May 9, 2022 - The Madera County Registrar of Voters Office has been made aware of social media posts that seem to originate in the Eastern Madera County area and are suspected to be criminal in nature.

Encouraging or conspiring with others to interfere with the voting process or harass voters who are engaging in their constitutional right to vote is a crime.

The posts suggest "staking out" official ballot drop boxes, recording voters in the act of voting without their consent and blocking access to drop boxes.

Screenshots of the posts in question have been gathered and are being forwarded to local authorities, the California Secretary of State's Office and the FBI for investigation and prosecution.

"I am both appalled and saddened by what I have read," stated Registrar of Voters Rebecca Martinez. "I have never been so angered by what is going on in our own community. Everyone has a right to vote without fear of being bullied or intimidated. I am prepared to go to whatever lengths are necessary to identify the cowards behind these anonymous posts and ensure that they are held accountable for their cowardly acts."
Source: Madera County Elections Department