Swastikas Painted on Trees Near Taft Early Voting Site; Sheriff's Office Investigating, Supervisor Says
A series of swastikas was painted on trees near the Taft Community Center early voting site, Orange County Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel says — her office notified the sheriff, the symbols were reported removed quickly, no arrests have been reported, and every early voting site stayed open.
Orange County's elections office says a series of swastikas was painted on trees near one of its early voting sites, and the Orange County Sheriff's Office is investigating. Supervisor of Elections Karen Castor Dentel announced the discovery near the Taft Community Center in a news release late last week and said she immediately condemned the display. Her office notified the sheriff's office and began coordinating with Orange County government and local leaders to have the symbols removed, according to the release; FOX 35 reported the symbols were removed quickly. The release did not say how many swastikas were painted or when they were removed.
"These symbols represent a history of hatred, antisemitism, and violence. Their presence in our community is deeply disturbing and unacceptable," Castor Dentel said. "Hatred has no place in our community, and it has no place in our elections." No arrests have been reported. The elections office is working with the sheriff's office to review nearby traffic cameras and security footage, according to the release.
Voting was not interrupted. The Taft Community Center site and the county's 27 early voting locations remained open, the release said, and it reminded voters that voter intimidation is unlawful and that Florida and federal laws protect the right to vote free from threats, coercion and intimidation. Early voting ended Sunday, Nov. 1; on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, Orange County polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and voters must vote at their assigned polling location, with information at voteorangefl.gov.
