Attempts to suppress the vote in Bergen County, NJ

[madmax]

Two men my husband work with told him this:

One co-worker's daughter went to register to vote and was given a hard time. She's a pol-sci major and bitched enough that they let her register.

The other co-worker told my husband that his son and a friend registered to vote and received phone calls telling they couldn't vote that he signed in the wrong place, the other was told that he hadn't filed on time. They were told they could vote 'next time'.

Two were first time voters, one change of address from Nevada to NJ, all are Jewish and under 25 years old.

My husband freaked out and told his co-worker to send his kid and his friend back to demand they be allowed to vote. They were given 'provisional ballots.'

Bergen County is a Repug strong hold and I believe they're trying to suppress the vote. That may be why NJ comes up in some polls with bush ahead. Don't take NJ as a lock for Kerry - the repugs are frantic. I wouldn't put it past them to try to steal it.

Anyone have a link that my husband can give to his co-workers for their kids to make a formal complaint.

[mconvente]

1. Bergen County Dem here

I don't have a website but I do have the phone number to the Superindendent of Elections for Bergen County:

201-336-6100

fax #: [phone]

The name of the Superintendent of Elections is Patricia DiCostanzo. Try and give her a call. Our county is a repuke stronghold, but my town (Midland Park) does have it's solid share of K/E signs (about 10-12).

[madmax]

2. Thanks love

My husband will take this information to work tomorrow. He's pissed off. He said to his buddy - 'the kids did everything right and now they're just going to give up? Tell them to get their butts back there and fight for their right to vote'.

:hi: Thanks, again.

[AlamoDemoc]

3. Have them call toll free 1-866-204-1941

[mconvente]

5. well she lives in bergen county

so a 201 area code is local. but I see your point

Glad to help.

[BattyDem]

4. NJ Division of Elections

http://www.state.nj.us/lps/elections/electionshome.html


Also, you may want to contact the NJ Democratic State Committee to let them know what's going on:
http://www.njdems.org/

[molly]

6. Michael Moore has crews filming vote suppression

send him an email or call.

BTW - sounds like profiling to me :grr:

[independentpiney]

7. Ocean County NJ Repugs suppressing vote too

Two weeks ago they said my son couldnt vote because he hadn't brought in proof that his probation(ended 2 years ago)was over before the October 4 registration deadline. I looked up the law on the DOJ Civil rights site, and voting rights are automatically restored when a sentence is completed.

When I called last week & challenged the bitch who told me that, she changed her story and said he had never registered. I spent about 3 hours at the election board with her, her repug supervisor and a democratic supervisor before the Democratic supervisor found his registration hidden in the bitches files.

[madmax]

10. Good for you.

I'm feeling very disgusted with our country. This stuff MUST stop! :mad:

[molly]

13. I hope she got fired?

[independentpiney]

14. After Tuesday I'm going to pursue this more

Not just the woman who was hiding his registration, but the entire thing with sending these certified letters to former felons asking them to provide proof from the parole board their sentences are completed after they re-register.

Here's what DOJ says for NJ:
I have been released from incarceration. How do I restore my right to vote?

In New Jersey, the right to vote is automatically restored upon completion of your sentence, including any period of probation or parole. In order to vote, you simply must register.
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/restorevote/New%20Jersey2.htm

Obviously sending these letters is to make it more of a hassle for them to vote than it legally is.

[AmerDem]

8. this is happening country wide

and it always involves repuke strongholds or places were repukes hold a power position over the electorate. Contact your local newspaper see if they want to look into it.

[madmax]

9. We can't take NJ for granted.

I didn't think it could happen here. Sound familiar? Thanks all for the info.

[BattyDem]

11. Found one more ...

New Jersey Election Office: BERGEN COUNTY

One Bergen County Plaza, Room 130
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone:[phone]


:-)

[madmax]

12. Added it to the list.

Thanks. I want these kids to make sure they don't let this slide.

[robsul82]

15. I'M FROM THERE AND I CAN'T VOTE!

I'm going to school in New Orleans, filed for my absentee, registered as a Democrat, and they "can't find" my registration! WHAT IS GOING ON!

Later.

RJS