Documenting voting experiences

Election Protection reports emerging voting issues in over 80,000 calls to their 1-866-OUR-VOTE HOTLINE.

Update 7 p.m. Paris time:

On Sunday, Election Protection's hotline received over 8,000 calls from across the country.

Some key issues:

Katrina displacement: People who moved out of their damaged homes after hurricane Katrina are reporting confusion about their registration status and voting precinct to Election Protection's 866-OUR-VOTE hotline. Voting rights experts are working to resolve these questions to ensure all eligible voters from the New Orleans area can exercise their right to vote in this historic election.

Absentee voting problems are being widely reported, with particularly high rates in Virginia, Ohio and Florida. In one example, a caller from Florida had requested absentee ballots for herself and her husband, a stroke survivor unable to go to the polls. Neither ballot has arrived and if they don’t, she will be unable to vote. as she is unable to leave her husband’s side to go to the polls.

Polling place problems – such as extremely long lines – are of great concern to voters in Florida and Georgia, particularly in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, Florida and Fulton County, Georgia.

Long lines: Callers have reported six-hour wait times in Richmond, VA. A caller from Palm Beach County, FL reported waiting in line for three hours, only to be told the machines were broken. Some Georgia voters have waited up to ten hours to cast an early ballot.

Disability issues: Reports of difficulty obtaining information or voting at polling places are being received from across the country, with concentrations in Florida, Georgia and Pennsylvania. For example, a caller from Michigan - whose husband is paralyzed by multiple sclerosis - reported difficulty in obtaining concrete information on how to ensure her husband’s vote was counted.

Registration concerns still top the list of concerns of callers from battleground states.

Election day meltdown?

Record registration and long lines for early voting are causing a ripple of anxiety across the country, particularly in battleground states like Virginia. Local newspapers are warning voters to watch for things that could go wrong on Election Day. Watchdog groups are gearing up for potential legal battles.

Document your voting experience

Be prepared for long lines; along with your identification, bring a bottle of water and maybe a snack. If you're willing to document your voting experience, bring your digital camera and/or your video camera. If you see voters being turned away from the polls, talk to them and ask what happened. Report any unusual occurrences, such as vote flipping on touchscreen machines, to election officials and bipartisan election observers. Recording what happens at your local polling station helps provide evidence necessary for nationwide election reform. Submit your information to Election Protection and/or Video the Vote.

Know your rights. If a voting machine doesn't work properly, you have the right to vote via paper ballot. If the polling place is out of paper ballots, you must be allowed to vote via provisional ballot. If you are standing in line before the polling place's official hours end, you can vote. If you experience any problems when attempting to vote, telephone Election Protection at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683). Depending upon your location, you may find bipartisan election observers or lawyers on hand to assist you.

Visitors standing in line to see Casa Batllo in Barcelona, Spain. Alas, waiting in line is a universal dilemma.

Long lines for early voting

Long lines are THE story of early voting in many states. In Pima County, Arizona, 300 voters were turned away Friday, after a computer glitch shut down an early voting site. Luckily, states are taking action. Ohio has redistributed voting machines to ease lines on Election Day. Some counties in Georgia have extended their Nov. 4 voting hours to accommodate voters.

Follow election updates here and here. To search Election Protection’s voter database, go here.

More newspapers endorse Obama

For the latest newspaper endorsements for Sen. Barack Obama as president, go here.

Comments

[Jocelyn]

I waited in line for 3 and a half hours in my home town of Marietta, only to find out that I was registered in the wrong county! My own fault...but still frustrating to say the least.

[Joyce Ellen Davis]

Tomorrow is the DAY! I am so psyched I don't know what I'll do if McCain should somehow win....

[tangobaby]

I just hope it doesn't get any worse than this. At least people know and are prepared this time. I didn't realize it would take me that long to vote early. No more stolen elections!

[My Mélange]

I still can't believe that the greatest country in the world can't improve this process. I give kudos to those who will stand in line for 3 plus hours to vote!!!!!

Yes. we. can.

[GeL(Emerald Eyes)]

Fine informative and very important post.
Yes, I'll document any shenanigans. Here, we're hoping that voting hrs will be extended, too.
(Hope you enjoyed BlogHer Convention! Sure wish I could have gone to CA.)

[Becca]

We were lucky enough to be able to vote early, and easily on Friday, via "absentee ballot" at our local city hall here in Michigan. My son stood in line for 70 minutes in Naples, Florida, during early voting on Friday.

I'm glad that people are turning out in great numbers to cast their ballots.

Yes! We can!