Illinois man arrested for punching election judge, causing disturbance at polls: police

An Illinois man has been arrested after allegedly causing a disturbance in a voting line and punching an election judge, according to police.

Daniel Schmidt, 24, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery to a victim over 60, two counts of aggravated battery in a public place, five misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

The said officers were dispatched to the Orland Park Township Office on Nov. 3 due to a man "causing a disturbance in the voting line."

Once on the scene, officers reported they learned Schmidt entered the building and walked past numerous other voters waiting in line before an election judge posted at the entrance told him to go to the back of the line and wait his turn.

When Schmidt refused, officers said another election judge was asked to help and once again told Schmidt to go to the back of the line.

"Schmidt attempted to push past that election judge and was prevented from entering by that judge and several other employees," a release stated. "Schmidt began to yell profanities and punched the election judge in the face, knocking their glasses off. At that point, several other patrons jumped in and restrained Schmidt until officers arrived."

Officers added Schmidt resisted being placed under arrest.

He was held overnight and transported to Bridgeview Courthouse for a detention hearing.