Wisconsin sets rules for federal agents at polls – suspicious letters to election offices
Wisconsin's elections commission has issued guidance in case ICE or FBI agents turn up on election day. Meanwhile the FBI is investigating letters with suspicious substances sent to election officials.
Symbolic image · Photo: Michael Barera / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Wisconsin's elections commission on Thursday approved guidance for some 1,800 local clerks in case federal officers from agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Homeland Security or the FBI appear at polling places on election day. According to AP, the head of the polling site should then notify the municipal clerk, who informs the county and the commission. Officers who come to observe must check in like other observers and follow the same rules. At a Democratic commissioner's suggestion, they are to be encouraged to wear plain clothes.
Republican Bob Spindell cast the only vote against; the guidance "is only going to scare away some people from the polls", he said. Elections administrator Meagan Wolfe called it ordinary contingency planning, and commission chair Don Millis, a Republican, said he expects a normal election. According to AP, DHS said it does not plan to send immigration officers en masse to polling sites and called such concerns fearmongering. Groups representing Latino, Black and Asian American voters nonetheless voiced concern.
Meanwhile, according to PBS NewsHour, federal agencies are investigating letters containing "suspicious substances" sent to congressional and state election officials. At least six states are affected, including Ohio, South Dakota and Maryland. The FBI said it is working with partners to identify those responsible. The congressional elections take place on 3 November.