Holly MatkinMableton, GA – A Georgia man was arrested at a polling location in Mableton on Election Day last week after he allegedly brawled with poll workers and slapped a voter, according to police.
According to an arrest warrant, the trouble began when Jesse Hunt showed up at the polling location and insisted on recording videos of the polling machines, WAGA reported.
Hunt allegedly pulled out his cell phone and took video footage of the machines, then ignored a poll worker’s request to stop.
Investigators said the worker attempted to block the machine from his view at one point, but Hunt shoved her hand away, WAGA reported.
He then allegedly slapped a citizen who had come to the polling location to cast a ballot.
Hunt was ultimately arrested on multiple charges, including interference with primaries and elections and interference with poll officers, WAGA reported.
The suspect’s motive for wanting to video record the polling machines was not immediately released.
The incident occurred as local citizens voted to make the unincorporated community of Mableton into Georgia’s newest city, WANF reported.
The issue of Mableton’s cityhood was a hotly-contested item on this year’s ballot, involving not only the 40,000 residents currently living in Mableton, but also including another 38,000 residents living in the unincorporated areas of Smyrna and Austell.
Approximately 54 percent of Cobb County voters ultimately opted to make the 78,000-member community into the state’s newest city, WXIA reported.
“Congratulations to the proponents of the City of Mableton and to all Cobb candidates that won their elections,” Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said in a statement after the elections wrapped up, according to WANF. “The County stands ready to work with all of our leaders and stakeholders to ensure the best service for all of our citizens.”
