Taking Back Our Elections, One Precinct at a Time (w/poll)
by Free Spirit Mon Jul 24, 2006 at 10:57:41 AM PDT
A lot of people are worried about election fraud these days.
Me too. But I think staffing issues (number, quality, and training)
represent a bigger...and certainly a far more widespread...threat to the
integrity of our elections than Diebold. In addition, is undoubtedly easier to
commit fraud in a precinct that is understaffed and/or staffed with
marginally qualified and/or marginally trained elections workers.
First, let me clarify some terminology, as it varies from state to state.
In my state, a Precinct Official is someone who works at the polls during elections.
They are paid (nominally) for their time, but most of them are not employees
of the board of elections. It is much more like a volunteer position than a job...
no one does it for the money. Precinct Officials serve two-year terms.
They must attend a 2-hour training class each year, usually work 2-4 election
days per year (depending on how many runoff elections there are), and
help set things up at the poll the night before the election.
Precinct officials include Chief Judges, Judges, and Precinct Assistants:
Free Spirit's diary ::
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/7/24/135741/177