A Texas poll worker was reportedly stood down Tuesday and could face criminal charges after she confronted a voter over an irregularity in her registration and hurled racist remarks at her during the heated exchange.
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Rolanda Anthony, the voter, alleges that Juanita Barnes, a Harris County election official in North Houston, intervened when Anthony was questioned over her address by another poll worker, despite her details in the system matching that on her ID, according to the Houston Chronicle.
“Maybe if I put my blackface makeup on, you could comprehend what I’m saying to you,” Barnes, who is white, told Anthony, who is black, when Anthony pushed back. Multiple witnesses confirmed to the Chronicle that is what Barnes said.
Anthony informed Edith Randle, the election judge overseeing the Iglesia Bautista Libre polling station, that she was going to report the incident to police. Barnes then allegedly bumped Anthony with her shoulder.
“If you call the police, they’re going to take you to jail and do something to you because I’m white,” Barnes said.
Anthony was required to fill out a residency verification form. Randle told the Chronicle the address discrepancy could have been a computer glitch.
Anthony has filed assault charges against Barnes through the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, NBC News reported. The matter is being considered by the Harris County District Attorney.
[Also read: ‘Jesus don’t like ugly’: Oprah responds to racist robocall in Georgia]
