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Two ‘Thugs’ Try to Intimidate Redwood City Voters

Two men wearing all black were asking voters for their IDs outside a polling place.

Two men at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church polling place who were asking for voters’ IDs this morning have now left and may be trolling other polling places, according to the voting supervisor Marilyn Tinderholt.

The two men, described as "thug-looking," tall, and Caucasian with buzz-cut or shaved heads were wearing all black with dark sunglasses and standing in front of the polling place at 134 Hemlock Avenue with their arms crossed.

They carried a binder which they claimed had names and addresses of eligible voters, Tinderholt said. They were also asking voters to show their IDs, which is not a requirement to vote in the state of California, said volunteer Debra Prime. 

Tinderholt called the Elections office to confirm that the two men were not allowed to be there.

The two left as soon as the election workers called the Redwood City Police Department.

“We don’t want people thinking they have to have voter IDs,” Tinderholt said. “If anyone asks you for something like that, ignore them.”

She added that she was worried the two men might be moving on to other polling places, and that the Redwood City Police Department would keep an eye out for them around town.

If you have trouble exercising your right to vote today, call the Voter Protection Hotline: 1-800-311-VOTE.

You can also contact the San Mateo Elections Office if you witness any problems at the polls today: David Tom, dtom@smcare.org, 650-312-5222.

Get the contact information of the voters so they can file an official complaint, as well as the names of any staff from the elections office, poll workers, etc. Any machine that has issues should be sequestered with numbered seals immediately.

 

