Supporters of President Trump descended on a polling place in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, chanting "four more years," as early voting continued in the state for a second day, video from the scene shows.
Driving the news: While the group did not directly block the Fairfax County Government Center entrance, some voters and elections staff "did feel intimidated by the crowd and we did provide escorts past the group," an official said, per the New York Times.
As you can see none of them are wearing Masks 😷 #MAGA #EarlyVoting #Virginia pic.twitter.com/lyqxxIrJb9
— Anthony Tilghman (@AnthonyTilghman) September 19, 2020
- "Those voters who were in line outside of the building were moved inside and we continued operations," said Gary Scott, the general registrar of Fairfax County, in a statement.
Of note: Virginia law states it is "unlawful for any person ... to hinder or delay a qualified voter in entering or leaving a polling place."
- Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano said in a statement, "I am instructing my office to pursue cases of voter intimidation that may occur."
What they're saying: Fairfax County Republican Committee Vice Chair Sean Rastatter, who was at the polling place, said he didn't think "there was any way to need or feel intimidated in any form" and that the group complied with officials requests to "back away from the curb," the New York Times notes.
- Fairfax County Democrats Chair Bryan Graham tweeted, "The Republicans are straight-up attempting to intimidate voters at the Government Center. Circling the parking lots with their Trump flags and horns blaring."
The big picture: Virginia election officials have reported high turnouts during the first two days of early voting in the state.
