Update: A reader writes in: "When identities cannot be verified, for whatever reason, voters can cast provisional ballots. Requiring a government issued ID is a hotly debated issue and requiring identification not required by statute will be problematic. You might consider updating your post to let your readers know about provisional ballots and when ID is required (first-time voters who registered by mail)." Click here for more information.
OK, then the cast of clowns working the voting at the Miriam need to know this. I showed the lady mine this morning and she looked away and said they couldn't look at ID's - just wanted my name.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I need to call the BOE on them - for the second time?
And a poll watcher trying to look at my ballot as I put in the machine that tally's the results - not cool.
I'm early voting at Truman next time. I've had enough of the folks at this particular polling place.
The news might not have been relayed to all precincts. Shock. =)
ReplyDeleteLet's all play on the safe side and bring ID with us so there can be no question.
Is it legal for a poll-watcher to challenge one's right to vote based on not receiving a candidate's mail? I went to vote at St. Augustine's this morning and the poll-watcher had a huge list of names, of which mine was one. He challenged me because "She didn't receive our mail; returned to sender." I'm guessing the guy was with Phelan, as I received fliers from Cappleman and the only mail I received from her over the course of the campaign was either 1) addressed to my boyfriend at the same address or 2) deposited in our apartment building's foyer without address or postage.
ReplyDeleteI called the Board of Elections to ask, and all the woman on the other end of the line could tell me was that it's legal to challenge someone's residency.
Moral of the story, I guess: bring a piece of mail as well as your ID! If I hadn't scrounged up a letter a friend sent me, I wouldn't have had time to run back to my apartment, find some mail, run back and vote.
And a poll watcher trying to look at my ballot as I put in the machine that tally's the results - not cool.
ReplyDeleteWho is the person who "helps" you get it into the machine? Is that person an election judge? That person can completely see who you voted for as well as the person sitting ever-so-close to the machine. I swear, those voting sleeves are like hospital gowns. They only make you feel as if your privates are covered!
The whole thing is intimidating, especially after you've just announced to the whole room who you are and sometimes had a conversation about where you live.
Its time for Chicago to do touch-screen voting. I have voted in other states and have never felt so "observed" as I do in Chicago elections.
azazelea, did you get to vote? That's my polling station too and I am hitting it after work tonight.
ReplyDeleteazazelea,
ReplyDeleteThey can "challenge" you all they want. If you have ID that confirms your registered address they need to step aside. Anyone could say they sent you mail and it was returned. Even if it was, who cares what does that prove? You are a registered voter, and have ID to support who you are and where you live. I would tell them to back off and demand to vote right NOW!
Yep, I voted. My ID has my former address even though I'm registered to vote here, so I needed the piece of mail to prove I actually live where I do. I think I was just shaken up by the intimidation of a guy sitting there with a list of names solemnly shaking his head at me. Guess it's time to change the address on the old license, though.
ReplyDeleteSassy,
ReplyDeleteThey had touch-screen voting during early voting at Truman.
Sassy, for regular voting and early voting I've always had the option of using a touch screen (Buena park and 69 W. Washington respectively). Maybe ask the BOE to have it at your particular location next time?
ReplyDeleteGreat, so if there is a lot of provisional ballots, this thing is going to draw out even longer.... G-R-E-A-T.....
ReplyDeleteWhat, now touch screen voting is better than scantron? Not so much for me...
ReplyDeleteWhere I voted my signatute looked different then what it showed on my records. I was asked to show a ID which I showed and they said it looked different then my drivers license also. I signed my name 2 times for them and they finally said it matched. These workers where very old and could not even see the list of names in front of them. I wish they would get qualified workers to run the pools.
ReplyDeleteI voted at Stockton this afternoon. No issues at all. I was very surprised.
ReplyDeleteNo problems so far in Precinct 1 (Imperial Towers) - we're all getting along just fine. Turnout is now at about 1:30 pm up to about 28% of registered voters here, including early votes
ReplyDelete- Note if your name does not appear on the voter rolls at your precinct, but you have a valid ID indicating you reside there - you CAN cast a provisional ballot that SHOULD be counted.
I'm I glad I moved out of the ward. You guys are in trouble! It appears that both canidates have taken a page out the the Shiller playbook. By sides have employed the local gangbangers to hand out campaign fliers. The CVL's looked like they were holding a gang meeting at Uplift H.S. while electioneering for Phelan. I guess on a postive note, she is helping employee the local youth.
ReplyDelete@ Eastwood Towers (just north of McDonalds), voter turnout was up from the previous election.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the person who you hand your vote to that then feeds it through the scan machine DOES NOT SEE your frickin' vote. There's a cardboard folder it goes in that has the top sticking out so they can feed it into the machine.
Let's not think we're safe from voting machine tampering just because we're in a Democratic Party city.
Also didn't need my ID.
ReplyDeletePoll watchers have NO power. ZERO. They do not decide anything - they are merely observers. If anyone - judge of poll watcher - challenges your right to vote CALL THE STATES ATTORNEY. This is not a minor issue.
ReplyDeleteDo not let them prevent you from voting - with or without an ID.
If you live in the ward there is no question YOU HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO VOTE. The law is on your side.
I think more importantly for the well-informed readers of this blog... don't let SOMEONE ELSE get turned around at the polls.
ReplyDeleteI was going to help a woman vote last election day but realized she was drunk and it was ten minutes before polls closed and decided not to.
I hope the door didn't hit you in the a** on the way out, Mark.
ReplyDeleteWas that necessary?
At Stockton, I fed my own ballot through the scanner. Was I not supposed to do that? Also, the woman at the desk did not seem very interested in looking at my ID.
ReplyDeleteHey Pirate. Is that you on the Driver's License. I just knew you were a related to me.
ReplyDeleteToto,
ReplyDeletethe nasty judge won't let me have a driver's license.
That and having an eyepatch makes passing the eye test more difficult.
Sassy: My thoughts exactly. Good riddance, Mark.
ReplyDelete