The Washington Election observer was charged with a felony after refusing to wear a mask during the number of presidential votes in November.
Timothy Hezero, a Republican from Oak Port, was charged last week with unauthorized access to a voting center for a dispute that began when he refused to wear a mask while monitoring vote counts.
Police for the 57-year-old were called when Island County auditor Shelia Krider refused to comply with the maskmandart imposed on the local polling room.
“We have to stand up when we believe something is wrong,” he said. He told Komo News.
Hoopra began when Hazelo arrived at the count room. There, signs are listed to read “Masks Necessary for this Room” and provide if no one has it.
Hezero refused to wear one, insisting on his duties as the auditor's duties had no legal support and that masked workers tallied the votes around him.
Someone eventually called the police at Hezero and the officer said he could put on a mask or leave.
“Hezero has been determined to be offered a last chance for Island County auditors to comply with the policies set up for masks to be worn by the voting processing room. The arrest report has been read.
Body cam footage from the incident obtained by Komo showed Hezero was non-combat, but told the election workers “I know who you are.”
“Hezero then stopped and tried to ask me if I was going to enforce a policy that he said he had no right to set,” the election worker told police in the report. “I explained that I didn't know what he was claiming. It's just that he refused to leave the building and was disorderly. He has nothing to do with setting rules on Hezel. I advised that there was no and that he did not follow the policies set by the auditors.”
Hezero was initially charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct, and a felony charge was filed several months later.
He refused to retreat from his stance that the auditors do not have the legal right to impose mask mandart.
“They strongly recommend wearing this mask if you're feeling bad, not feeling good, or feeling unwell or worried,” Hayzero said. Komo. “The power of attorney is too much.”
Auditors issued a mask order after COVID games spread to county election staff during the August primary, which has made it possible for workers to be exposed to the handling of votes by so many people. He said he would keep it safe from what he has.
A “unmasked” area was placed outside the room door, allowing observers who did not want to wear masks to do their work from the hall.
Hezero was not the first worker to have problems with orders. A week ago, another person refused to wear a mask and was forced to leave the count room.
Washington Republican Speaker Jim Walsh said he agreed with Hezero's stance that auditors do not have the legal right to impose mask mandates, Como said.
Hezero said he believes the court will prove him right and that he believes his fight has nothing to do with the mask.
“What it relates to is, at what point does politicians take responsibility for their decisions? What decisions can they make and they can't make at their level.” he said. “I don't want to be charged with a criminal offence. I want the court to decide. [Crider] You can make this decision yourself. ”
