Austin, Texas — Fanny Friedrikbergeren has been working the polls in Williamson County, Texas since the election of 1980. She’s seen a lot of elections. This year, however, is the first year that she’s been concerned that the election might not happen. Large crowds of people have begun to form outside her polling place, and she fears this could interfere with the voting process.

"I don’t understand it," Fanny told us. "They don’t have any signs. If they were protesters, you’d think they would be shouting and holding up signs."

Friedrikbergeren is not alone. In cities across the state, polling locations are being assaulted by these mysterious crowds, and party officials fear that the outcome of the election could be in question if the crowds interfere with the voting process.

"It’s clear that the Republican party has gotten desperate and is using these crowds to disrupt the election," said the Democratic Party Coordinator for Travis County.

"It’s that Internet thing," said County Coordinator for the Republican Party in Williamson County. "The Democrats have apparently used it to incite some kind of protest."

Fanny worked tirelessly to get the crowds to disperse. "Move on you people. There’s voting going on here today," she said in the loudest tone her 83 year old voice could muster. The gathering wouldn’t budge.

This reporter was unable to locate a leader at any of the polling locations we visited. No one we interviewed claimed to belong to any one organization. Several members of the crowd did attempt to show us their voter registration cards, and requested to use the machines inside.

"Naturally, we’re afraid that the machines may be damaged if used," said the Travis County Commissioner. "Some of these voting machines are 15 years old. There’s no telling what might happen if people start using them."

Whatever the intent of these crowds, it is clear that the American voting process is under assault, and could be completely changed for this election and elections to come.