Trump supporter swinging a machete accused of voter intimidation

When you go to vote, no one is allowed to approach you, hand you leaflets, try to convince you to vote for his candidate, or threaten you because of your choice.

They’re not allowed either wave machetes at each other while waving the Donald Trump flagas occurred Tuesday afternoon at a Neptune Beach polling place, according to Neptune Beach Police Chief Michael Key Jr.

According to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office jail records, police arrested Caleb James Williams, 18, of Neptune Beach on suspicion of aggravated assault on a person 65 years of age or older and a misdemeanor count of improper display of a firearm or dangerous weapon. Key said he was part of a group of seven men, all aged 16 and 17, who showed up to “protest and antagonize the opposing political side.”

Key said it escalated “well beyond freedom of expression” to the point where Williams “swung a machete in an aggressive, threatening posture above his head” at the two women, aged 71 and 54, which frightened them. The women called the police.

“Voting in our country is one of the most sacred and protected rights we have,” Key said press conference on Tuesday. “Ensuring everyone’s right to vote is critical and will not be hindered in Neptune Beach or Duval County.”

Anti-Semitic slurs were shouted in South Florida

A man was arrested in West Palm Beach last Thursday for shouting anti-Semitic and racist insults and profanities circling the early voting site parking lot. Nicholas Farley, 30, faces up to 10 years in prison on two counts of intimidation and voting interference.

These are extreme examples of voter intimidation. In Florida, it is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, and is illegal under federal law.

Here’s what you need to know as you head to the polls.

What is voter intimidation?

Under Florida law, a person may not “directly or indirectly use or threaten to use force, violence, intimidation or any coercive or intimidating tactic to induce or compel a person” to:

Vote or abstain
Vote or refrain from voting for any specific person or ballot
Refrain from registering to vote
Refrain from acting as a legally authorized election official or poll observer

It is also illegal to knowingly use false information to challenge a person’s right to vote; attempt to induce someone to vote, register to vote, become an election official or poll watcher; or knowingly destroy, mutilate or destroy a voter registration form or ballot.

Federal law says that “whoever intimidates, threatens, coerces or attempts to intimidate, threaten or coerce any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of that other person to vote or to vote of his choice, or for the purpose of causing such other person to vote for or which may not be voted on, any candidate (for federal office) shall be liable to a fine under this title or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or both.”

What are some examples of voter intimidation?

Voter intimidation can take many forms, but the end result is the same: making you feel uncomfortable, uncomfortable, and concerned about casting your vote. Some examples from a group that oversees a nonprofit organization Campaign legal center include, among others:

Verbal or physical confrontation of voters
Physical intimidation: Standing or hovering near voters
Direct confrontation or questioning of voters or asking voters for ID or proof of citizenship if they are not authorized to do so
Handing out leaflets that threaten imprisonment or other punitive action against people who vote
Occupying the parking lot in front of the polling station in such a way as to prevent voters from entering.
Vandalism polling stations
Use of police officers threaten or intimidate voters
Threats from the employer implying that a person’s job, salary or benefits could be at risk depending on how they vote

Each polling station must have a 50-meter “no-solicitation zone” in which no person, group or organization may approach you for the purpose of influencing your vote, handing out leaflets or campaign materials, conducting polls (except authorized exit polls), asking for petition signatures or trying to sell you anything.

What should I do if someone is using voter intimidation against me?

Don’t try to get involved. If possible, move away, ask to be left alone, if not, and tell someone. You have many options.

Call 911
Inform the election official on site
Notify all law enforcement agencies present at the polling place
Report this to countrystate’s attorney, yours local elections officeor call the Florida Voter Assistance Hotline at 1-866-308-6739
Contact local FBI office.

What is allowed at the polling station?

Election day officials are also prohibited from influencing anyone’s vote. Electoral commission employees, electoral inspectors and other employees are prohibited from:

Wearing campaign buttons, shirts, hats or other political items
Discussing any candidate, political party or related topic with other employees
Have any visible written campaign or related materials

Photography of any kind, including security cameras, is prohibited, although voters may take photos of their ballots while in the voting booth.

Who can enter polling places in Florida?

These are just the following people they were allowed to enter polling places in Florida: :

The person who is to vote
Someone in this voter’s care, such as a child or an elderly person
A person caring for or assisting a voter in voting if the voter is elderly or does not speak English
District Electoral Supervisor or his deputy
Poll observers approved by the Supervisor of Elections
Election observers appointed by the Department of State
Authorized law enforcement officers or emergency services personnel

Spouses, parents, guardians and others may not accompany you to the voting booth unless they are in your care or custody as described above.

If the polling place is located in an area with easy access to businesses or homes, other people may pass through the area, but election officials have a duty to ensure that they do not disrupt the voting process.

Who are poll watchers?

Poll watchers are people assigned to monitor the voting process to ensure security and watch for signs of voting fraud. They must be authorized by the Supervisor of Elections and have an identification tag provided.

Poll watchers are not allowed to interact with voters, are not allowed to approach voting booths and cannot obstruct the “orderly conduct” of the election. Any questions should be directed to election staff. The following individuals may have one poll watcher at each polling place or early voting area:

Political party or candidate
A political committee formed for the express purpose of advocating for the passage or defeat of an issue on the ballot

Poll watchers cannot be candidates or law enforcement officials.

Are guns allowed at polling places in Florida?

NO. Pursuant to Florida lawno one may openly bring or carry a concealed weapon into a polling place.

The only exception by statewould be a law enforcement officer who has been authorized to vote while on duty and who is required to carry a firearm while on duty.

(This story has been updated with new information.)

David Bauerlin of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union contributed to this story.