Went to vote today and had to educate the poll worker too

[Sydnie]

I was in line waiting to check in. The man in line before me was having a conversation with the poll worker about his registration and selection of a ballot for today's primary. The problem was, he is a registered Libertarian. The poll worker asked him to select a ballot, even though he questioned whether he could legally vote in today's election. He selected his ballot and headed for the booth to cast his votes. I quietly told the poll worker that he was not eligible to vote today as there was no Libertarian ballot for him to make his selections on. no Libertarian candidate in the race at all, and he was not registered as un-enrolled (Mass's version of Independent for primary election purposes). She then called the asst precinct chief over to ask if they could vote. The asst chief didn't know. They then called the chief over who looked a bit pale and she said, "Oh No, he can't vote today. Where is he?" At that point they went to get him from the booth and cancel his ballot.

Now, why didn't this poll worker already know this? Granted, it is Mass and most here are registered dems, but still, one would think that they would be trained to do more than place a check by someone's name in a book, wouldn't you?

I got my ballot and cast my vote. Once I had checked out and submitted my ballot, the poll worker asked me to step over for a minute. She asked me to explain to her why he couldn't vote today because she still didn't understand why he couldn't just select a ballot and vote. I gently explained again and reminded her that had he been allowed to cast a ballot, that they would have committed voter fraud as he was not eligible to vote due to his choice of party at registration. She asked me because, as she said, my reputation as far as election laws and procedures are well known in town and she thanked me for sharing my knowledge with her and patted me on the back for catching the mistake in the first place.

It just amazes me what they don't teach the people who are running our polls anymore. I am glad I was there this time, but what about next time? :shrug:

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Good catch.

That one seems to be an easy one to catch. There were things that I was confused about when I was a poll worker and I'll tell you what the problem is. When they train poll workers, each job is specialized, so they only train you for what exactly you're suppose to do. That's a mistake because it means that you can't really monitor someone else's job and determine if what they're doing is improper.

[bdamomma]

2. anyone who has spare time should infiltrate these polling

places to help those people who need some help, nothing like seeing what is happening behind the scenes!!

[Finder]

3. Strange, didn't they have a checklist? n/t

[Sydnie]

5. They did have a check list of registered voters names and

their party affiliation. The man even questioned the poll worker about his eligibility and discussed the fact that he was a registered Libertarian. She just put a check by his name and then marked a "D" next to that check to indicate that he had taken a democratic ballot.

Then, they told him to go to town hall and change his registration today so he could vote, which is also incorrect. We have a deadline for registration in this state and there is no party switching after that date. The misinformation they were handing out was astounding.

[Finder]

7. Yes, I was a poll worker in Mass years ago...

but voters could switch(choose any ballot) at the primaries on election day. When did this change?

[Sydnie]

8. You can't choose another party's ballot on a primary

I have never heard of anyone doing that or being allowed to do that. Only Un-enrolled registered voters can select a ballot of their choice on a primary election. Once you select a party when registering, that's the ballot you legally are allowed to cast in a primary.

[Finder]

9. Project Vote Smart info...

Voter Registration Information for Massachusetts

PRIMARY ELECTION DATE--SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
GENERAL ELECTION DATE--NOVEMBER 7, 2006

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Must register to vote 20 days before the election.
Can change party affiliation 20 days before the election or select party
affiliation at the polls.



I am not disputing you, just curious. The wording above may mean only independents/undeclared can select a party.

[Sydnie]

10. That's exactly what it means

When you register, you may choose to become a member of a political party, select a designation for a political organization that has not achieved party status in the state, or choose to become an "unenrolled" voter (commonly referred to as "independent"). Remember that if you register in a party, in a primary election you will only receive a ballot for that party. Unenrolled voters may request any ballot in a primary election.

I found that at a site for Amherst, MA. Although I am not located in Amherst, the law is the same all over the state.

edited to add the link - http://www.amherstma.gov/voter_information.asp

[Sydnie]

13. You made me question my information so

I placed a call right to the town clerk. It seems he was on the phone right at that moment, confirming with the Elections Division what I had told the poll workers a little over an hour ago. He laughed when he heard it was me on the phone and that it was also me that had questioned his ballot. It didn't surprise him at all.

To my surprise, he told me to come in and apply to work the polls for November. He said he needed people who could respond because they knew the laws. :rofl:

It still amazes me.

[Finder]

15. The elections need people like you...

I hope you take up the offer.

I wasn't trying to question you, I just remember the rules as being different when I was a poll worker years ago.

[havocmom]

4. Personal experience: they need poll workers

They are required by law to hold a class to teach poll workers. A class, not a series of classes, A CLASS- ONE. If they have people willing to work the polls on election day, but they can't make the class, it gets signed off as having been attended anyway. They need warm bodies.

