Republican convicted over Election Day refusal to wear a mask

(The Center Square) – An Island County, Wash., election observer has been convicted of a felony over his refusal to wear a mask last year when policy was established by the county auditor due to a high rate of COVID-19 among staff. 

Timothy Hazelo, former chair of the Island County Republican Party, and fellow election observer Tracy Abuhl, chose not to wear masks at a voting center in Island County during the general election on Nov. 4, 2024. 

Upon entering the facility, they were offered masks, which they refused. They were then told that they could not observe the processing of ballots if they did not wear a mask. According to court documents, Abuhl attempted to observe the counting of ballots from the hallway, but could not

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