Video captured by a local resident showed federal immigration agents stopping a vehicle near an early voting site in Key Largo on Oct. 20.
The incident caught on several cameras occurred just before 1 p.m. at the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo, a location where voters can cast their ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Several cars and masked Border Patrol agents were seen speaking with a man who was pulled outside his vehicle at the south entryway to the government center.
The incident drew criticism from Monroe County Supervisor of Elections Sherri Hodies. She said she received a call from an upset voter who couldn’t believe there were armed officers on the property of an early voting site.
“It appears that when the video was taken, the officers were not within the 150-foot non-solicitation zone required by Florida Election Code,” she said. “The mere presence of armed Border Patrol agents outside a polling place is expressly prohibited by federal law as shown in 18 U.S.C. 592 during elections.
Hodies added that it was unnecessary for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to make this stop at the polling site.
“And it clearly goes against the promises we received as elections officials in the months preceding these elections. In meeting after meeting, we have been repeatedly reassured the voting process would remain a peaceful experience for voters. There would not be any show of force by federal agencies at our nation’s polling places.
“We were assured repeatedly by our contacts at the Department of Homeland Security that this would not occur, so we are stunned,” Hodies continued. “I took an oath to protect voters in Monroe County and their right to cast their vote and that is what I intend to do. It is the foundation of democracy. We are to ensure that our voters have access to voting without any intimidation or suppression.”
It’s unknown whether the man who was stopped was entering the center to vote.
Hodies said she’s also since spoken with the FBI and other officials regarding the incident.
The Keys Weekly reached out to U.S. Homeland Security for comment on the incident and is awaiting comment.
