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GOP trains poll watchers before Election Day

GOP trains poll watchers before Election Day

With just over a month until Election Day, Republicans are pushing to get more poll watchers to the polls. The Republican National Committee and the Trump campaign held a so-called poll watcher training session in Franklin on Wednesday as part of a nationwide “Protect the Vote” effort. The last time we had the choice, I believe it was wrong. And I want to make sure that we get the right number of ballots in the ballot boxes that are supposed to be there. “That’s what they’re supposed to be,” said Robert Kronce, who showed up for election observer training on Wednesday. There are rules that poll watchers must follow on Election Day that are set forth in state law. Local election officials say the law is intended to prevent poll watchers from obstructing the voting process. WISN 12 News received an invitation to Wednesday’s event at the Franklin Library, but does not know if the training violated the rules outlined in the state law cited above because the press was not allowed to watch. RNC officials did not conduct interviews about the content of the event or training and would not provide the press with access to a copy of the training presentation. Officials did not give a specific reason why the press had to leave. Officials said a key part of their training was encouraging poll watchers to report what they consider suspicious to a team of state RNC lawyers. Republican State Senator Julian Bradley spoke at the event but also did not share details about the training. “They are not trying to cause any election-related disruption at all,” Bradley said of the Republican-trained poll watchers. Bradley condemned any voter intimidation attempts: “Anyone who tries to intimidate a clerk or commit violence at the polls should go to prison,” Bradley said. “That is not what we want in this process. This process must be open, it must be transparent, and it must be easy to vote and hard to cheat. Period,” said Milwaukee Election Commission Director Paulina Gutierrez. Last month, she announced in advance that her agency was prepared for the influx of election observers and welcomed partnership and feedback. “We really appreciate having them, but the reality is that if they interfere with the process, they will be removed,” Gutierrez said. “We take it very seriously that everyone has the right to vote without interference.” Wednesday’s event is part of a nationwide effort by the Republican National Committee. The RNC announced it has recruited more than 200,000 poll watchers nationwide.

FRANKLIN, Wis. –

With just over a month until Election Day, Republicans are pushing to get more poll watchers to the polls.

The Republican National Committee and the Trump campaign held a so-called election observer training in Franklin on Wednesday as part of a nationwide “Protect the Vote” tour.

“I want to protect the voice. The last time we had the choice, I think it was wrong. And I want to make sure that we get the right number of ballots in the mailboxes that are supposed to be where they’re supposed to be,” said Robert Kronce, who showed up to training Wednesday as a poll observer.

There are rules that poll watchers must follow on Election Day, which are set forth in state law. Local election officials say the law is intended to prevent poll watchers from obstructing the voting process.

WISN 12 News received an invitation to Wednesday’s event at the Franklin Library, but does not know if the training violated the rules outlined in the aforementioned state ordinance because the press was not allowed to watch.

RNC officials also did not conduct interviews about the content of the training or provide the press with access to a copy of the training presentation. Officials did not give a specific reason why the press had to leave.

Officials said a key part of their training is encouraging poll watchers to report what they consider suspicious to a team of state RNC lawyers.

Republican State Senator Julian Bradley spoke at the event but also did not share details about the training.

“They are not trying to create disruption related to the election at all. Rather, they are trying to be part of the process,” Bradley said of the Republican-trained poll watchers.

Bradley condemned any attempts at voter intimidation.

“Anyone who attempts to intimidate an employee or commit violence at the election should go to prison,” Bradley said. “That is not what we want in this process. This process must be open, it must be transparent, and it must be easy to vote on and difficult to cheat. Point.”

Milwaukee Election Commission Director Paulina Gutierrez told Upfront last month that her agency is prepared for the influx of poll watchers and welcomes partnership and feedback.

“We really appreciate having them, but the reality is that if they interfere with the process, they will be removed,” Gutierrez said. “We take it very seriously that everyone has the right to vote without interference.”

Wednesday’s event is part of a nationwide effort by the Republican National Committee. The RNC announced it has recruited more than 200,000 poll watchers nationwide.