International observers blocked from polls in nine states
A group of international electoral observers has been blocked from polling places in nine states and has had to take precautions in the face of security threats.
"We had to tell our people, don't approach a polling place within 100 feet," said Ambassador Daan Everts, who is leading the delegation from the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, a division of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. "We have had some unpleasant messages, euphemistically speaking."
After media reports falsely suggested they were in the country on behalf of the United Nations to challenge or interfere in the election, some states threatened to arrest the observers. Everts said they are being barred from polling places in Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.
The OSCE is not part of the United Nations, and Everts said the goal of the observers is limited and neutral and they will not challenge ballots or interfere in the election. The observers -