‘We’re Americans and we have to work together’: Voters speak out on political violence

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lincoln voters are nervous about what could happen when they enter the polls in less than two months.

“Even over the past 10 years, everything has just escalated so much just past even politicalness,” said one Lincoln voter. “It’s just very worrisome.”

Another voter said she’s mailing in her ballot this year due to the current political climate.

Steve Smith is the communications director for Civic Nebraska. He said Trump’s second assassination attempt was a product of the current political divide in America.

“We can’t control what happened on Sunday any longer. That’s in the past,” he said. “All we can do is look forward and pledge to one another that we aren’t going to go down this dark road.”

Smith said the nonprofit will send polling place conduct reminders to voters in hopes to ease tensions and limit the potential for political violence.

“Folks showing up to the polls wearing a t-shirt of their favorite candidate or issues,” he said, “Those things can trigger conflict and trigger, well, political violence.”

Voter Nicholas Montemarano wants the violence to stay out of Lincoln.

“Here in Lincoln, Nebraska, it’s not going to be as big of an issue, but I can definitely see riots or crazy things happening in other places. Hopefully not here, but it’s still worrying for sure,” he said.

Smith said to end the political tension, voters need to look at the bigger picture.

“On Nov 6th, 7th,8th and on after that, we’re Americans. We’re not Democrats, Republicans, and independents. We’re Americans and we have to work together.”

If people don’t want to vote in person on election day, early in-person voting begins at the Election Commissioner’s office on October 7.

The election commissioner, Todd Wiltgen said poll staff will work with the Lincoln Police Department on Election Day to ensure voters’ safety.