RAVENNA, Ohio — Following comments by Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski calling for residents to "write down all the addresses of the people" with Kamala Harris signs in their yards, the Portage County Board of Elections has voted to remove the sheriff's office from its early voting security plan.
Board Member Randi Clites, a former Democratic state representative, was the one who put forth the proposal. The measure passed 3-1 Friday morning, with Clites being joined in the affirmative by board chair and county Democratic Party leader Denise Smith along with Republican Doria Daniels.
Amanda Suffecool, chair of the Portage County Republican Party, voted no.
"As Board Members we are charged with preventing violence and disorder at the polls, and to conduct a safe and secure election process," Clites said prior to the vote. "It is clear by public comments in the past week there is perceived intimidation by our Sheriff against certain voters."
Portage County deputies will no longer provide security during in-person early voting, which will take place at the board of elections building in Ravenna beginning Oct. 8 and then almost daily through Nov. 3, two days before Election Day. Private security will still be place, and Clites says the board is currently in talks with the Ravenna Police Department on potentially providing additional protection.
The controversy began this past weekend, when Zuchowski made his remarks about Harris supporters on his Facebook page. In the post, he also referred to the sitting vice president and Democratic presidential nominee as a "Flip - Flopping, Laughing Hyena" while also branding undocumented immigrants as "Illegal human 'Locust.'"
In the days after his initial post gained traction, Zuchowski spoke out again, doubling down on his previous statements and adding, "If the citizens of Portage County want to elect an individual who has supported open borders (which I've personally visited Twice!) and neglected to enforce the laws of our Country...then that is their prerogative." However, he did note, "I have sworn to protect ALL citizens of my County," regardless of political affiliation.
Yet that latter declaration has done nothing to quell the concerns of Zuchowski's critics, some of whom admitted they are "scared" to even put up yard signs. Clites referenced those fears in a statement issued after Friday's vote.
"While it is not my responsibility to weigh in on the Sheriffs comments directly, I feel strongly it is in my responsibility to make sure I do what is in my authority to make sure every voter in Portage County feels safe casting their ballot for any candidate they choose," she wrote. "I believe walking into a voting location where a Sheriff Deputy can be seen may discourage voters from entering."
3News has reached out to both the Portage County Sheriff's Office as well as Suffecool for additional comment and will update this story if we hear back.
Previous Reporting:
- Residents vent frustrations over Portage County sheriff's comments about Kamala Harris supporters at NAACP meeting
- Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski defends comments about Kamala Harris supporters: 'I am a Law Man...Not a Politician!'
- Portage County sheriff: 'Write down the addresses' of Kamala Harris supporters who display yard signs
