OLYMPIA – Harassing an elections worker in Washington could result in a five-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine, under a bill sent to the full state Senate Thursday.
The proposal was prompted by reports of threats and harassment around the country in the wake of last November’s presidential election, Sen. David Frockt, the bill’s sponsor, told the Senate Law and Justice Committee recently.
Elections officials at all levels, even those who merely counted or sorted ballots, he added.
“It’s just not acceptable in a democratic society,” said Frockt, a Seattle Democrat. We don’t have to agree on certain things in politics to agree (threatening elections workers) is unacceptable. We need to make it known now so that in the future, we don’t see it happening again.”