Reply #69: Slow down and take a deep breath [View All]

[LittleWoman]

According to my Precinct Election Officials Training Manual--voters may be challenged ONLY by a Precinct Election Official and only on the following grounds:
1. Not a resident of Franklin County
2. Not a resident of Ohio
3. Not a U.S. citizen
4. Not of legal voting age

I expected your scenario in the 2004 election and it did not happen and the rules have changed since then. As a poll worker I sincerely doubt that this will go anywhere. In the past when we have had any kind of problem, the individual voter was taken to the side while the problem was resolved and the line of voters proceeded as before. I do not think poll workers, who start their day at 5:30 am by the way, are going to allow things to get bogged down as we cannot close the polls until the last person in line at 7:30 pm has voted.

Certified observers of both major parties are allowed to be present, but they must present the proper credentials from the Board of Elections. I believe they are not allowed to interfere in the voting process and I for one will call the Board if they try anything.

Based on the Court decision yesterday, I would advise anyone who is going to vote in Ohio to bring their driver's license or state id to the polls. If you do not have either of those bring a current uility bill, ie within the last 6 months, in your name. If you do not have that you can bring any mail from a government entity such as the city, county, state or us government. Letters from the Board of Elections do not count. Passports and military ids which do not show your address will not be accepted. You will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot if you provide the last 4 digits of your social security number. If all else fails you can sign an affirmation and vote a provisional ballot. With the new machines all provisional ballots in Franklin county are now voted on the regular voting machines.

Please do not wear any campaign buttons or t-shirts to the polls as you will be asked to remove them and keep your party endorsed literature in your pocket until you get into the voting booth and do not pass it to anyone else when you have finished voting.