KSL INVESTIGATES

Gephardt: Where Do Utah’s AG Candidates Stand On President’s Call For Supporters To Watch Polls?

Oct 6, 2020, 11:08 PM | Updated: 11:33 pm

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – President Donald Trump is facing some backlash after calling for his supporters to go to the polls and watch closely. Critics said it could lead to voter intimidation, which is against the law. So what do the people vying for the job of Utah’s attorney general have to say about the president’s remarks?

The president’s call-to-action came a week ago, during the first presidential debate. Watch, he said, for voter fraud.

“I’m urging my supporters to go into the polls and watch very carefully because that’s what has to happen,” Trump said. “I am urging them to do it.”

U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden participate in the first presidential debate moderated by Fox News anchor Chris Wallace (C) at the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University on September 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Those remarks were met with harsh criticism from some politicos who fear some supporters of Trump may “watch” in ways that cause voter intimidation – such as how armed militias have been showing up to “watch” protests.

It could scare people away from voting.

In response to the president’s call-to-action, Nevada’s attorney general tweeted“Voter intimidation is illegal in Nevada. Believe me when I say it: You do it, and you will be prosecuted.” 

Voter intimidation is also illegal here in Utah, so the KSL Investigators wanted to ask the Utah Attorney General about his feelings on the subject. 

Sean Reyes initially declined to make time to talk to us, but when we learned he was making time to accept an award this afternoon, we decided to attend the event.

The award Reyes received came from the Daughters of the American Revolution, their Distinguished Citizen Medal in recognition of his work against human trafficking.

The ceremony lasted about an hour, then he spent another half-hour posing for pictures and swapping stories. Then he found time to talk to us.

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes. (KSL-TV)

“I didn’t hear our president call for any voter intimidation,” Reyes asserted.

He said fair and honest elections are a cornerstone of our country, and he said people who feel intimidated at the polls should report it to the Lieutenant Governor’s office.

“It is my commitment to look at anything that’s referred to us and if they have merit, investigate them and potentially prosecute them,” Reyes explained.

We had follow-up questions, but he walked away.

“People should be able to just go to a place to vote,” said Greg Skordas, Reyes’ opponent for Utah Attorney General.

Skordas agreed to an interview to discuss Trump’s comments.

Democratic nominee for Utah Attorney General Greg Skordas. (KSL-TV)

When we asked if he thought the president was trying to incite intimidation, Skordas responded, “No question.”

He said voter intimidation can come in lots of forms — from a guy with a gun at the polls to your boss pressuring you to vote a certain way.

And if he’s elected?

“It’s a law that is prosecutable as a crime and it’s something that the attorney general absolutely has the right and power to investigate and yes, that’s something we would investigate,” Skordas said.

According to the Lt. Governor’s Office, which oversees elections, in-person voting is not as common in Utah as vote-by-mail, which has been the more popular balloting option here for several years.

KSL 5 TV Live

KSL Investigates

Matt Gephardt meeting with Denis Hawkins after a rental car company after they ignored his calls fo...

Matt Gephardt

Get Gephardt helps Spanish Fork man clear up insurance claim for rental car damage

Get Gephardt clears up an international rental car insurance standstill.

7 hours ago

FILE - An airplane flies through the clouds in Salt Lake City. (Jeffrey D. Allred / Deseret News)...

Matt Gephardt

How recent airline incidents are changing habits and impacting airfare costs

After a year of headlines lamenting runway incursions and midair close calls, the wheels may be coming off for the airline industry. Literally.

1 day ago

Josh Kochevar died unexpectedly last month. The unhappy task of writing the obituary fell to his ol...

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage

How scammers are using counterfeit obituaries to profit off deaths of loved ones

You have probably heard of stories where an empty home was burglarized while everyone was attending a funeral service. Or stories about thieves breaking into cars parked at a funeral. Now, artificial intelligence has opened a new way for crooks to capitalize on grief.

2 days ago

A person scanning a recently generated QR code....

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage, KSL TV

How to protect yourself from fake QR codes scammers use to steal money and info

Here's what you need to know about QR codes and protecting yourself from scammers.

6 days ago

General view outside of the Delta Center ahead of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on March 19,...

Matt Gephardt

NCAA Tournament basketball is coming to Salt Lake and so are the ticket scams

As March Madness excitement ramps up, so do the odds of buying pricey tickets to tournament games that turn out to be fakes or non-existent.

7 days ago

About a year ago, the KSL Investigators went under the hood of some "connected" smart cars to see w...

Matt Gephardt

Internet-connected cars may share driver info with insurance companies, what it means for premiums

some internet-connected vehicles are sharing our driving habits with our insurance companies

8 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Gephardt: Where Do Utah’s AG Candidates Stand On President’s Call For Supporters To Watch Polls?