V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute
An un-identified older white female gained access to the Election Building on North Alley Street Friday evening after the polls had closed, requiring Jefferson Police Department to be called.
At approximately 8:15p, following the close of the polls, the woman began pounding on the door to the building demanding to know what was going on inside as no-one was supposed to be there after the polls closed.
Poll workers responded that they were there closing out the machines and shutting down the early voting location as required by Texas Elections Code.
Before a second door could be further secured, the woman made her way inside the building as JPD was being called. Workers told her the police had been called and that she needed to leave.
Before JPD could arrive, the woman had left the building and the immediate area.
The interaction was captured on cameras and Elections Coordinator Karen Jones and poll workers are working with JPD to identify the individual.
Jones said no machines were touched and no votes or ballots were ever in jeopardy.
Jones posted about the incident on FaceBook late Friday night.
“Election officials were securing equipment and ballots for transport when an incident occurred that required law enforcement assistance,” the post read.
“Election officials are carrying out duties required by the Texas Election Code. They must be able to do that work without fear of intimidation, interference, or threats,” she wrote.
JPD Chief Florentino Perez said “This is a very serious matter and will be investigated fully.” He had no further comment at this time.