Election tip line fields ‘minor’ complaints

NORRISTOWN » Those manning a special tip line established by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office to address potential election interference at the polls on Tuesday fielded more than two dozen complaints but nothing of a criminal nature.

“We’ve had about 30 calls so far, and all of them have been very minor. It’s all been very minor complaints and actually run of the mill for an election day, so far,” Kate Delano, spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office, said late Tuesday afternoon.

By 3:30 p.m., nearly nine hours after the polls opened at 7 a.m., none of the complaints to the tip line resulted in any criminal charges being filed.

For example, one caller complained that a person was not wearing a mask at a polling place,

ignoring COVID-19 restrictions. Another caller reported a person was playing loud music as he walked along the voter line.

“It’s been calls about minor things happening at polling places,” Delano said.

On Monday, District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said a team of county prosecutors would be available to respond to Election Day complaints. At that time, Steele said if the facts and evidence warranted it, his office would prosecute anyone who attempted to interfere with the election.

“There have been allegations that there will be election irregularities, and while we don’t expect any, we are ready to assist in protecting the integrity of our electoral system, as we do for every election,” Steele said.

The district attorney’s office vowed to investigate, and where appropriate, prosecute violations of election law.

The Election Tip Line at 610-292-2020 was to remain in operation until polls closed Tuesday.

Meanwhile, by mid-afternoon Tuesday, county election officials reported that there were no voting challenges brought before a county judge.

However, Kathy Barnette, a GOP candidate in the 4th Congressional District, filed a motion in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia challenging certain procedures used by the Montgomery County Board of Election during the intake of mail-in ballots. Officials said the complaint concerned 49 ballots.

Barnette is running against incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean. The 4th Congressional District includes most of Montgomery County and a portion of eastern Berks County.

A federal judge was expected to consider Barnette’s complaint at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

“We believe our process is sound and permissible under the Election Code,” Kelly Cofrancisco, director of communications for the county board of commissioners, said late Tuesday.