Be Careful about Voter Fraud and Disenfranchisement - Post Tips Here
 

Greekchatters,
I have received this email from a Soror - she is a reputable Obama community organizer in Atlanta.
Please take heed because this is apparently going on around the county.
Don't fall for the okie doke.

Also, if others have tips about how we can make sure that our vote counts, please post here.

Ex: don't fall for the trick below / do not wear Obama paraphenalia to the polls, etc.

Does anyone have a number that can be called on the day of voting in case voters are being turned away at the polls? Post here.




Subject: Watch out for this!
>
>
> ITS TRUE BECAUSE THIS MORNING I OPENED ONE OF THE
> ENVELOPES. I GUESS I'LL BE CALLING SOMEBODY.......
>
> IT'S TRUE......
>
> The story is all over Progressive Talk Radio today about the McCain
> campaign sending absentee ballot applications
> to registered democrats or people that have donated to Obama's campaign.
> These ballots are deliberately
> misleading and have postage paid return addresses that are for an
> election clerk that is outside of your city or town.
> What this will end up doing is either having your vote not counted, or
> if you return one of these, they will cite you
> for election fraud, saying that you already voted absentee.
> < BR>>
> These ballots are only being sent out in 'purple states' and this is a
> big deal.. This is called voter caging,
> and is a huge problem.
>
> The McCain campaign is stealing this election as we speak. Please get
> this information out to as many people
> as you can, and tell anyone you know who has received one of these
> ballots that they need to contact their
> city election clerk or the supervisor of elections immediately.
>
> Also call the local media and let them know what is going on.
>
> The main stream media is never going to cover this so we have to depend
> on our ground campaign
> to get the word out to our voters.

Also, there is a rumor going around the internet that if you wear campaign gear to the polls, that you will be turned away. I do know that in MD that is not true, therefore I encourage everyone that votes to CHECK YOUR STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, before spreading rumors!

When a question arises or if voter schemes are suspected, call the free hotline: 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Help will be provided.

a few additional suggestions:

1) take advantage of any early voting opportunities that may be available in your state. This is a good hedge against insufficient or "malfunctioning" polling equipment on Nov. 4;

2) have on your person the telephone numbers of your State and local Boards of Election, as well as any local watchdog affiliations available to ensure voting fairness;

3) have sufficient identification with you
-any ID from the local Board of elections (particularly if you have had to re-register since you last voted)
- photo identification, as well as current proof of your current address (i.e. bills)

kinda long, but...
 

The number 1 rule when going to vote:

DO NOT LEAVE THE POLLING LOCATION WITHOUT VOTING!
If you are a registered voter you have a right to vote and as such you should not leave the polling location without doing so. If your name is not on the active voter roll then ask if your name is listed on the inactive roll. If your name still can't be found and the poll workers are not being cooperative then call the hotline to let them know the issue and call the secretary of state's office or your local board of electios. If you still cannot cast a regular ballot you are legally allowed to cast a provisional ballot. This ballot will only be counted after your registration status has been verified, but your vote still counts!
The poll workers may send police officer(s) over to "talk" to you. Do not worry and do not leave. Do not make a scene. Remain calm and place the calls that you need to (ie: the 1800 number) and wait. They will try to intimidate you. I've had it happen to me when I was helping someone to vote. They cannot kick you out. Place the calls and wait there until you get to cast a ballot, but do not leave. IF you are at the polling place before it closes then you are still allowed to vote even after the closing time. No matter what they tell you do not leave and make sure you cast a ballot!

If you have any problems call the hotline:
1-866-MYVOTE1
(1-866-698-6831).
We have lawyers who will be fielding calls and answering questions as needed as well as regular people to answer the easier questions. If you are unsure about anything then give us a call!
Also visit www.blackcampaign.com for more info!


In Georgia and many other states there have been reports of voting machine failures. If something goes wrong with the machine while you are trying to cast your ballot notify a poll worker and call the 1-800 number. If you have not cast your ballot (which means you did not get all the way through the questions on the machine to the "thank you for voting" message) or the machine messed up just as you finished let the poll workers know. They should give you another card and tell you to use another machine while they check the one you were using. If they refuse to do so follow rule one. Place necessary calls and ask to complete a provisional ballot if they still refuse to let you cast a regular ballot. They may threaten that you will be prosecuted for voter fraud, but it is not true. If you ensure that the card you were using to cast your ballot is not turned in to be counted (which you would have done by handing it to a poll worker other than the one collecting cards at the exit) then you have not voted and as such could not have committed voter fraud. Again, do not leave without voting and if all else fails cast a provisional ballot!