And going to the class in no guarantee people listen, learn, do it right.

I had to really work hard at not physically attacking a couple of people who couldn't leave their partisan and very hateful remarks unsaid as we counted votes. I did manage to calmly comment that if a registered DEM like myself were to say those things about GOP candidates and the people who voted for them, I would be accused of all sorts of things, not the least of which being partisan at a function where we should ALL come together, despite our differences, and be Americans first and foremost.

All but one of the smart asses settled down. The one who kept up the hate talk was the supervisor.

Want polling places to work better and vote counting to be more trustworthy? Sign up to work the elections. We need more new blood in there to watch the entrenched groups that sorta control things. Think globally- ACT LOCALLY and start with where you vote!

[Sydnie]

6. I have been too well known in town for my political activities

and I don't think they would easily allow me to participate. I have, in the past, been a poll checker for different candidates and been there for many hours observing the process as well as double checking the registration lists for phone calls to be placed by the candidate if their known supporters are not showing up to vote.

I live in a town that only has 10,000 people total. Small towns are the worst for "good old boy" networks. As it is, I am known as a rabble rouser already! :rofl:

[havocmom]

11. LOL I am one of 5 registered DEMs in my whole county

Think I lack notoriety? ;)

[Sydnie]

14. I feel like you most of the time

I am "well known" in my little town for having an opinion and freely sharing it with those that will listen (and at times with those that don't want to listen either).

I just spoke with the town clerk who told me to come in and put in an application for poll worker for November. He said he "needed me". LOL Good thing I know him so well, or I might have taken the desperation in his voice to mean something else. :rofl: ;) nudge nudge.

[OnionPatch]

12. That must have been hard

I would have had a very hard time sitting there with those women. But it would have been much easier if there had been a few more Dems there with you, am I right?

You make a point I wish more liberals would wake up to; WE MUST START WORKING IN THE POLLS!
We sit around moaning about the way the elections are being stolen but too many of us are leaving all the mechanics of it all to other people and guess who those "other" people are....Republicans! Probably evangelical Republicans who think they need to "save America for Jesus" and don't think twice about thwarting democracy for (what they perceive to be) that end.

You just gave me the last nudge I needed to go volunteer for working the polls. I hope it's not too late for the November election. I think we need to become poll workers IN DROVES!!!! We've got to stop letting the election thieves do their deeds in private. If they're going to steal the elections, we don't need to be making it easier for them.

[havocmom]

16. Men & women to set straight. And see my other reply about other DEMS

I'd be glad just to have more IN THE COUNTY!

bush is doing half my work for me. Lots of life-long, old-time-loyal opposition type Republicans have announced they aren't Republicans anymore, if the current administration and rubber stamp, rights violatin' Congress is what the GOP stands for now.

Glad you got my nudge ;) We need LOTS of DEM poll workers, vote counters and officials all over the nation if we are to have ANY hope of restoring America.

Allow me to tell ya about my granny, who was crippled, barely able to walk, but knew that without eyes to keep everybody honest, lots of women would be persuaded to leave polling places without exercising their newly granted, hard won right to vote.

She signed up as a polling place judge as soon as women were allowed to register to vote. She worked every election day until the day she died.

By the way, she died AT her polling place station, having checked herself out of the hospital (against doctor's advice) the day before. Had my granddad drive her down to her station first thing in the morning. He no sooner got home than a kid came running up telling him to 'come quick! Mrs. Weed has taken awful sick.' By the time he got there, three blocks, she was gone. But she died with her boots on, literally.

That frail, crippled since infancy (from a broken back), woman knew Democracy was NOT a spectator sport. She couldn't fight for liberty on a battle field, but she could roll bandages, make uniforms, and defend her fellow citizen's' right to vote in fair elections. And she damned well knew it was just as important!

If she can do her part, not many of US have any legitimate excuse not to do ours.

Call you county officials NOW. Maybe too late in some places to get to work this Nov, but do it for the next one... and the next... Don't hope somebody will fix the problems. YOU ARE SOMEBODY. We all are the somebody that needs to get on it!

And ask a blessing from old Mrs. Weed. Her spirit will smile on you.

[Sydnie]

17. havocmom

:cry: :grouphug: Thanks Mrs. Weed!



You're right. I will persue an application for poll worker tomorrow. Don't want to get in the way today, during an election.

[havocmom]

18. Tomorrow would be great. Mrs. Weed would be proud of you.

She was a fighter, she was.

LOL Hope her shade can look upon her great-granddaughter and be at peace knowing the torch is still being carried by the women of her clan:

Literally ;)


Hope Mrs. Weed watches over that young woman when 'Liberty In Chains' appears at demonstrations again. I know that young woman will be thinking of those who went before and those who come after.

We are all part of the chain. We are all the thread of liberty.