CHICAGO (CBS) — A man has been accused of punching an election judge at an Orland Park polling place after refusing to wait in line for early voting Sunday morning.
Daniel Schmidt, 24, has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a victim over 60, two counts of aggravated battery in a public place, five counts of resisting arrest and one count of disorderly conduct.
Police said officers responded to the Orland Park Township Office at 14807 Ravinia Ave. around 11 a.m. for a call of a man causing a disruption on a voting line.
Officers learned that Schmidt had tried to break the early voting line, and when an election judge told him he had to go to the back of the line and wait his turn, he refused. Another election judge was called in to help, but Schmidt again refused to go to the back of the line and began shouting profanities.
Police and Cook County prosecutors say Schmidt shoved a 74-year-old election judge and punched him in the face. He also hit an 81-year-old woman and knocked her off balance.
After Schmidt attacked the two election judges, several other people came over to restrain him until police arrived. Police and prosecutors said Schmidt also resisted arrest.
Schmidt was scheduled to make his first court appearance Monday at the Bridgeview courthouse.
