Posted on 11/03/2004 7:46:55 AM PST by Taggart_D
Much talk is percolating about provisional ballots today. I experienced first hand what the provisional ballot is, what the democrats are trying to do with them, and what it will mean to our election process. Provisional ballots will destroy the integrity of the “One man, one vote” rule, if there ever was one.
When you were a teenager, did you ever try to get a fake ID to go into a bar? If I could find someone to print up fake IDs, I could vote wherever I wanted, as many times as I wanted on a provisional ballot in the state of Michigan.
Yesterday I was a volunteer Republican Challenger in Wayne County at a precinct in Ecorse, MI, a small town at the south edge of Detroit, African-American community. I live in a community diagnosed with affluenza, I’m a white stay-at-home mom. A new law in the state “permits ‘election challengers’ and ‘poll watchers’ to monitor the election process as a protective safeguard against election fraud.” I was nervous, because earlier that day I talked to a fellow Republican challenger that was not permitted to enter the polling area AT THE POINT OF A GUN! I went anyway, I didn’t care were I was going -- I had simply heard enough news, and I was going to do what I could to protect the election process.
When I arrived at the precinct, I was immediately relieved. Most of the poll workers were sweet little old African-American ladies. However, they did not receive me with open arms. Even though the law states I am allowed to view all materials to process voters, I was told to take a seat at a distance where I could not SEE what was going on. I didn’t make waves; I sat in the chair and simply called the attorney.
After observing the process for about 3 hours, I was feeling more and more comfortable. For every person that showed up that was NOT on the POLL BOOK, the election inspector stopped what she was doing and called the City Clerk in order to send them to their proper precinct.
What surprised me more than anything else AND the Election Inspector, was that the Democratic Challenger at the precinct kept asking her why she was turning away voters. When she explained to him that she was sending them to their proper precinct, he told her that she should have given these voter Provisional Ballots. The Inspector said that their City was NOT using Provisional Ballots because it would be too hard to deal with. (I was relieved yet again.)
“Provisional Ballots?,” I said, “I would have to challenge that, I have reason to believe that these people are registered in another precinct and my have already voted.” I said further, “The Election Inspector is doing the RIGHT thing, she is finding the right place for these people to vote.”
After that, the Election Inspector was nicer to me. Me, the Republican.
It didn’t stop the Democrat challenger from calling his attorney to inform him (I was eavesdropping), that he “Felt” (his exact word) many of the voters were being “disenfranchised” because they were upset at having to drive to another location. (Some just had to just walk across the hall to another table.) He said “I think some of them will just give up and not vote.”
There were 723 votes cast in this precinct. In the time I was there (1pm – 8pm) about 15 people were sent to other precincts through the hard work of the sweet little old ladies that called the Clerk’s office to find out the proper location. Only three were turned away because the City Clerk could not find them registered within the state of Michigan.
When I was finally given access to the Poll Book, I noticed that three of the voters that had shown up to vote had already been given an Absentee Ballot AND that the poll workers had NOT asked for the voter for the Absentee Ballot, or were they asked to sign an affidavit stating that the Absentee Ballot they were given was destroyed.
Since the Democrat challenger didn’t have any luck strong-arming the Election Inspector, he started approaching the voters whose name did not appear on the Poll Book and informing them that they had the Right to a provisional ballot. He even chased one lady into the parking lot by her car to make sure she knew her “Rights”.
When the night was over and the votes tallied (Bush 32, Kerry 689), the Election Inspector had become very cordial towards me and SHE approached me to hug me good-bye.
The course of the day turned into an obvious display that the Democrat challenger was there in order to drum up votes, even if voters were not registered. I was there to ensure the integrity of the process. Which side do you believe is right?
I have been praying an hour each day that God give this country the eyes to see falsehood and lies. I will be praying for that until I see an answer from above.
Its time for all states to pass a law requiring Valid state picture ID or Valid State pic drivers license...
excellent report. You are a great american for you service to your country in giving up a day to make sure the election process in your community was done correctly! Thanks!
Yes, hopefully President Bush will put a priority on election reform in his next term.
Thank you for having the courage to do what you did for the integrity of the system. Great job and goos post.
Keep the faith.
I'm amazed that there are actually election poll workers with brains and integrity in Ecorse/Detroit!
I think that you have proven that the normal Dem in society does not want to win by cheating. We all want fair and square.
I'm amazed that there are actually election poll workers with brains and integrity in Ecorse/Detroit! You did good!!! Thanks for your service.
"When the night was over and the votes tallied (Bush 32, Kerry 689), the Election Inspector had become very cordial towards me and SHE approached me to hug me good-bye.
The course of the day turned into an obvious display that the Democrat challenger was there in order to drum up votes, even if voters were not registered. I was there to ensure the integrity of the process. Which side do you believe is right? "
Both you and the people running the polling place were right, obviously. They sent people to their proper precincts if they came to the wrong one. You observed the polling place.
The Dem watcher was wrong, of course. But here's the real story: You were in a Democrat precinct, and I'm sure the people working the polls were also Democrats. Yet, they followed the rules and did their best to facilitate voting for those who came to the wrong precinct.
Sounds like our system in action to me.
This scenario is exactly why provisional ballots are widely encouraged by Dems.
Thank you for your service to our country.
It sure looks like a lot more blacks voted for Bush. That's great!
Thank YOU for your service to our country.
I had a really good experience in my polling place here in Florida, too. The supervisor (a black man supervising four older ladies who were all Dems) checked everything very carefully, took no chances, and made every effort to enable people to vote - but without violating the law. I was really impressed. And we all got along beautifully and mutually congratulated each other at the end of the day.
Come to think of it, this is the best way I can think of to 'institutionalize' voter fraud. They finally did it!
Now, if I may, this is how I think the Democrat media would portray the event:
placemark
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.