"The best thing to come through Mississippi since cornbread." - Rep. Willie Bailey (D - Greenville) Named one of the best state-based political blogs by the Washington Post R.I.P. Craig Noone (1979-2011)
Reporting that Madison County precinct 111 - The Mark does not have a Democratic Poll book. My source says three Democrats attempted to vote there and were offered affidavit ballots in lieu of the regular procedure. They all three declined the offer. The Dem poll manager there is a Ms. Russell and there is one other worker at the Dem table, according to the source.
Good Samaritan Precinct (Mill St. & Millsaps Ave) did not have ballot boxes set up, had to fill out ballot on table with poll workers. Also, poll workers told 2 dem. voters that they had to be registered republican to vote in republican primary.
A word to the wise about voter assistance: You can't direct a person on which primary to vote in, or how to vote, unless they ask for assistance. I've already received a report of this going on in the Oxford Republican primary. Reportedly, a woman showed up, walked to the Democratic table, and announced rather loudly that she wished to vote "against the idiot." Republican poll worker told her she wanted to vote for Thad, then, and directed her as to how to do so.
Now, all humor aside, once poll workers begin ordering someone around the polling place, it becomes more than a bit intimidating. This lady may truly have wanted to vote in the Republican primary for Thad Cochran, but it's also just as likely that she was intimidated into doing so. This behavior is offer innocent, and the poll worker usually thinks they're doing the Lord's work in preserving our democracy. But it's still against the law.
Circuit clerk in Jones county moved several stations to churches due to "redistricting". Notifications and Voter registration cards arrived less than a week before Tuesday. I registered over a year ago and was promised a card then.
I keep getting reports from the field about confusion over which tables/poll books represent which party. MAKE SURE YOU ASK BEFOREHAND. In some areas where you may be in the minority (Democrat in some parts of Rankin, Republican in the Delta), make sure you let the poll worker know which primary you want to vote in. They may make the wrong assumption.
Interesting experience in Hattiesburg this morning, but no real problems. I walked up to the table marked Dem table, and the poll worker asked me if I was voting Republican. I said no and stood there for what seemed like an eternity while my ID was examined. I seemed to be the only one there who wasn't voting Republican, so I imagine that had something to do with it.
A caller reports that two law enforcement vehicles are stationed prominently at Precinct 107 in Madison County. The caller estimates that the vehicles are within 150 feet of the polling place entrance. Uniformed police officers, unless called for a disturbance, are considered to be an intimidating factor at the polls, no matter how well intentioned. There is statutory language addressing this issue.
Anybody else surprised by the crappy conditions at the Grace Crossing Church precinct on Yandell Road in Madison County? had to walk through 6-inch tall, wet grass several hundred feet to get to a TINY trailer behind the church that was really too small for a voting precinct. Good thing there was a light turnout, and if it had rain, would have been a absolutely muddy mess.
16 comments:
Thanks for this, Matt.
Reporting that Madison County precinct 111 - The Mark does not have a Democratic Poll book. My source says three Democrats attempted to vote there and were offered affidavit ballots in lieu of the regular procedure. They all three declined the offer. The Dem poll manager there is a Ms. Russell and there is one other worker at the Dem table, according to the source.
Thanks for the report! I'll pass it along.
Good Samaritan Precinct (Mill St. & Millsaps Ave) did not have ballot boxes set up, had to fill out ballot on table with poll workers. Also, poll workers told 2 dem. voters that they had to be registered republican to vote in republican primary.
9:05, thanks for the report!
A word to the wise about voter assistance: You can't direct a person on which primary to vote in, or how to vote, unless they ask for assistance. I've already received a report of this going on in the Oxford Republican primary. Reportedly, a woman showed up, walked to the Democratic table, and announced rather loudly that she wished to vote "against the idiot." Republican poll worker told her she wanted to vote for Thad, then, and directed her as to how to do so.
Now, all humor aside, once poll workers begin ordering someone around the polling place, it becomes more than a bit intimidating. This lady may truly have wanted to vote in the Republican primary for Thad Cochran, but it's also just as likely that she was intimidated into doing so. This behavior is offer innocent, and the poll worker usually thinks they're doing the Lord's work in preserving our democracy. But it's still against the law.
Circuit clerk in Jones county moved several stations to churches due to "redistricting". Notifications and Voter registration cards arrived less than a week before Tuesday. I registered over a year ago and was promised a card then.
I've heard of multiple precincts being moved in Madison County.
I keep getting reports from the field about confusion over which tables/poll books represent which party. MAKE SURE YOU ASK BEFOREHAND. In some areas where you may be in the minority (Democrat in some parts of Rankin, Republican in the Delta), make sure you let the poll worker know which primary you want to vote in. They may make the wrong assumption.
Interesting experience in Hattiesburg this morning, but no real problems. I walked up to the table marked Dem table, and the poll worker asked me if I was voting Republican. I said no and stood there for what seemed like an eternity while my ID was examined. I seemed to be the only one there who wasn't voting Republican, so I imagine that had something to do with it.
Trouble identifying which table is which at the Castlewoods precinct in Rankin County.
SuperTalk MS is reporting low turnout statewide. That's somewhat surprising to me, honestly.
A caller reports that two law enforcement vehicles are stationed prominently at Precinct 107 in Madison County. The caller estimates that the vehicles are within 150 feet of the polling place entrance. Uniformed police officers, unless called for a disturbance, are considered to be an intimidating factor at the polls, no matter how well intentioned. There is statutory language addressing this issue.
Caller reports that Precinct 111 is now in possession of the Democrat poll books.
Anybody else surprised by the crappy conditions at the Grace Crossing Church precinct on Yandell Road in Madison County? had to walk through 6-inch tall, wet grass several hundred feet to get to a TINY trailer behind the church that was really too small for a voting precinct. Good thing there was a light turnout, and if it had rain, would have been a absolutely muddy mess.
Low voter turnout has nothing to with new Voter ID Law, intimidation, or any other made up excuse. It all boils down to apathy, and that is repulsive.
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