For a little background, even though I have been a political junkie as long as I can remember I didn't really get involved until 2004. I participated in a very limited capacity in a House race in Washington state. More importantly I worked as a poll worker for the first time. 2004 was coming off the heels of the debacle that was the 2000 Presidential election and the passing of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). I decided to be a part of the process to help ensure the validity of the process even if it was in my own little way.
It was a truly great experience for me on many levels. It was the 2004 Primary in Washington State which for the first time in 50 years voters could not vote on an open party ballot for the primary. There were a couple of local issues that drove turnout for the election and as a result it was a busy day with a great turnout.
I had the good fortune of being the polling place supervisor of a local polling place working with 6 or 7 other workers. As the supervisor I was responsible for keeping things running as smoothly as possible and dealing with any issues or complications. The state of Washington has an open approach to Provisional balloting. The state tries hard to ensure everyone that attempts to vote gets to vote and tries hard to ensure every legitimate vote is counted. I will give a shout out to the Secretary of State Sam Reed he is a Republican that seems to truly work for the best interest of Washington voters. This has caused himself some trouble with the state Republican party but he seems to have held true and strong. As a result of the conditions, I worked with several voters that day that had various issues with their registration. We worked to resolve all the issues we could and when we couldn't we went through the provisional ballot process. I felt very good about my days efforts of facilitating democracy and assisting people many of which hadn't voted in a long time if at all to exercise their right and responsibility to vote.
Upon moving to Missouri I took up the cause once again and I have now worked the primary election this spring and would be working the general if not for my work with the campaign. I have been a little disappointed in that, the state of Missouri takes a slightly more closed approach to provisional balloting. In 2004 the nationwide average of accepted provisional ballots was 68 %. In Boone county I have been informed the range was about 20 % on the high side. This is 20 % of a much lower base number as their had been limited training on Provisional balloting and limited use of the ballot as a last choice and at times the option not even being granted to voters.
All of this background brings me back to my point regarding the Obama campaign's efforts in protecting voters right to vote. In the training their were aspects that I am simply impressed with. First in battleground states the Obama camp has had their legal team in place since July. The have been working hand in hand the Secretary of State's and all local county clerks to ensure that all elections are being held in accordance to the law. Some of the things they have been working on seem simplistic but have a real impact on election day. Some issues are ensuring that their are enough polling locations to serve the expected turnout. Making sure that there are sufficient ballots and personnel working the locations. You don't have to suggest a large conspiracy to see how the placement of the legal teams will help the practice of democracy. They are there to make sure that of all the things these very busy people have to do that nothing gets forgotten or miscalculated. There have been no threats of lawsuits by the Obama team that I am aware and they have taken a very accommodating approach to the process. Their mere presence will make sure that all county clerks have all the i's dotted and t's crossed.
This is the most proactive voter protection team any campaign has assembled.
Secondly which may be more amazing. It has always been customary for either political parties or other interested parties to have poll observers at polling places. In primaries these poll observers often monitor which voter request which ballot. It is kind of creepy. The logic is that primaries are party run elections and therefore they have the right to monitor such information. In general elections the observers usually are marking off voters they are expecting to vote and then later in the day attempt to go round up get those supporters who haven't voted yet to get them out to the polls.
The genius of the Obama team is to place legal people in the seat of the poll observer. As a result their is already a legal person observing any voter challenges any election day mishaps, and inconsistencies. This person will still serve the purpose of monitoring which supporters have voted allowing for the tracking of who has yet to vote so they can be rounded up. In addition they will be a legal representative in place who in all reality will know the election law better then the polling place supervisor.
I have come across an article suggesting the Obama legal in place in Florida is already 5000 strong. This is just one more example of how an Obama administration operates. Always taking the long view, looking at the horizon, anticipating hiccups and solving before they get to be an issue. This is an obvious difference between the Obama and McCain camps, one that is so important in this time of difficulty we are in.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a.hk4HvCkpiE&refer=home
In Florida, Democratic lawyer Charles H. Lichtman has assembled almost 5,000 lawyers to monitor precincts, assist voters turned away at the polls and litigate any disputes that can't be resolved out of court.
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