Somali women challenged at polls in Auburn (Maine)

[jpak]

Source: Bangor News

AUBURN, Maine — Two Somali immigrants were allowed to cast their ballots Tuesday after being challenged by a Republican poll watcher who later backed down.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine said the poll watcher challenged the women at an Auburn polling place because they were registering to vote with the help of an interpreter.

The poll watcher, Gervis Leger of Auburn, backed off when he was told he’d have to sign an affidavit swearing he had direct knowledge that the women weren’t eligible to vote.

Leger said this was his first time as a poll watcher and just had a funny feeling about the women.

Read more: http://bangordailynews.com/2012/11/06/news/lewiston-auburn/somali-women-challenged-at-polls-in-auburn/

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. This does not surprise me in the least. :^(

[rightsideout]

2. Yea, that funny feeling you have Gervis . . .

. . . is known as racism.

[burnsei sensei]

17. +1

nt

[SemperEadem]

3. just think--if our side was not mobilized on this issue

he would have gotten away with infringing upon their right to register to vote. And thank God for the fact that he would have had to sign his name to a legal (read: government) document stating that he knew without any doubt that they were not eligible. A feeling ain't fact, dunderhead. He should live in shame for the rest of his life for that.

[freshwest]

18. That's why the Nordquists want to 'starve the beast' that interferes with oppessing others.

They should look in the mirror for the real beast.

[Raster]

4. Now is the time to SEVERELY PUNISH ANYONE that interfered with the electoral process.

Cases in point:

1. The brutally-partisan OHIO Secretary of State, Jon Husted, that did everything he could, legal and illegally to limit American citizens from rightfully casting their lawful ballots;
   
   
2. The brutally-partisan Florida Governor, Rick Scott, that did everything he could, legal and illegally to limit American citizens from rightfully casting their lawful ballots; and
   
   
3. The "True the Vote" miscreants, and other organs of voter suppression and intimidation, whose only purpose was to suppress legal citizens - especially those of color and minorities - from casting their lawful ballots.
   
   

[csziggy]

7. Nathan Sproul who is PAID by the RNC for registration fraud

And the groups that have paid him - American Crossroads (Karl Rove's PAC) is among those.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/us/politics/nathan-sproul-a-republican-operative-long-trailed-by-voter-fraud-claims.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

[Raster]

19. ah yes, KKKarl Rove......

.... :

[MADem]

5. A "funny feeling?" Good grief.

That's a racist feeling, the putz!

[msanthrope]

6. Black skin made you have a 'funny feeling' Mr. Leger??? nt

[Monk06]

8. "I had a funny feeling they were black people."

[left is right]

9. Maybe we could get a law passed in most of the states

that would require an unsuccessful challenger pay a fee of say $1000 for the first unsuccessful challenge and have it go up incrementally for each one after the first. Of course, if proven right perhaps we could give him a certificate if he is proven right “from a grateful nation for uncovering voter fraud."

[msanthrope]

10. I think they should be bonded. nt

[Robb]

11. GREAT idea.

[msanthrope]

12. It would cut down on some foolishness.....nt

[allan01]

13. re:Somali women challenged at polls in Auburn (Maine)

so where are your credentials mr poll observer . and where did u get ur authorization to do s ? who is watching u so u dont suppress others votes ? who is watching the watcherz?

[Moonwalk]

14. The probably view it as a citizen's arrest...

...they are stopping a crime, after all

[SCVDem]

15. Betcha he thought they were Kenyan.

Small mind, small worldview!

[Hepburn]

16. And could be relatives of the Prez...

...who was also born in Kenya...

[Gormy Cuss]

20. No, probably thought they were Somali.

The L/A area was a resettlement community for Somali refugees. Over time Somalis who were resettled in other parts of the country moved to Maine -- some to rejoin family, some because they heard that the Mainers were more welcoming, or that L/A was a small urban area and easier for the formerly rural Somalis.

Unfortunately when the number of Somalis went from few to many problems arose for various reasons: xenophobia, the generally depressed economy of the area, and bigotry.

The tea baggers in southern and central ME hate the Somali immigrants.