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    Jon Schwark November 6, 2012 at 07:56 pm
    Really? In Redwood City? hahahahahaha. Have you ever been there?
    Leslie November 6, 2012 at 07:58 pm
    I dont see the problem in requiring voters to show their ID at the polls to the poll workers, we are required by law to have IDs with us at all times anyway. Showing IDs would help to cut back on a great deal of voter fraud. In this case it wasn't the poll workers asking but non workers which is not allright.
    Doc G November 6, 2012 at 07:58 pm
    When it comes to equality & fairness, Republicans will stoop to any level to cheat & try to bully others.
    Most, are nothing more than bottom dwelling slug feces.
    Jon Schwark November 6, 2012 at 07:59 pm
    The one person who reported it was the precinct elections supervisor though, according to the story, and she says she called the police. I suppose she has a lot more to lose if it is proven false than a random voter making up stories.
    Antonette Bryant November 6, 2012 at 08:01 pm
    Did ANYONE bother to read that the "thugs" were dressed in black BUT were physically described as bald-headed CAUCASIAN males?? Please Please read articles in their ENTIRETY before commenting.
    Jennifer van der Kleut (Editor) November 6, 2012 at 08:02 pm
    I spoke personally with several different people who witnessed the two men doing this. Also, to everyone, please note that the two men were *wearing* black, but their race was reported by all witnesses as Caucasian. - Editor J.V.
    Mike Thomas November 6, 2012 at 08:02 pm
    Uh, Big Dave - it was your skinhead friends intimidating African American voters. The people voting were following the letter of the law. Your fellow Klansmen were breaking the law.
    Oh, and Big Dave - we were here first. If anyone needs to go back where they came from, it's anti-American bigots like yourself!
    Jennifer van der Kleut (Editor) November 6, 2012 at 08:03 pm
    Lisa - the two men were not black. They were wearing black clothing. The men were Caucasian.
    Jennifer van der Kleut (Editor) November 6, 2012 at 08:05 pm
    To everyone - we have no way of knowing if the two men were members of any organization, or were Democrats or Republicans. They did not appear to be trying to sway voters in any particular direction, but were trying to discourage certain people from voting at all.
    J.N. November 6, 2012 at 08:05 pm
    I had previously given Lisa Crawford the distinguished "Most Idiotic Reply" award but she has now been stripped of that award as Big Dave has one upped her, with his ignorant regurgitation.
    Jon Schwark November 6, 2012 at 08:07 pm
    Thanks for the clarification Jennifer :) Keep up the good work.
    Keith November 6, 2012 at 08:08 pm
    I did not see anything about he Black Panthers in this article, the vote for President is not a right given by God but the constitution and the blood of individuals who helped fight for this right not just for minorities but in essence all americans.
    Offred November 6, 2012 at 08:08 pm
    I haven't seen that coverage. Please provide a link--if you can.
    Maribeth Ackerman November 6, 2012 at 08:10 pm
    There was one guy, at an african american precinct, bothering nobody. I'm sure you will see his picture on an endless loop at Faux.
    Offred November 6, 2012 at 08:10 pm
    More likely right-wing evangelical Christian thugs.
    garypeter November 6, 2012 at 08:12 pm
    Gee, just a thought. Wonder what side they were trying to dissuade? Shaved heads? Glasses? Black? Boots? Sounds a tad 'neo-nazi' to me and I don't believe that the Neo-Nazi's would be suddenly siding with their local Anti-Christ, President Obama. Or am I misguided? Perhaps I am just overreacting and assuming. Doubt it, though.
    Sean F. November 6, 2012 at 08:12 pm
    Steve: more likely Romney thugs. I doubt new Americans would be voting Republican.
    joshb November 6, 2012 at 08:13 pm
    Yeaaaaaaaaa right. Black panthers are intimating voters.
    Dave H November 6, 2012 at 08:27 pm
    Big Dave - you lay waste to my good name. HGow ignorant of you to think that CA voters have any need to show their IDs. We still live in a free country where people like you can't force us to show papers, require IDs only for us to vote. And where in the Nation has there been voter fraud to support your imbecilic claim. Sorry, that last line was probably over your head. Let me re-phrase - show me where voter fraud has run rampant in this country. And these Men in Black are pushing out the "others", I'm sure your lily-white ass would have been allowed to pass on by.
    Lisa Crawford November 6, 2012 at 08:48 pm
    J.N., you are such a hypocrite. You are so quick to believe that two white guys with, Heaven forbid, buzz cuts or shaved heads, are Romney thugs but call me an idiot for bringing up the fact that there are New Black Panther people out there intimidating people. Here are several links with photos: Proof of Black Panthers in polling area:
    http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/11/06/just-in-member-of-new-black-panther-party-watches-philadelphia-polling-place/ http://www.theblaze.com/stories/we-talked-to-the-special-ops-vets-who-are-monitoring-voter-intimidation-at-polling-sites-theyre-having-a-lot-of-fun/ http://frontpagemag.com/2012/dgreenfield/obamas-black-panthers-are-back-intimidating-voters/ http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2012/11/06/Report-Obama-Attempts-to-Steal-Philly-Black-Panthers-In-Repub-Poll-Workers-out Now where is your proof with a photo of these " thugs" that supposedly asked for photo ID... I thought so.
    mike November 6, 2012 at 08:57 pm
    But its ok for thugish looking Black Panthers dressed in all black to stand stare down voters in Philly and they arent run off, funny how that works
    J.N. November 6, 2012 at 09:05 pm
    Lisa,
    I'm sorry you can't read very well, but ill give you the benefit of the doubt that you may have just gotten a little too wound up to read my comment a little s-l-o-w-e-r. Where in my reply and award nomination to you did i say that "believe that two white guys with, Heaven forbid, buzz cuts or shaved heads, are Romney thugs" hmmm oh it's because i didn't. Thank you, so now go have a beer and watch our great nation celebrate the re-election of "our" President. Good night and goodbye ma'am.
    J.N. November 6, 2012 at 09:08 pm
    By the way did anyone see Mitt try to appease the Latino vote and throw his wife a Quinceañera! OMG, and people buy into this guy. Not only did he over tan for a Univision interview, but now this! It's just appalling.
    Max Stone November 6, 2012 at 09:58 pm
    There is a link to a video from fox news that said a black panther party member was intimidating voters outside a polling place, but in the video all he was doing was opening the door and smiling at people. Not very intimidating. He could have at least snarled a little.
    Pablo suarez solis November 6, 2012 at 10:02 pm
    The "latino"vote is very different in South Fl....We do not believe in socialism or big Government....not we like a big toothy smile,and populist bs....We like a good administrator with a proven success history
    Pablo suarez solis November 6, 2012 at 10:04 pm
    THAT IS YOUR OPINION,I THINK Romney will do fine with the legal latinos
    Luis November 6, 2012 at 10:52 pm
    So you're voting for Obama I gather. Romney's smile, and socialism for the rich and a government that he can make money from plus a failed governorship is not my idea of a good president either.
    Max Stone November 6, 2012 at 10:53 pm
    @Lisa the video that you posted the link for shows exactly what I spoke about earlier, a man dressed in black opening doors for voters. Where is the intimidation. Also no one at that polling site complained to any authorities that they felt intimidated. But you seem to be a faux news fan so I'm wasting my breath
    J.N. November 7, 2012 at 02:09 am
    Looks like the Mormon profecy failed to materialize. Good bless you America!
    Morgan Richardson November 7, 2012 at 02:40 am
    Here come the death panels---under the guise of "denied gov coverage". Starting with your 2014 tax return--u must report health information! Idiot Obama voters....
    Note Article
    Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
    Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
    Vanessa Castañeda (Editor) June 14, 2013 at 01:28 pm
    Good question, cipiazza. This is probably related to a sewage pipeline replacement project takingRead More place nearby.
    Alison Madden June 16, 2013 at 07:33 pm
    Vanessa and ctpiazza, Buckley Stone at Pete's Harbor says it is because some time ago the CityRead More dredged near muni and ran a pipe under to spill it out at Bair Island, so it is actually the remains of rotting sea life. He knows so much about this area having been at Pete's for 20 years and knowing so much about the area the tides and the nature and land around here.