Poll worker and registered Democrat James Zheng was ejected by an Indiana election office for allegedly pressuring voters against certain candidates and even pre-selecting Democratic candidates on the voting machines.
The Hamilton County Election Office ejected Zheng following numerous complaints beginning Thursday evening.
According to Fox News, Beth Sheller, Hamilton County Election Office Administrator said, “the poll worker was assisting a voter with an electronic ballot and pressed the ‘straight Democrat ticket’ option during the explanation. She said the voter was then confused about how to change the selection and raised the issue with another nearby poll worker. That worker resolved the issue, allowing the voter to cast a legitimate ballot, and then informed the polling inspector of what happened.”
BREAKING: James Zheng (D) ejected and facing investigation after he was caught electioneering & preselecting "Straight Dem. Ticket" for voters at early voting center in Carmel, IN, Thursday evening. https://t.co/rxwi21axR1
— Tony Kinnett (@TheTonus) November 6, 2022
The county GOP chairman Mario Massillamany condemned the incidents in a statement that reads, “This should serve as a cautionary reminder that those desperate to hold onto power or gain power will do anything–including breaking the law–to thwart the efforts of parents and taxpayers to replace our school boards with officials who more accurately reflect the values of our community.”
In response, the Hamilton County Democratic Party offered this explanation: “It appears as though school board activists, supporting GOP-endorsed candidates, were too close to voting machines at a vote center in the county. After a poll worker brought it to the attention of election administrators, he was removed from working the site.”
The statement continued, “The Hamilton County Republican Party is trying to sow last-minute doubt into the integrity of our elections. We believe voters deserve honesty and the truth.”
The events of the story occurred just days before the midterm elections where Republicans are expected to make large gains in the House and potentially take control of the Senate as well. These elections have also been hotly contested by both sides with Republicans and Democrats warning against voter intimidation and a lack of fairness at the polls.
Stories like this one only enhances the mistrust between the parties, especially when statements are made by the parties like the ones above.
