The Portage County Sheriff's Department will no longer provide security for early voting at the board of elections after remarks made by its leader.

The decision from the Portage County Board of Elections comes after Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski posted controversial comments that made some residents feel threatened or intimidated.

The board’s decision stemmed from a Sept. 13 Facebook post by Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski, who used insulting language while referring to Vice President Kamala Harris, McClatchy News reported.

Portage County Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski wrote in a follow-up post he "as the elected sheriff" has a "First Amendment right, as do all citizens."

In a statement on the Portage County Democrats' Facebook page, county board of elections chair Randi Clites said members voted 3-1 Friday to remove the sheriff's department from providing security during in-person absentee voting.