The mid-terms are fast approaching, and Onondaga County lawmakers are taking steps to address growing concerns about election interference by the Trump administration. The legislature is expected to vote Tuesday on a measure supporters hope will build confidence.
The effort stems from ICE agents questioning a Syracuse poll worker during the June primary. Legislature Chairwoman Nicole Watts said whether it’s poll workers or voters, the mere presence of any law enforcement figure hinders the process.
“It's inappropriate for them to be targeted when they are participating in democracy in that place," she said in an interview with WAER News. "It not only intimidates that individual in that moment, but it also causes an intimidation ripple effect that is not good for our democracy.”
Republican elections commissioner Kevin Ryan told a legislature committee that federal and state laws already restrict law enforcement from entering polling places unless there’s a crime or emergency.
“We need to be clear to the people of this community that this was not a situation where federal agents were going to a polling place to suppress the vote, intimidate voters or do anything else," he said.
Watts said the non-binding resolution the legislature is considering still serves a purpose.
“Just the expression that we are standing by their rights were a conflict to arise or a situation, even if we can't pass a law because a county government cannot legislate for a federal government.”
Democratic elections commissioner Dustin Czarny said inspectors and voters are asking for more guidance on their rights. The resolution does encourage the posting of voting rights signage outside the county’s 150 polling places.
