Hoping for a calm and peaceful Election Day on Nov. 5, the Sheriffs Association of Pennsylvania is condemning any politically motivated threats or violence and promising prosecution for offenders.
“One of the most important roles that a sheriff in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania fulfills is to make certain that our citizens can exercise their right to vote without fear or favor, threats, intimidation or violence,” the statement read in part.
McKean County Sheriff Dan Woods agreed. “I’m not aware of anything in McKean County. Fingers crossed that we don’t have any issues.”
Deputies won’t be close to the polls — avoiding even the appearance of attempted influence.
“We will be available as needed,” Woods said. “If someone would need an escort with ballots, we would be there for that.”
He continued, “I hope there’s no issues. Everybody has a right to vote. Nobody should be pressured for their choice.”
The Sheriff’s Association statement concluded with this: “Part of the definition of democracy reads ‘government by the people,’ and rest assured that anyone who engages in violence against voters or seeks to illegally disenfranchise a voter, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
It was signed by Sean P. Kilkenny, sheriff of Montgomery County, president of the PA Sheriffs’ Association.
