Posted on 11/07/2006 12:10:07 PM PST by beaversmom
Colorado Democratic Party officials said they will ask a state judge to keep Denver polling places open for two extra hours Tuesday night, saying computer problems forced some voters to wait up to two hours while others were turned away.
A court filing said the Denver city attorney supported the request. A Republican Party spokesman said the GOP would oppose it.
GOP spokesman Bryant Adams said an extension was unnecessary because anyone who showed up at a polling place by 7 p.m. would be allowed to vote, no matter how long it took.
Lines of up to 300 people formed at some Denver polling places.
"This is positively ridiculous," said 82-year-old Jack McCroskey, clutching his cane while waiting at the Washington Park polling place in southeast Denver. "At 82, I don't deserve to have to stand out here. What if it had been 10 degrees today?"
Denver Election Commission spokesman Alton Dillard blamed the delays on an power problem with laptop computers used to check voter registrations.
He said some election officials had to call the central election office for the registration information, which he said added "a couple more minutes" to the process. Dillard said voting machines themselves were not affected.
Colorado Democratic Party Chairman Pat Waak said the problem was major. Party spokesman Brian Mason said the laptop computers were not working at least four Denver polling places and probably more.
"Some (voters) were turned away and told to come back later. Others were given provisional ballots, but they ran out," Mason said.
State GOP spokesman Bryant Adams called the request for longer hours "outrageous."
"Absolutely, we're going to oppose the extension," he said. "All a person has to do to vote is to be line by 7 o'clock," he said.
He accused Democrats of trying to win the election in the courts rather than at the ballot box.
Secretary of state spokeswoman Lisa Doran said long lines were reported around the state, which she blamed on the longest ballot in decades -- with 14 proposals -- and new voting machines.
"Despite the training, some of the election judges are intimidated by the machines," she said.
Jon Winterton, 66, who said he had been waiting for an hour and 15 minutes at the Washington Park polling place, didn't mind.
"I love voting. Tonight is like other people's football games. I love watching the returns," he said.
Up to 300 people stood in line at Denver sites. At one, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter waited an hour and 40 minutes to vote.
"It's actually heartening, because if you're standing in line, that means there are people in front of you and in back of you who are all voters. They understand the process is important enough to be patient and wait in line," he said after voting.
A spokesperson for Ritter said after the legal action was announced that there is a reason to be concerned. He added that the party is trying to make sure everyone who wants to vote is physically able to vote. The Ritter campaign said if extending the hours resolves the problem, then great.
Republican Bob Beauprez, who spent months battling Ritter for governor, summed up the election in a single word: Watershed.
The Beauprez campaign said it was still working to determine the facts of what caused the vote delays. They said there was no current evidence that anything outside of the existing rules and law were needed.
You know I feel the same way, I voted a straight R ticket for the first time in my life today. I've never voted for a democrat President but on the local levels I've always voted for the people and issues.
Being born in 1946 means I've voted "a few" elections, But today I voted the way I will from here on out.
At 82, I don't deserve to have to stand out here. What if it had been 10 degrees today?"
First of all Pop, you'd have been very cold. Secondly, at 82 - who drove you to the poll?
Oh, I didn't vote for the Repubs because my folks told me to, I just figured out early on they were the best choice for me.
Old military rule of thumb; "Delays requested by the enemy only work to his advantage. Don't allow it to him!"
Excellent point.
My God, in some parts of the world they stand in line for HOURS or even days!!
But But But...
How will we know how many votes to fabricate if we have to close at the same time as the other precincts?
Gives them time to figure out the margin for cheating. Dems are too lazy to get out of bed before 3 PM?
DENIED, DENIED, DENIED
Polls will close on time in CO!!!
WHOO-HOO!!
Excellent! The gall of them to ask for special privledges in the first place. sheesh!
Excellent.
If you extend the voting hours for Denver and not the rest of the state, it seems like a recipe for endless confusion.
I would see no real issue with extending hours...as long as the judge extended it FOR THE ENTIRE STATE, and not just one locality!
I voted early and even though I'm out of town on business I have TV on, eagerly awiting the returns.:-)
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