Voter assault was not intimidation says Kalamazoo police chief
A 74-year-old Kalamazoo man was dropping off his absentee ballot at a drop box on Stockbridge Ave. on Tuesday when, out of nowhere, a woman attacked him. The man is recovering from minor injuries.
Some people have questioned whether the attack was an instance of voter intimidation and whether other voters should be worried.
That’s not the case, according to Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief Vernon Coakley. He told reporters on Wednesday that the attack was an “isolated incident” and urged voters not to worry about voting – in person or absentee.
“This incident was a young lady in our community who was suffering from mental illness,” said Coakley. The woman was detained and taken to a hospital for treatment.
Coakley and other city and county leaders are assuring voters that next Tuesday’s election will be peaceful and any intimidation will be handled swiftly.
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