A Latino advocacy group says some hispanic voters in Prince William County may have been intimidated by the heavy police presence at one polling site.

Jessica Forres reports...

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Two police cruisers flashing their emergency lights are parked at the entrance of Occoquan Elementary School in Woodbridge.

Gabriela Lemus is with the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. She says her group has been monitoring the site all day.

FIRST IT STARTED OFF WITH ONE SHERIFF THEN WE HAD THREE THEN THERE WERE SIX. NOW THERE ARE FOUR.

The police presence, she says, could be seen by some Latino voters as intimidating.

I THINK IT DOES KIND OF INTIMIDATE PEOPLE BECAUSE OF SORT OF THE ANTI-ATTITUDES THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND HERE. IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FOCUES ON CRIMINAL IMMIGRANTS BUT IT REFLECTS ON THE WHOLE HISPANIC COMMUNITY.

Glendell Hill, the County's Sheriff, says no more than three officers were present at the location….and they were there to direct traffic.

YOU KNOW WE WERE NOT THERE TO INTERFERE WITH VOTERS JUST TO MAKE SURE THE CITIZENS GOT IN AND OUT SAFELY.

Lemus says her group is considering filing a complaint to the State Board of Elections.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 NEWS