UPPER POTTSGROVE — A formal complaint has been filed with the Montgomery County Republican Committee (MCRC) alleging multiple incidents of hostile and inappropriate behavior by party-affiliated individuals at a local polling location during the May 19 primary election.
Julie Schneeweis, an Upper Pottsgrove resident and a registered Republican, submitted the complaint to MCRC Chair Liz Ferry, detailing what she described as “disruptive, hostile, and inappropriate conduct” at the township’s voting site in the Pottsgrove Middle School.
The complaint names Gail Yoder, a Pottstown Republican Committee member, and Mary Rose Raleigh, an Upper Pottsgrove Republican Committee member and candidate, as the primary subjects.
In this year’s primary, residents who are registered Republicans and Democrats selected their choices for their party’s committee members at the township, borough, and precinct level. This election also included Montgomery County Republicans and Democrats who will represent county residents on the state party committees.
In the Upper Pottsgrove Republican Committee election, Upper Pottsgrove Republican Committee candidate Tinamarie Gerrard, Upper Pottsgrove Committee member and candidate Dave Waldt, and Raleigh competed for the two committee positions in the township. Gerrard was the top vote-getter, securing a committee position; Waldt was second (see article here https://upperpottsgrovejournal.com/tinamarie-wins/ )
On Election Day, Julie Schneeweis assisted Gerrard in greeting voters. Raleigh worked with Waldt and former Republican Committee member Cathy Paretti. Waldt, who is also the Area 2 Republican leader, appointed Raleigh to the committee after Paretti resigned following the Republican defeat in the local commissioner race last year.
According to the complaint, tensions escalated after extreme heat prompted some poll workers from both parties to move inside the middle school, yet maintaining the legally required distance from voting operations. Schneeweis and Gerrard worked inside while Raleigh, Waldt, and Paretti worked outside. The Democratic team was inside.
Schneeweis states that while she and Gerrard were working inside the building, Yoder came in and “immediately began loudly and aggressively confronting” Gerrard, questioning her presence inside the middle school despite the authorization granted by election officials. When Schneeweis attempted to clarify the situation, she claims Yoder’s tone intensified and included a remark suggesting that even if Gerrard won, she would ultimately “be working for her.”
The complaint characterizes Yoder’s conduct as “unprovoked” and “disruptive,” raising questions about her presence at a polling location outside her home municipality. What is troubling to both Schneeweis and Gerrard is that Yoder is not an Upper Pottsgrove resident and is a Republican Committee member for Pottstown. “Why is she even over in Upper Pottsgrove to begin with?” they asked.
The filing also accuses Raleigh of engaging in a pattern of antagonistic behavior throughout the day as well. Gerrard relayed that voters told her that Raleigh made repeated disparaging remarks about her, including claims that the candidate was unqualified and inexperienced.
In one instance cited in the complaint, a voter told Gerrard that Raleigh discouraged them from supporting her, stating she “didn’t know what she was doing” as a first-time candidate.
Schneeweis further said that attempts to de-escalate the situation were unsuccessful, describing Raleigh as “confrontational and unwilling to engage constructively.”
The complaint concludes by calling for a formal review under the MCRC’s bylaws, arguing that the actions undermined the decorum expected at polling places and contributed to a tense and divisive environment.
“Their actions contributed to disruption, intimidation, and the targeted disparagement of a fellow Republican candidate at a polling site,” the complaint states.
As of now, officials with the Montgomery County Republican Committee have not publicly commented on the allegations or indicated whether a formal investigation has been initiated. This reporter reached out to Ms. Yoder for comment but has not gotten a response.