I can't find any verification about the absentee ballot stuff on Snopes, but I'm going to keep looking. However, the bit about 'passive electioneering' is at least partially true depending on where you live: http://www.snopes.com/politics/ballo...tioneering.asp.

Please be very careful with that - watch your t-shirts, bags, hats, pins, whatever when you go in to the polling station for anything that could be considered partisan. Something that small may slide in some districts, but it's better to be safe than sorry and get a chance to vote.

Just to be on the safe side, DONT wear anything that shows your voting preference. If you are UNSURE in anyway, most states' Board of Elections should have a sample of the ballot that will be used for any election. Visit that site and become familiar with the ballot before November 4.

I volunteered with the Committee of Seventy in the PA primaries doing voter protection. Voters are allowed to wear whatever they want in PA. Please check your state as there are a few states that will not allow you to vote if you are wearing campaign para.

In South Carolina, they told us we can not wear anything that shows our voting preference. Fine. Can you believe that they also said not to wear elephants (probably because the elephant is the Repubicans' mascot)? When one one my sorors went to a meeting the person pointed out Deltas! :eek: :eek: And there was also a news story about it.

Ummm for the lawyers out there, PM me, I have very unique situation... LOL...

I'm hearing complaints that when some people vote electronically for a Democratic ticket, McCain's name shows up. Be careful.

^^To add to that, read everything on the ballot carefully. Check and double check to make sure that your ballot accurately reflects the votes you cast.

One of the problems is that the laws related to this issue are so vague. In New York there's a law against "electioneering" within 100 feet of a poll, but it's at the police's discretion as to what electioneering consists of.

Here's the info for MD:

Source: http://www.elections.state.md.us/sum...ide/sg_11.html

An Article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/200...kIcXdC.pm_w5R4

Snopes: http://www.snopes.com/politics/ballo...tioneering.asp

ETA: Woops, I see this has already been addressed. :)

I'm just curious. Have they always been this strict about wearing hats, and shirts at the polls? I don't remember dealing with that in the past. Maybe I missed something.

Depends on who's making the determinations. This election is heated so nerves are on edge.

ttt

Absolutely! And if you have any questions or are confused about anything, ask! You have a right to ask poll workers/volunteers to explain the ballot.

And, if you are *in line* by the time the polls close, you have the right to vote.

And for the most part, be prepared to wait in lines tomorrow...bring water, a snack, anything that might make it a more comfortable wait.

A good piece of advice i heard was to buddy with the person behind and in front of you. Hold their places if they have to go to the bathroom, etc.

Be prepared to wait, dont wear your candidates shirt to the polls (or turn it inside out if you do), have ID on you, bring a book, some water, medicines if you are on them (:eek:!). If you are in line when the polls close, YOU ARE STILL ABLE TO VOTE.

If you get hassled, use your cell phone to take a pic of the person, or use the recording feature to record what they said if possible. BE SURE TO CAST A PROVISIONAL BALLOT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND YOU AREN'T ABLE TO VOTE!!! The provisional ballote DOES COUNT if all your information checks out.

Celebrate responsibly, please. We all know there are some unstable people who may become unhinged when Obama is announced the winner. :D (Or McCain, for that matter). Just be careful and celebrate in safe environments.

i would also like to remind people to go to the polls with a POSITIVE attitude. my mom is an elections judge in our county and she will be there at 5:00 AM setting up so doors can open promptly at 7. She will stay until the last person has completed their civic duty. Although glitches may occur - the poll workers are volunteers and genuinely care about the democratic process. Be nice!

Just wanted to add to use the provisional ballot as a last ditch effort ONLY if you are not able to otherwise prove that you are registered. This is because provisional ballots can be contested. So use the provisional ballot if you don't have any other choice but don't be quick to just immediately ask for it before really exploring whether they have just missed your name during their first review of the papers in front of them, etc.

SC

Not sure if this has been posted but

1866-OUR-VOTE if you run into trouble voting at the polls.

Do not leave the polls. Take this number with you and call from the polls for help.

And take a PICTURE ID, and proof of the address at which you are registered to vote (i.e., utility bill in your name, if you have one). Some states don't require this, but many require a PICTURE ID (or proof of address if you are a first-time voter).

I thanked the poll workers at my location.

re: provisional ballots. I meant that if there was some issue, for voters to NOT leave without casting a provisional ballot. Not to just go and fill one out because the person took too long to find your name. :P

While waiting for a late breaking story, I found this story on Slate.com about problems all over the country:
The presidential election is coming to a close in the time-honored way—with widespread anxiety about voter fraud, voter suppression, mechanical glitches, and long lines at the polls. Here at Slate,we're keeping track of the outrages unfolding nationwide. Check this page often for the latest news.
http://www.slate.com/id/2203665/