ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Law enforcement agencies are investigating a physical confrontation during early voting in Orangeburg County on Wednesday.
On Wednesday around 11 a.m., the Orangeburg County Library polling location experienced an incident between a voter and a poll worker, which another voter caught on camera.
The video obtained by News19 shows a voter and a poll worker in a heated conversation after a poll worker asked the voter to remove his "Let's Go Brandon" hat he was wearing inside the polling location.
This dispute led to a confrontation, and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety responded. A police report says the poll worker was given a citation for assault and battery but not arrested.
John Michael Catalano with the South Carolina Election Commission says that campaign literature of all kinds is prohibited at inside polling locations.
“Our state law prohibits a person from displaying any kind of campaign literature within 500 feet of an entrance of a polling place," said Catalano. "So campaign materials, really anything that advertises a candidate or a political party, things like caps, pins, buttons, shirts, signs ... Any sort of campaign literature that is supporting or opposing a certain political party or candidate is considered to be campaign material.”
Catalano says the intention behind the law is to keep polls neutral.
“I think really the intent behind it is, it’s basically to keep the polling place sacred. The time for campaigning is over once the voter is in the polling pace," Catalano said. "They need to be able to cast their ballot the way they want to do it without being intimidated intentionally or unintentionally by another person in the polling place.”
Orangeburg Sheriff Leroy Ravenell posted a statement on Facebook about the incident at the polls:
“The safety and security of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, is paramount to me. As public servants, it is our desire that everyone has the freedom to exercise their right to vote free of intimidation and fear, along with our poll workers being able to do their civic duty free of violence and harassment. I, along with my team, have developed a plan to make sure there is a visible presence around the county beginning tomorrow throughout November 5th as our county goes to the polls. The increased presence will allow us to have an expedited response for calls of service by Poll Managers should they arise.”
In a statement to News19, the Orangeburg County Voter Registration and Elections Office said:
"The incident is being investigated by local and state authorities. Orangeburg County works hard to ensure elections are safe, secure, and run smoothly allowing all eligible voters the opportunity to vote in fair and impartial elections in accordance with state and federal regulations."