑‑‑‑ pistol in your f‑‑‑‑‑‑ mouth and pull the trigger,” the man shouted at Vermont officials in a thick New England accent last December. “Your days are f‑‑‑‑‑‑ numbered.”

The three had much in common. All described themselves as patriots fighting a conspiracy that robbed Donald Trump of the 2020 election. They are regular consumers of far-right websites that embrace Trump’s stolen-election falsehoods. And none have been charged with a crime by the law enforcement agencies alerted to their threats.

They were among nine people who told Reuters in interviews that they made threats or left other hostile messages to election workers. In all, they are responsible for nearly two dozen harassing communications to six election officials in four states. Seven made threats explicit enough to put a reasonable person in fear of bodily harm or death, the U.S. federal standard for criminal prosecution, according to four legal experts who reviewed their messages at Reuters’ request.

These cases provide a unique perspective into how people with everyday jobs and lives have become radicalized to the point of terrorizing public officials. They are part of a broader campaign of fear waged against frontline workers of American democracy chronicled by Reuters this year. The news organization has documented nearly 800 intimidating messages to election officials in 12 states, including more than 100 that could warrant prosecution, according to legal experts.

I checked in with Linda So today and asked if any of these nearly 800 incidents in 12 states happened in Illinois. She told me that none of these cases were in this state.

However, if y’all hear about something like this happening near you, or if it’s happened to you, please get in touch with me. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:47 pm

Comments

Well I had an incident when I went to vote in November. People were actively campaigning in the place. I had one person physically threaten me. Another insisted on looking over my shoulder as I filled out my ballot.

Adding insult to injury was that it all occurred in my own home. I’ll never vote by mail again.

Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:53 pm
The piece reads like they had a file of stories on threats to election authorities…Did Reuters ask IL? Can Capt Fax ask ISBE? One of the cable shows had one the writers on and it all sounds like cops did very little folo up

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:59 pm
Imagine being in a total blackout rage to end others’ lives and damage one’s own for Donald Trump. Talk about inner emptiness.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 4:22 pm
And citizens from this country wonder in amazement how regular citizens from other countries can be radicalized and do harm to others. “It couldn’t happen here.” It has and will again, God help us.

Comment by Just Sayin' Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 4:41 pm