‘I will not help you;’ Sheriff’s office lieutenant says he won’t help Harris voters in social posts

Texas lieutenant sparks outrage with social media posts

On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, Lieutenant Lane Akin, a Montgomery County Sheriff's Office employee, posted "If you are planning to vote in Harris County on Election Day, please reconsider as it is likely to be dangerous," on his since-deleted Facebook page. Akin, who works in the office’s civil division, is also the director of the county’s Republican Party.

Outrage from Harris County Sheriff and Texas Democrats

Akin's comments sparked outrage from Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, who said the comments were "unacceptable" and "an embarrassment to our profession." Gonzalez also said that he had ordered an internal investigation into the matter. The Texas Democratic Party also denounced Akin's comments, calling them "dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric."

Akin's defense

In a statement released Tuesday night, Akin apologized for his comments, saying that he did not mean to "discourage anyone from voting." He said that he was simply trying to "warn people about the potential for violence" at polling places in Harris County. Harris County is the third most populous county in the United States, and it is home to the city of Houston. In the 2020 presidential election, Harris County was one of the most hotly contested counties in the country.

Response from voters

Despite Akin's apology, many voters are still angry and concerned. Some have said that they are afraid to vote in Harris County on Election Day. Others have said that they will vote anyway, but they will be taking extra precautions to stay safe. The Harris County Sheriff's Office has said that it will be increasing its presence at polling places on Election Day. The office has also said that it will be working with other law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of voters.

Analysis

Akin's comments are just one example of the increasing polarization in American politics. In recent years, there have been a number of incidents of violence and intimidation at polling places. This is a serious problem, and it is one that needs to be addressed. Every eligible voter must be able to vote without fear of violence or intimidation. The safety and integrity of our elections are at stake.