Trump's Call For a Flood of Poll Watchers Could Disrupt Some Polling Places

[red dog 1]

Pro Publica and
Mother Jones
September 14, 2016

"In all but four states, private citizens can challenge someone's right to cast a ballot on or before Election day.
In most places, the burden of proof then falls on the voter."


Donald Trump's campaign website implores voters to
"Help Me Stop Crooked Hillary From Rigging This Election" by signing up as observers.
He warned people at an August 12 campaign event in Altoona, Pennsylvania, that Clinton could win the state only by cheating, and asked supporters to "go down to certain areas and watch and study, and make sure other people don't come and vote five times."

Less than a week later, Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, encouraged a crowd in Manchester, New Hampshire, to help ensure a fair election by serving as poll watchers because "you are the greatest vanguard for integrity in voting."

No one knows how many of the Republican nominee's supporters will heed his call to stand in polling places on November 8 and challenge some voters' credentials - but past experience suggests that a wave of partisan poll watchers could create confusion and discourage people who have a right to cast ballots.

Read More:
http://www.propublica.org/article/trumps-call-for-a-flood-of-poll-watchers-could-disrupt-some-voting-places

[TeamPooka]

1. I'm calling for our side to be the poll watchers across the country.

[onecent]

2. I don't think Drumpf has that much money!!

[duncang]

3. That's how he is making money

His website has a sign up where you pay him to be a "official" poll watcher.

[onecent]

5. Oops you are probably right, sorry....

[kimbutgar]

4. Obama needs to call out the national guard to protect the integrity of our vote on election day

[yeoman6987]

7. With tanks and guns? I don't think that would be helpful

[kimbutgar]

9. Guards standing by to make sure people are not being hassled while voting

Cheeto's thugs will be threatening.

[Gothmog]

6. There is a consent decree in place that will come into play

Back in 1982, the RNC engaged in voter intimidation tactics and were sued by the DNC. A consent decree has been kept in effect since 1982 and will be invoked http://electionlawblog.org/?p=85289

In the consent decree, “The RNC agreed that the RNC, its agents, servants, and employees would be bound by the Decree, ‘whether acting directly or indirectly through other party committees.” Does Trump count as the RNC’s agent in these circumstances? They are certainly acting in concert, and it is plausible to argue that Trump and the RNC are agents of each other for purposes of this election. Also, the activity Trump is talking about engaging violate the consent decree? One thing the consent decree says is that they must:

(e) refrain from undertaking any ballot security activities in polling places or election districts where the racial or ethnic composition of such districts is a factor in the decision to conduct, or the actual conduct of, such activities there and where a purpose or significant effect of such activities is to deter qualified voters from voting; and the conduct of such activities disproportionately in or directed toward districts that have a substantial proportion of racial or ethnic populations shall be considered relevant evidence of the existence of such a factor and purpose…

If this activity violates the consent decree, the DNC can ask for it to be extended for up to another 8 years.

[bluestateguy]

8. I will not tolerate that

I will protect myself from vigilantes who threaten me.

I'll just leave it at that.

[liberalhistorian]

10. First of all, I do NOT understand and have NEVER understood

why any private citizen is legally permitted to challenge another private citizen's vote and why it is then up to the voter to prove wrong whatever bullshit assumption/challenge such private citizen has pulled out of their ass.

Second, I'm not just worried about crazy vote challengers and so-called "poll watchers", although that's certainly something to be worried about. I'm also just as worried about all the crazy intimidating stunts Trumpsters will pull, especially in heavily-populated areas. Drumpf has stirred up the shit in people such as I have never before seen in any American election and it is truly disturbing and frightening. I remember how nasty Bush people were in 2000 and 2004, but that's child play next to what the Trumpsters are and will be capable of.

Although, since I live on a remote indian reservation in the West, I'm not all that concerned about dealing with Trumpsters at my own polling place. Trump hates Indians and has worked against them for decades, and any Trump people around here will be quickly dealt with if they try any harassing or intimidating tactics. My family in Ohio, however, likely won't be so lucky, especially given Ohio's pivotal status.

[red dog 1]

11. I don't understand that either

As far as "intimidating stunts Trumpsters will pull" on election day, I, too, am worried about that.
These Trump-lovers are dangerous as hell, and they will do anything to get their man elected (They also like to punch 69-year-old protesters with oxygen tanks in the face)

Here are two websites with good info on election fraud, which the GOP loves to do.

1) Bev Harris wrote a great book about ballot tampering:
"Black Box Voting: Ballot Tampering in the 21st Century"
Her website has a lot of good info on the subject
http://blackboxvoting.org/

2) Brad Friedman writes about ballot fraud on a regular basis
http://www.bradblog.com