Two in five U.S. voters say they are worried about threats of violence or voter intimidation at polling stations during the midterm election, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
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According to research from the Brennan Center for Justice, the risk of voter intimidation and political violence has increased since 2020.
Two in five U.S. voters say they are worried about threats of violence or voter intimidation at polling stations during the midterm election, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Mountain State officials say they're expecting Election Day to run smoothly. Still, Julie Archer, the West Virginia Citizens for Clean Elections coordinator, said rural states face challenges when documenting cases of threats or harassment.
"Maybe having polling places out where there's not easily available cell or internet," said Archer. "We just want folks to be aware that these things can happen and that if they do happen, it's illegal."
Go to "vote411.org' for nonpartisan information on candidates and polling locations.
More than 1,700 voting precincts will be staffed and open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Voters in line by 7:30 p.m. will be permitted to vote, according to the Secretary of State's Office.
Archer explained that the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia has created a statewide hotline for voters and a "Know Your Rights" voter guide available at 'acluwv.org.'
"In West Virginia," said Archer, "voters who encounter problems at the polls or might have questions about the voting process, they can also call West Virginia's election protection hotline, which is 304-355-5012."
Melanie Campbell - president and CEO of The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation - said groups with a history of voter suppression might feel more vulnerable this year than in previous midterms.
"One of the things that are very different about what we're hearing on the ground are the safety concerns," said Campbell, "safety for voters, safety for organizations."
According to a recent Gallup poll, most voters planned to vote before Election Day this year during early voting periods, compared with the 2010 midterm election.
The Carnegie Corporation of New York provided support for this reporting.
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