'Not gonna happen': D.C. Attorney General warns of voter intimidation

WASHINGTON (ABC7) — In the first Presidential debate in September and on the campaign trail, President Donald Trump has called on his supporters to be "poll watchers" at voting locations.

"I'm urging my supporters to go into the polls and watch very carefully, because that's what has to happen" Mr. Trump said during the debate.

The statement has leaders in the D.M.V. region like Washington, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine attempting to set the record straight.

"That is illegal, it is not appropriate and it is not going to happen," says Racine.

DC Attorney General Karl Racine (ABC7)

That is illegal, it is not appropriate and it is not going to happen.

Maryland Board of Elections Vice Chair Patrick Hogan also sought to reassure voters during a recent meeting.

READ ALSO: ABC7 On Your Side Voter Hotline: Tell us about issues at the polls or with ballots

"We have a history of good elections, civil elections and I think that will continue, but these are unique times," said Hogan.

While election monitors are legal in the D.M.V. region, "that process requires an application from an individual, qualifications and strict limits," Racine tells Seven On Your Side.

Otherwise, the activity can fall under voter intimidation which is illegal.

RELATED: Know your rights: What to do if you face trouble at the polls here in the D.M.V. region

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 21: Voters fill out their ballots as they vote at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center polling station on October 21, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The state of Florida saw a record-breaking first day of early voting with over 3.1 million votes cast. The early voting ends on Nov. 1. Voters are casting their ballots for presidential candidates President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The Virginia and D.C. Attorney's General have both recently released statements outlining what is and is not permissible at the polls.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring recently said in a CNN interview that "voter intimidation is never acceptable and its not going to be tolerated in Virginia."

Racine adds "it is unlawful to threaten, intimidate or coerce district residents who chose to vote by mail or in person, and now more than ever we urge district residents to be vigilant and report any type of unauthorized poll monitoring or voter intimidation to the office of the Attorney General."

Election and law enforcement officials in the District, Maryland and Virginia all have hotlines and online resources for you to report any suspected voter intimidation.

"The bottom line is D.C. residents should feel secure and have confidence that their vote will count no matter who they vote for," says Racine.