Posted on 11/06/2006 11:11:08 AM PST by PghBaldy
In 2000 and 2004, problems plagued the polls in different parts of the country: long lines, eligible voters turned away, voter intimidation, misallocation and malfunctioning of voting equipment. They were underreported on Election Day. Days and weeks later, a more complete picture of voter disenfranchisement emerged—but it was too late. The elections were over and the media had moved on. Starting this election, citizen journalists—people like you and me—will document problems as they occur. We'll play them online, spread word through blogs and partner websites, doing our part to make sure the full story of our elections is told.
Election Day Video Guidelines Don't be alarmed by how legal and official everything sounds below. While it's not light reading, we wanted to make sure everyone understands the serious nature of documenting elections. Getting all this stuff right up front will help ensure a productive Election Day.
The Cardinal Rule: The job of videographers capturing video on Election Day, is to observe and document, not to influence the election process in any way. Footage will be used to expose problems with the election process, to help to advocate for changes to that process, to assist individuals in litigation, and may be made available to the media and public to ensure fair and proper processes have been followed. While there are many potential benefits of this project, the possibility for this effort to disrupt the voting process is significant—videographers must be aware of this and make every effort to avoid disruption.
The Video the Vote effort is non-partisan. It is important that you act in a strictly non-partisan way while observing at the polls. You shouldn't engage voters in political conversations of any kind, even informal friendly discussions. Nor should you wear any partisan or campaign paraphernalia, e.g. campaign buttons, T-shirts or other clothing, or visual references to partisan organizations. If you have partisan bumper stickers on you car, it's best to cover or remove them.
When interviewing a voter, first get the voter's permission. If possible, obtain a written or on-camera verbal release, allowing for the person's image and likeness to be used by yourself, Video the Vote, or our affiliated coalition member organizations. As a videographer, you will be entering an environment where video cameras that are not recognizable as press are often considered hostile and untrustworthy. Many voters will assume the worst that the volunteer is there engaging in surveillance or trying to suppress the vote. Being clear about your role in plain language and an up-front manner that you're there to help protect people's right to vote goes a long way to countering such ideas.
If a voter is reluctant to be filmed, do not attempt to persuade them to do so.
Leave your camera in the car (or if it’s a pocket sized camera with video capability, leave it in your pocket) until you’ve assessed the situation and talked with voters. When first approaching a voter, do so without your camera. Establish a connection and level of trust with them first.
When shooting an interview, set up your shot so that you do not inadvertently capture the faces of other voters on video. The interview should not impact any other voters in any way.
There will be a dedicated phone line at the national legal command center for the Election Day Video The Vote project in case you are unsure about any legal assistance and guidance you may need. You should also use the dedicated Video The Vote hotline in the case that you see instances that to your knowledge have not been reported.
You should should never enter a polling place with a camera or microphone, unless you've been authorized to do so by both an election official and an Election Protection attorney.
If police are present near any polling place, please contact the national legal command center.
Never argue with a poll worker, even if you are doing something within your rights. If you have a problem, politely step back, then call the national legal command center, using the dedicated phone line, and the command center will attempt to solve the problem.
If asked to surrender your camera and tape do not do so. Call the legal command center and attorneys will attempt to resolve the dispute.
You should always be aware if you're being taped yourself. Being present with a camera will attract attention and volunteers may become the subject of other curious filmmakers. Please decline to be interviewed on Election Day.
If an attorney may ask you to cancel an interview because the interview subject is going to be a plaintiff in litigation, it's best (for the client) that you do so. In some case, an interview can make it more difficult for someone who's been disenfranchised to make their case.
There is a slight chance that as a videographer you may become a witness in a lawsuit. You could be deposed or be called upon to authenticate video you shot; it's a very remote possibility, but you should be aware of it.
Finally, in the best scenario, no problems will arise on Election Day. Do not look for problems. Many polling places and localities have no problems at all. In part, it means that we are doing a good job of monitoring the elections. This does not mean that you cannot interview voters about the process and get good b-roll. But remember that a boring Election Day may be a sign of a smooth and fair Election Day. Guidelines are subject to change. Video the Vote is a non-partisan project and is not endorsed by any candidate or political party.
A bunch of shady characters: Video the Vote was created by Ian Inaba of the Guerrilla News Network, John Ennis of Shoot First, and James Rucker of ColorOfChange.org.
The three originally sought to provide a platform to help independent filmmakers coordinate their efforts on election day—documenting election problems and pushing those stories into the mainstream media. The idea morphed into a populist program where ordinary people could participate. They'd simply agree to be on-call to document any Election Day problems that arise in their area; the only requirements being having a digital video recorder, a cell phone, and broadband Internet access, and agreeing to respect governing election law.
Since starting, several organizations have partnered with us to make Video the Vote a success, namely Common Cause, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, The League of Young Voters Education Fund, People for the American Way Foundation, and Rock the Vote
Some people REALLY DO need to get a life. AND A JOB!!!!
"eligible voters turned away, voter intimidation,"
Oddly, the only folks under endictment for that are Democrats. Yet MORE projection from the Democriminals.
You might be asked to show ID. You might be asked to prove you're not voting for a dead person. You might be asked if your criminal record has been wiped clean.
"In 2000 and 2004, problems plagued the polls in different parts of the country: long lines, eligible voters turned away, voter intimidation, misallocation and malfunctioning of voting equipment. They were underreported on Election Day. Days and weeks later, a more complete picture of voter disenfranchisement emerged—but it was too late."
I'm sure the MSM would have had NO interest in that story. If it had realy happened, there would be at least a dozen books about it.
STOP THE DEMOCRAT BROWN SHIRTS; we had better be ready for a long day tomorrow. This is classic fascism, and they are showing themselves to be devout students of their masters. Cast your vote, and stick around for a while to watch what is going on. Have your cell phone on and DO NOT BE AFRAID to call the police if you see voter intimidation.
"A man may smile and smile, and be a villain."
Those are all legal, logical, entirely honest groups.
they have no agenda, and they will tell you that themselves.
/sarchasm - The gaping whole between reality and a liberal.
"Clinton was in his classic mode, smoothly warning his crowd that the Republicans were attempting to suppress voting."
Funny, in my state, black democrats are under endictment right now for supressing the white vote and voter intimidation of whites.
Isn't it funny that the people who call President Bush a fascist would rather have a Benito Mussolini or Oswald Mosley as President then Bush.
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