(KYTX) - One Rusk County woman says she just wanted to go vote when she heard a racial rant against the President. She says it happened during early voting Tuesday. CBS 19's Amanda Roberson spoke with the woman Friday.
Voting is usually a quiet private moment without any interruption, but Rusk County woman Lenecia Muckleroy said that wasn't the case when the man voting next to her went on a racial rant and made her feel like a victim.
But the Rusk County Elections Administrator, Kathie Wittner, said she didn't hear it. "I was telling him how to use the machine, he told me he didn't wish to do it, all he wanted to do was do one party so he could get rid of the individual that was in there. I did not hear a racial slur."
Muckleroy said when she went to vote that same man Wittner was helping started making racial slurs, using the an-word in relation the president and saying he needed to be removed from office. Then she said the woman voting on the other side of her joined him.
Muckelroy said it was her first time to experience racism at that level and it still has her upset. "Even though he didn't call me that it was just the fact that he refers to the president as that because there's no respect there. He's still the president. Matters not black, white or orange, he's the president. Have some respect."
Muckleroy said half way through voting she asked the group if she needed to leave and said her voting attendant said if she did she'd lose her vote. Muckleroy said after a quick prayer she voted and left.
Since Tuesday, the Rusk County elections office has posted signs in the voting area telling people not to use any profanity and be silent. They've also added a security guard to monitor the voting area.
The Texas Secretary of State's Office said if someone tries to influence someone's vote at a polling location, it's an election violation. Any campaigning within 100 feet of a polling place is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500.
Usually someone will get a warning before being charged, but since the election officials at this location didn't hear anything this man will not face any disciplinary action.
Muckleroy said she's has been contacted by members of the NAACP, who intend to meet with her about the incident.
