CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla — The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office says a man was turned away from the polls because he was not wearing a mask.
Investigators say CCSO responded to a disturbance call at the Mid-County Regional Library on Monday.
The Clerk of Election told the deputy she wanted 28-year-old Brandon Shifflett removed from the area because he was not following the rules and wearing a mask while voting.
The Clerk told the deputy she offered Shifflett a mask because he did not have his own, and he refused to wear one.
Shifflett told CCSO he was there to vote and did not want to put on a mask.
He also told the deputy he refused the mask the clerk tried to give him because they touched it, and it was contaminated.
Investigators say he was offered an alternative way to vote.
They say he would go outside, and a ballot would be given to him to complete, and then a poll worker would submit it for him.
Investigators say he denied that option because he did not trust anyone to do that.
CCSO says Shifflett believes his right to vote was taken away from him because he refused to wear a mask.
Shifflett complied and left the voting area and building as requested.
He was told he could come back the next day to vote if he wears a mask.
