From County of Berks
With Election Day approaching, the County of Berks is reminding voters that Pennsylvania and federal law place strict limits on the presence of law enforcement officers at and around polling places.
Under Pennsylvania’s Election Code, police officers and other law enforcement officers generally may not be within 100 feet of a polling place during an election unless they are in the act of voting, serving warrants, called upon to control a disturbance, or the polling place is located in a police station. Additionally, with limited exceptions, federal law enforcement officials and U.S. military personnel should not be present at polling places unless they are in the act of voting. Per Pennsylvania law, constables and deputy constables may be present at polling places for the purpose of preserving the peace. Please note that a “polling place” is legally defined to mean the room where voting occurs, not necessarily the entire building.
Berks County voters should be confident that measures are in place to provide protection while voting without unnecessary interference. Berks County’s Election Services staff consistently review legal requirements and County polling place procedures with district election officers.
The County of Berks encourages voters who have questions or concerns about conduct at their polling location to first speak with the Judge of Election at that polling place. Voters who have experienced voter intimidation or have witnessed voter intimidation, election fraud, or another election-related crime may also contact the Pennsylvania Department of State at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or file an election complaint online at pa.gov/services/vote/file-an-election-complaint. Anyone who feels physically unsafe should call 911.
