NORRISTOWN, Pa. – As Election Day approaches, Montgomery County officials are reminding citizens to be courteous and respectful when communicating with poll workers, voter services personnel and other members of the public at polling stations and at the polls.

The county received reports of voters feeling uncomfortable with the activities of other members of the public verbally speaking and filming interactions outside of drop boxes and voter services satellite offices .

Members of the public, including party-appointed poll observers, party volunteers, political candidates and other volunteers, are allowed to engage with voters and even film in public spaces outside polling locations. vote.

However, officials say filming inside polling places and election offices, as well as acts of voter intimidation or harassment, are strictly prohibited.

“We want to remind people that any form of intimidation or harassment against voters or election workers while carrying out their civic duties is absolutely unacceptable,” said Neil K. Makhija, chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Elections. .

“The safety of our poll workers and voters is of the utmost importance. We work very closely with the County Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Public Safety and our municipal law enforcement partners to ensure that every person participating in our elections, that they participate operations or make their voice heard, can do so in complete safety. and without fear. We are prepared to respond to any allegations of intimidation, harassment or violence,” he added.

2,800 poll workers are responsible for election operations at the county’s 426 polling places and officials say workers are not responsible for answering questions related to suspected criminal activity.

Any suspicious activity at drop boxes or voting locations, including suspected criminal activity, should be reported to the county election information line at 610-292-2024.