Portage County, Ohio Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski (R) has been removed from election duties after posting a controversial message on social media suggesting (likely sarcastically) that people who place Harris-Walz campaign signs on their property “could get some unwanted house guests.” Cleveland19 reported that the sheriff’s comments, made on two separate accounts, have led to his department’s removal from providing election security:
According to a member of the Board of Elections, Randi Clites, a motion was made Friday morning to remove the sheriff’s department and the motion passed 3-1.
This motion will remove from the sheriff’s office’s presence from the Board of Elections office in Ravenna for the entirety of early voting as well as absentee voting.
Clites released the following statement after the vote:
As Board Members we are charged with preventing violence and disorder at the polls, and to conduct a safe and secure election process. It is clear by public comments in the past week there is perceived intimidation by our Sheriff against certain voters.
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. I believe walking into a voting location where a Sheriff Deputy can be seen may discourage voters from entering.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Deputies that have in the past provided safety to our BOE Board, Staff, and Voters throughout the election process. I do not for one second believe any Deputy would not continue to provide that level of service this election cycle, however not every citizen or voter has had that same opportunity to build the level of trust with our Deputies.
In his Sept. 13 post, Zuchowski wrote: “When people ask me…What’s gonna happen if the Flip-Flopping, Laughing Hyena Wins?? I say….write down all the addresses of the people who had her signs in their yards!” He continued with, “Sooo…when the Illegal human ‘Locust’ (which she supports!) Need places to live…We’ll already have the addresses of their New families…who supported their arrival!”
Zuchowski referenced towns like Aurora, Colorado, and Springfield, Ohio, which have been dealing with migrant and illegal immigration challenges, including the arrival of the Venezuelan transnational gang Tren de Aragua in Aurora.
In response to the post, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office stated on Sept. 17 that the comments did not violate election laws. LaRose’s office noted, “The sheriff can speak and answer for himself about the substance of his remarks. We’re focused on running an election that begins with military and overseas ballots going out this Friday.”
Zuchowski later clarified his comments, suggesting they were “a little misinterpreted.” He defended his First Amendment right and stated that those who vote for individuals with liberal policies “have to accept responsibility for their actions.”
Zuchowski has been serving as sheriff since 2021 and has worked in Ohio law enforcement for almost 30 years. His county of 160,000 people, home to Kent State University, is just east of the Akron-Cleveland corridor and about 200 miles from Springfield.
The elections board will use private security or the Ravenna Police Department for early and absentee voting security.
Sheriff Zuchowski has not responded to requests for comment.
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