This brief is adapted from notes taken by Documenter Alicia Reuter, who covered the January Marion County Election Board meeting. 📝 Read more about what happened.
The Marion County Election Board met in January to address an Election Day incident. The agenda focused on a hearing regarding a voter’s conduct on Nov. 5, 2024, at First Friends Quaker Church.
Director of Elections Patrick Becker recounted that a voter wearing campaign attire became belligerent when asked to comply with Indiana law. The voter revealed two handguns and a knife, causing alarm and prompting some voters to leave. Police were called but made no arrests.
Margo Kelly, an Election Day poll inspector, provided further details, describing the voter’s disruptive behavior, refusal to remove campaign items and election fraud claims.
She highlighted the fear among the 50 to 60 voters and workers present, many of whom fled or expressed concerns for their safety.
“There was definitely some fear,” said Kelly. “Some of the voters who hadn’t gotten their ballots yet left.”
The board discussed the impact on poll workers and the effectiveness of de-escalation training. Legal counsel Daniel Pulliam explained that the disruptive voter’s attorney had requested a 30-day extension to prepare for the hearing. After deliberation, the board agreed to recess and reschedule the hearing.
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