[Updated x2] Questionable Campaigning by Romney Supporters Prompts Response by Sheriff at Franklin County Polling Location

Like all early voting polling places in Ohio, Franklin County has clearly marked the zone close to the entrance where no campaigning can occur. At the Morse Rd. location in Columbus, a bright yellow line circles the front door to let campaign workers and party supporters know where they must stop handing out sample ballots or displaying campaign-related signs or other materials.

Around 8:30 this morning a large moving van covered with Mitt Romney signs and conservative slogans (e.g. “DO WHAT’S RIGHT – VOTE PRO-LIFE”) allegedly parked within the no-campaigning zone and refused to leave. According to one Democrat in attendance, the owner of the van (pictured below in the red shirt) began screaming at the elections workers who asked him to move.

According to onlookers, two Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies working at the polling location were also unable to convince the Romney supporter refused to move his van.

“The elections people were being pretty patient with him,” said Chris Courtney, a voter who was in attendance from the beginning of the incident. “I heard one of the sheriffs say they were at a stand off because the person wasn’t going to move and one of the elections supervisors was calling for a tow truck. I thought they were going to arrest the gentleman.”

By the time I arrived, the Romney Supporters were setting up their table behind the yellow line.

UPDATE: Randy Ludlow at reports that the truck was not parked within the forbidden zone. We’re following up.

UPDATE: Our original report mentioned that the Sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene. After talking with the Franklin County Sheriff’s department it appears the deputies were already at the polling location when the incident occurred.