NORRISTOWN, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Montgomery County residents who requested mail-in ballots should start receiving them soon, as county officials say more than 100,000 will be sent this week. Officials also say they’re stepping up efforts to make sure the election is safe and secure.
The chair of the county board of elections, Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija, says misinformation can lead to violence. He points to a 2021 incident, when a man fired three gunshots into a campaign office in Norristown after getting riled up by unproven conspiracy theories that the 2020 election had been stolen.
“We saw just yesterday, there were six states where election officials received mail with a suspicious white powder,” Makhija said. “And, thankfully, it appears that none of those were harmful, but the attempt to intimidate and harass is clearly present.”
Makhija says all registered voters, whether they cast their ballot in person or by mail, must provide a driver’s license or Social Security number to prove citizenship. Any questionable ballots are set aside until identification can be verified.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele says, with the support of county commissioners, his office has put together a threat assessment management team to investigate and, where applicable, prosecute any election-related crimes.
“There's some chatter out there about disrupting this election. I want to be very clear: If you're thinking about doing that, don't do it here. We're ready for it,” Steele said.
“We're not going to tolerate any abuse of public officials, threats to election officers, or abuse of anyone helping out at our drop boxes — period.”
Steele says the unit will be headed up by former Upper Merion police chief Tom Nolan who is now a lieutenant with the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, the investigative arm of the D.A.'s office.
“I want to say loud and clear that threats regarding the election will be taken very, very seriously, and they'll be investigated by the detectives. Criminal behavior will be charged and prosecuted,” Steele said.
County Commissioner Tom DiBello says people should not take matters into their own hands. Instead, he encourages people to call the county’s election tip line at 610-292-2024.
“Use the number, and it will be properly investigated. We don't want anybody to feel that they're going to secure democracy.”