Quote:
Originally Posted by barbino
I am a paid election judge in my area. I think that most of the "volunteers" around the country are actually paid. Working the polls makes for a very long day (Chicago: 4:45am to approx. 10-11pm). Also, most precincts spend 2-3 hours the night before setting up. I know the rule in the county that I live in is that you have to be in line before closing. If people are in line at the time the polls are scheduled to close, we are supposed to post a judge at the end of the line. Anyone who comes after that person cannot vote.
During the primaries one of the poll watchers in my precinct was really upset with me because I did not allow two of his friends to vote- they came after the scheduled closing time. Anybody that is in the line at closing time should be allowed to vote, I believe--but as previously mentioned, each state does it dfferently. Every voter is responsible for knowing the rules in his/her own state. The election judges are there to enforce the state & county rules "by the book." There are books/manuals that govern the proper procedures for all aspects of Illinois elections. I would imagine all other states have this as well.  |
(Bold mine)
If you're old enough and mature enough to vote, you have an obligation to know the rules. Most states require that ANY change in the rules be stated for public consumption, either in the various newspapers, signs, etc. I've never been a judge of elections (I was "hatched"), but served on the Board for 12 years - I had to cancel out votes for my father or mother more than once, because people didn't know the rules. And yes, if you are in line (or at a designated spot) prior to the closing of the polls, you should be able to vote. We always put a sign on the one door (people had to go through 2 sets of doors to get to our polling place) that anyone past that door at 8pm would NOT be admitted.
Quote:
Originally Posted by barbino
As a solution, voters in Chicago are encouraged to vote on the "touch-screen" machines. You put a special card in that is given by the election judge and leave it in until you are done voting. But alot of people are still afraid to do this and want to use a paper ballot. The upside of all this is that no hanging chads are produced!!! |
We still have those. Problem is, Diebold (who makes the machine) does not guarantee accuracy!
Voting machines are unreliable and inaccurate