CAIR-NC welcomes charges over "This is about Islam" voter intimidation at Surry County polling site

In an October 20 statement, CAIR-NC welcomed charges against a person accused of voter intimidation at a Surry County, North Carolina, early voting site.

According to local reports and the Surry County Board of Elections, the incident occurred on the first day of early voting at the Dobson polling site at the Surry Board of Elections office. The suspect allegedly breached the designated buffer zone and yelled at and intimidated a voter, saying: "This is about Islam." The Dobson Police Department filed charges following the complaint.

CAIR-NC Community Engagement Manager Al Rieder said: "Polling places must remain safe spaces for every member of our community. We commend the swift response in addressing this unacceptable behavior. Voter intimidation undermines our democratic process and will not be tolerated. We urge election officials and law enforcement across the state to remain vigilant in protecting voters from hostility and harassment throughout the early voting period and on Election Day."

CAIR-NC encouraged community members who experience or witness intimidation at the polls to document the incident and report it to local election officials, law enforcement or civil rights organizations.