An Illinois polling station erupted in chaos after a 24-year-old man allegedly pushed his way to the front of the voting line and punched an election judge who told him to wait his turn. Daniel Schmidt, from Orland Park, Illinois, faces multiple charges following the violent altercation on Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Orland Park Township Office.
reported that Schmidt was charged with two counts of aggravated battery against a victim over 60 years of age, two counts of aggravated battery in a public place, five counts of resisting arrest, and one count of disorderly conduct. All charges stem from the incident that disrupted an otherwise orderly voting process at the township building.
According to police, the events unfolded around 11 a.m. when Schmidt entered the building and bypassed a line of voters waiting to cast their ballots. An election judge stationed at the entrance informed Schmidt that he needed to go to the end of the line and wait his turn. When Schmidt refused, a second election judge approached to assist and reiterated the instruction, but Schmidt allegedly ignored the warning and tried to push past the judge.
In response, the election judge and several other employees attempted to restrain Schmidt. Witnesses report that Schmidt began yelling profanities at the election staff before allegedly delivering a punch to the second judge, which knocked the judge’s glasses off. Bystanders quickly intervened, helping to hold Schmidt until law enforcement arrived.
Orland Park police officers arrived shortly after and found Schmidt being held down by several people inside the building. When officers tried to take Schmidt into custody, he reportedly resisted, adding to the list of charges against him. Police ultimately managed to secure him in handcuffs.
Schmidt now faces serious charges, including two counts of aggravated battery to a person over 60 years old and two counts of aggravated battery in a public place. Both aggravated battery charges are classified as felonies. In addition, he faces five counts of resisting arrest and one count of disorderly conduct, which are misdemeanors.
The altercation caused significant disruption to the polling site, with other voters expressing shock over the incident. Authorities have not disclosed any information on the motivations behind Schmidt’s behavior. However, the charges underscore the serious nature of the incident, particularly with the added factor of the election judge’s age.
The Village of Orland Police Department emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful atmosphere at polling locations. This incident highlights growing concerns about tension at voting sites, with officials urging all citizens to observe patience and respect for election protocols.
In the wake of the disturbance, the Orland Park Township Office has reportedly reviewed its security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. As Schmidt faces legal proceedings, the local community and election officials alike are left reflecting on the importance of safety and order in exercising the right to vote.