CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — An Ohio state representative created a disturbance at a polling place on election night, making a scene and yelling loud enough that workers called police, according to law enforcement reports uncovered by 3News Investigates.
Two witness statements from Nov. 5 claim state Rep. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) was weaving in and out of voter lines and alarming employees at Bailey Road Christian Church before yelling at an 82-year-old election worker. Cuyahoga Falls Police Department documents show workers initially called the nonpartisan organization Protect The Vote before being advised to call law enforcement.
Cuyahoga Falls police responded to the polling location around 6:42 pm, with barely 45 minutes left until polls officially closed.
"My cohort contacted the (Summit County) board of elections, they suggested I contact you about the harassment," an election worker can be heard telling dispatchers in 911 audio.
Per the audio and written statements, Roemer entered the polling place and demanded to see voter lists, making a scene and causing a disturbance. Both statements claim Roemer was yelling at the 82-year-old poll worker, with the woman stating both Roemer and his campaign manager "were disrespectful and rude to me."
Eventually, Roemer was able to view the voter lists — which is allowed under public record laws — and left before law enforcement arrived. 3News Investigates reached out to a number listed for Roemer for comment, but has not heard back.
The only statement Roemer has made was to a Cuyahoga Falls officer, in which the state representative insisted he did not yell or curse during the incident. Summit County Board of Elections leadership informed 3News that the incident was investigated, but a review found that election staff acted appropriately.
Cuyahoga Falls police have confirmed they are investigating the incident as well, but cannot offer more information at this time. There could be video released once the investigation is complete.
Roemer won his election battle that night, defeating Democratic opponent AJ Harris by six percentage points to retain his seat in House District 31.