PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Electioneering, intimidation, harassment — the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office said these types of activities will not be tolerated in or around the polls come Election Day.
District Attorney Larry Krasner warned more directly: “F around and find out.”
The DAO Election Task Force will be activiated at 7 a.m. Tuesday. Task force prosecutors, detectives and other partnering entities will be charged with handling polling location complaints and infractions.
“We do have the cuffs, we do have the jail cells, we do have the Philly juries, and we have the state prisons,” the DA said. “If you’re going to try to bully people or try any of that nonsense … we’re not playing!”
Krasner said there are concerns that people — either working in the polls or close to the polls — may bring frivolous, bogus challenges to voters. For safety, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said rapid response personnel will be in place.
“We are ready, prepared for anything,” he assured. “We’ve done tabletop exercises, both with national partners and local partners, and just recently with our office emergency managers going through the process if an event happens, how we’re going to respond.”
The city is also ready for any protests or gatherings that may occur. Voters with questions about the election process should contact Philadelphia City Commissioners at 215-686-VOTE. People should call 911 to report violence or physical threats.
The Election Task Force hotline — 215-686-9641 — will stay open until polls close at 8 p.m.