Philadelphia on watch for voter intimidation in crucial swing state of Pennsylvania

It’s election day in Philadelphia and the streets outside the downtown Pennsylvania convention centre are quiet. That is good news for Jonathan Leibovic and Paula Meninato, two volunteers who are out watching for any signs of trouble.

“There have been many instances and threats of violence and intimidation at the polls, and we want to make sure everybody gets their chance to exercise their right to vote,” says Leibovic.

That the pair feel they are needed is an indication of the stakes here in Philadelphia. The state of Pennsylvania is the most likely tipping point in this year’s election, and its largest city will play a key role.

Donald Trump has made repeated, unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud in the city — which votes heavily Democratic — famously declaring during the presidential debates that “bad things happen in Philadelphia” and urging his supporters to “go into the polls and watch very carefully”