Police Officer With Gun is Denied Voting Right

185 Comments

BANGOR — A Bangor police officer says he wasn’t allowed to cast his ballot when an election warden refused to let him vote while wearing his service revolver.

James Dearing said he was patrolling his beat Friday when he stopped to vote at the Bangor Civic Center. He said that’s where warden Wayne Mallar said he couldn’t vote unless he turned over his weapon.

Dearing refused, and then wrote a letter to Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap. Dunlap told the Bangor Daily News yesterday there is no state law prohibiting officers from carrying firearms while voting.

Story Update: Election Warden Dimissed!

Mallar told the paper he wouldn’t comment other than to say he has the right to make determinations about safety.

For his part, Dearing said he wants two things — for the warden to admit he made a mistake, and to cast his vote.

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canemah

over 2 years ago

136 Comments

This "warden" was obviously the mental runt of the litter. What bothers me even more than the officer/warden confrontation was the warden's comment (in officer Darden's letter) that the officer, in uniform and holstered weapon, "may influence voters". The only persons I can think of that would be unduly "influenced" would be felons, illegal voters or aliens, and dead people proxies. I'd be more concerned about an officer with an empty holster, than one with his weapon properly secured where most people assume them to be.
lydzzie

over 2 years ago

4 Comments

hahaha that letter is the best response ever.
bitonto

over 2 years ago

24 Comments

I would have pushed the guy aside and voted, what could he do? It go's to show you what's happening in this country. Personally I would have pistol whipped the jack ass.
metroscout

over 2 years ago

2 Comments

Officer Dearing,
If I found myself in this same situation, Mr. Mallar would have found himself wearing a set of hooks, cooling his heels in the back of my patrol car while I cast my vote. He was in obvious violation of the Federal Voting Rights Act not to mention State Law. It sounds to me like PC: Go pick him up!
Chernmax

over 2 years ago

210 Comments

Although I would never do it or condone it, the thought of watching the idiot flop on the ground while being tazed still makes me laugh inside!
DallasCo417

over 2 years ago

390 Comments

GOOD JOB BROTHER !! GLAD U WROTE THIS LETTER..

what an idiot that warden is.
rickkd6

over 2 years ago

230 Comments

I'll make a comment that is a little out of line. If officer Dearing went in anyway who would tough guy wayne call?
andy6117

over 2 years ago

8 Comments

Where ever you go, there is always some idiot in a position of authority, but this Idiot takes the cake.
cbarger

over 2 years ago

128 Comments

i await the response
HPBushrod

over 2 years ago

232 Comments

I'll never understand the liberal mindset. Ridiculous.
Chappellcl

over 2 years ago

28 Comments

The guy was follish for sure.
bfriskey

over 2 years ago

980 Comments

Just when you think you have heard it all
caterps

over 2 years ago

18 Comments

Well done that officer, & a powerful letter of complaint too.

The Election Warden was correctly dismissed, in my opinion.
SOARTMAR

over 2 years ago

444 Comments

You cannot fix stupid! This guy who denied an Officer his RIGHT TO VOTE violated not only the Officer's rights as a citizen, but prevented the Officer from doing his civic duty (voting). When we as Officers and Deputies violate a person’s rights, we pay a very stiff price and possibly face criminal charges. Possibly even Federal Charges! Our Agency pays a very stiff price as well in the lawsuit that inevitably follows. I feel that the “Warden”, Wayne Mallar should as a public servant face the same type of charges for violating the Officers rights! Officer Dearing handled the situation much better than the so-called “Warden”. I commend him on his patience and his use of COMMON-SENSE when faced with a blithering idiot on a power trip. Good Job my Brother!
JC1118

over 2 years ago

22 Comments

Congrats to Officer Dearing for following through on his right to protect his personal beliefs (ie: voting) and the public at the same time. Given the ever present and growing threat to Officers in uniform; good call with retaining the weapon and taking the politically savvy move of proving the power of the pen.

It never ceases to amaze me how many ignorant people there are out there. Glad to see the update about the dismissed power-monger wanye mallar.