Posted on 10/27/2020 7:50:59 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
State officials across the country are preparing for the worst in case violence breaks out on or after Election Day. There is a role that the National Guard can play, as well as local police. Different states and localities have laws that must be taken into consideration as preparations are being made.
For instance, the National Guard doesnt want to get involved in providing security at polling places. That role is filled by poll workers and local police departments. The National Guard can provide a role in cybersecurity, assisting state officials by trying to prevent foreign governments and others from interfering with the vote. However, in some states, they will assist poll workers, dressed in civilian clothes. They will help set up tables and hand out ballots. There is a nationwide shortage of election workers due to the coronavirus pandemic. Workers at polling places tend to be older and older people fall into the high-risk category for the virus.
Some states will add security guards to polling places and for protection of ballot drop-off boxes. Some jurisdictions do not allow uniformed officers as security, though, as it can be interpreted as voter intimidation by voters. They have to wait to be called by the election workers before they can come in.
Given this years tensions, and the fact that the police themselves are a major issue in the election, the question of their presence at polling places has become a partisan flashpoint in some places.
Democrats in Miami complained about a uniformed police officer wearing a Trump face mask at an early-voting location, and he faces potential discipline by his department.
New Jersey is considering last-minute legislation to restrict the presence of officers at polling places, a debate that quickly acquired partisan overtones.
A similar dispute broke out in North Carolina, where the Board of Elections issued a memo reminding uniformed police officers to stay away from polling places, and state Republicans objected.
Republican State Sen. Paul Newton says the Board, which is controlled by Democrats, overstepped its authority, and that it cant tell police what to do.
In Michigan, there is a lawsuit pending over Secretary of State Jocelyn Bensons directive saying visible guns would not be allowed at the polls or other election-related offices this year. Generally speaking, the states open-carry law is a permissive one but state officials are concerned this year over public safety at the polls. Police authorities doubt that they can enforce the Secretarys directive and point to the lawsuit that has been filed against it.
Police departments in cities that have experienced street violence and riots in recent months are preparing to have additional officers on duty on Election Day. In Chicago, Police Superintendent David Brown is prepared for agitators that embed themselves in street protests. You know, those peaceful protests we keep hearing about that turn violent and destructive.
From those lessons learned over the summer, we are planning for that to be a feature of peaceful protests, on Election Day, Brown said at a press conference last week.
We have operations in place to ensure that they dont destroy property, that they dont cause further violence and that they are held accountable, he says.
In Texas, an announcement was made on Monday by the state National Guard that Governor Abbott is sending 1,000 troops to the five largest cities to handle any unrest on Election Day or afterward. These cities are Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. Like clockwork, Texas Democrats began criticizing the move as voter suppression and intimidation. The Texas National Guard commanders chief of staff said that the troops will be used to deter any civil disturbance at sites in various cities within Texas, not to watch polling locations. The governor has not requested that the Texas National Guard protect polling stations. Other military officials confirm that there are no plans to provide support at polling locations.
In a statement, Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris said that the Texas Military Department was activated to provide additional support to the Department of Public Safety in the summer of 2020.
Texas Service Members continue to support DPS in this capacity, guarding historical landmarks such as the Alamo and the State Capitol, Norris explained. To be clear, there has been no request nor any plan to provide any type of support at any polling location in Texas.
The San Antonio Express-News also reported that Norris had been asked to draft contingency plans in case of trouble.
Wisconsin and Kentucky have deployed National Guard troops to help out by setting up tables and hand out ballots.
Americans are concerned about the potential for violence, especially in the aftermath of the election. The sales of guns and ammunition are at record-setting levels. People are stocking up on supplies like toilet paper and food for their pantry. Just in case there is chaos, Americans are preparing if it becomes necessary to hunker down after the election. Who can blame anyone for preparing for the worst after the violence seen during the Summer of Love and continuing now in major cities across the country? And, with the threats of another national lockdown coming from Joe Biden and other Democrats, Americans are feeling the stress coming from uncertainty. I think Election Day will be ok but I, too, worry about the days following the election. We can hope for calm while we prepare for the worst-case scenario.
Liberals set their cities on fire, win or lose...
That is called premeditated, just as the Benghazi 9-11-2012 attack wasn’t “spontaneous outrage over a youtube video”
The riots are going to start earlier than people expect. Id say theyll get going Monday after dark. And theyll be in places most people dont expect.
Best be ready.
L
I'm concerned, but I won't take the bait.
I'm pretty good at risk avoidance.
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If enough of these bstards were taken out. I think the message would be heard.
If you live in a liberal run big city, get out. Go stay with relatives, in a motel, RV park.
When the barbarians start breaking the sidewalk for stones to throw then you have to watch out.
Eventually they come across fire and spread it around,
The primary job of government is to protect its citizens. That’s why people pay taxes. Anyone living in one of these large cities should be pretty upset with their state and local government.
Agree. Best be ready
“For instance, the National Guard doesnt want to get involved in providing security at polling places.”
I got a crazy idea. Howzabout the National Guard follow whatever orders they get and not keep announcing in the press what orders they like?
Im sure they realize a majority of votes cast on Tuesday will be for President Trump and so any disruption will favor the Rats.
Everything so far has been training exercises. Get the mob that isn’t used to following instructions to doing things on command, knowing how to recognize and keep an eye on designated leaders, learn tactics for causing the most damage in the shortest amount of time, set up confrontations (frequently lethal after the election whether Trump wins or not), etc.
JMHo
Thats crazy talk.
L
Im pretty sure Trump will invoke the insurrection act for DC proper. The mobs will probably retreat to the bridges in MD and VA - no hope those jurisdictions will assist ...
That’s pretty rich considering the militia is the ONLY institution charged with the mission of putting down insurrection in the US Constitution. Go see for yourself. It’s there.
The democrats are going to violently attack the American people once President Trump is re-elected. Prepare accordingly for their Satanic acts against our Nation.
They thought it was this Tuesday in Philly.
The Left consists of revolutionaries who believe they have a divine right to rule. They are wrong and will be proven wrong at the ballot box, by the cartridge box if necessary.
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