SAN ANTONIO — A 63-year-old Bexar County man was arrested after allegedly punching an election clerk when he was asked to take off his hat supporting presidential candidate Donald Trump, breaking polling site rules.
Jesse Lutzenberger faces charges of injury to an elderly person for assaulting the 69-year-old poll worker Thursday evening at the Johnston Library voting site.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar called it an “ugly incident,” saying there was no place for violence in elections.
“There was nothing life-threatening, but it was still an ugly incident where I can’t think of something like this happening in my time as sheriff,” Salazar said.
Officials said Lutzenberger arrived around 6:30 p.m. to vote and put on his hat supporting a candidate. Documents specified it was a red “Make American Great Again” cap, referencing Trump’s campaign slogan.
It’s against Texas election rules, however, to wear badges or attire referencing candidates or measures on the ballot while in a polling place. Salazar said a poll worker at Johnston Library reminded Lutzenberger about the rules, and he removed it before casting his ballot.
Upon leaving, however, Lutzenberger allegedly put the hat back on while still in the building. An election clerk “told him that was unacceptable,” Salazar said, and began to escort him out. That’s when Lutzenberger allegedly turned physical, throwing his arm and then “several punches” at the clerk before leaving.
Bexar County Sheriff’s deputies investigated and took Lutzenberger into custody at his home Friday. He has since been released after posting bail on a $30,000 bond.
The sheriff said “several dozen deputies” have been taken off patrol duties to respond exclusively to any issues arising at polling sites during the ongoing early voting period. Up until Thursday night, most incidents were deemed “swatting-type” calls in which callers report a situation that isn’t happening, or otherwise were cases of voters showing up with clothes supporting a candidate.
R&I ~ MJM
Conservative-Minion