Alleged Voter Harassment and Intimidation Incident Raises Concerns in Whittier

Whittier, California - Following the recent municipal elections in Whittier, reports of alleged voter harassment and intimidation have surfaced, prompting concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. Whittier 360 News Network received a message from Maggie Moe, an unsuccessful city council candidate, who claimed that voters were subjected to intimidation near polling places. Moe submitted two videos as evidence, one of which featured a young woman expressing that she felt intimidated by individuals engaged in electioneering at a public park that also served as a polling location.

However, upon review, professionals with investigative backgrounds raised questions about the delivery of the young woman’s statement, noting that it appeared unusually composed and possibly rehearsed. While this does not imply wrongdoing or fabrication, it may suggest that her comments were the result of coaching, misinterpretation, or an overreaction to assertive—yet legal—political activity. At this time, there is insufficient evidence to reach any definitive conclusion.

Further analysis of the video indicated that the activities depicted did not clearly constitute unlawful behavior. While electioneering near polling places is regulated under state law, it remains a constitutionally protected form of political expression. Additionally, the precise distance between the incident and the polling site was not clearly established, leaving its legal status uncertain.

Upon contacting the Whittier City Clerk’s Office for clarification, City Clerk Rigo Garcia emphasized the importance of reporting any instances of intimidation or electioneering to the appropriate authorities. Garcia also confirmed that the individual in the video was registered and did vote in the election. However, it is important to underscore that allegations of voter harassment require clear, substantiated evidence.

In addition to the account captured in the first video, Moe submitted a second video alleging voter intimidation. However, upon review, it was unclear whether the activities in that footage occurred near a polling place or whether the individuals shown were simply encouraging voter participation without promoting any specific candidate.

Furthermore, attempts to implicate supporters of other candidates in electioneering activities were refuted, as distributing campaign flyers is well within the bounds of legal political expression. Accusations were made against Whittier mayoral candidate Rolando Cano that were quickly and easily refuted as we found them to be false.

Accusation were also made against Mary Ann Pacheco alleging her campaign illegally stole ballots and filled them out to get her election. Those allegations are 100% false. Whittier 360 was the first news outlet to report that Pacheco had won the election and we did so on election night based on turnout and the number of early ballots that had been cast. While the turnout was unacceptably low and the community urgently needs to address the issue, we firmly stand by our call that Pacheco won the election fair square under the rules currently in place for elections in Whittier given the difficulty that all of the candidates in Whittier faced with the extremely low turnout, especially in District 1's precinct 12. Whittier 360 News Network also stands firmly by its decision to call the election for Pacheco on election night.

Whittier 360 News Network acknowledges the seriousness of these allegations but asserts the need for thorough investigation before drawing conclusions. While the network will continue to pursue the matter diligently, it is essential to await more definitive evidence before making conclusive statements regarding voter fraud or intimidation.

As City Clerk Garcia advised, any individual who believes they have been harassed or threatened for voting or their voting choices should report the incident to the authorities promptly, even if some time has elapsed since the occurrence.

In the spirit of responsible journalism, it is imperative for all news organizations to uphold the principles of truthfulness and integrity in their reporting. While allegations of voter harassment warrant serious attention, conclusive evidence is necessary to substantiate claims and ensure the accuracy of reporting. Whittier 360 News Network remains committed to delivering accurate and transparent coverage of this evolving situation. Editor's Note: The article has been updated to reflect clarifications and editorial improvements made in the interest of accuracy and fairness.