While every street corner, establishment window and bus stop during election season is filled with political ads and “vote for me” reminders, voters expect their polling place and the 100 feet around it to be devoid of partisan politics. But at several Bronx polling locations, voters told the Bronx Times that city-appointed poll workers either tried to influence their vote for a particular candidate or created a hostile and partisan environment.
In one instance, poll worker John E. McCarthy — who was stationed at PS 94 Kings College School in Norwood — is alleged to have called Progressive Senator Gustavo Rivera a “baby killer” around 9:30 a.m., two voters at the precinct confirmed with the Bronx Times. David Guirgis, a spokesperson for Rivera’s campaign, told the Times that they filed a complaint with the New York City Board of Elections (BOE), which resulted in McCarthy’s firing.
