I Just Prevented Thousands of Californians from Having to Vote On Provisional Ballots!

[emlev]

Fortunately, my own polling place was just changed. If it hadn't been, none of this would have happened!

I went online to check my polling place, trying to figure out the best way to tell other people to check theirs. The California Secretary of State's office has a page where you can check your polling place, and the League of Women Voters has one as well. I decided to check both and compare the ease of using the two systems. Lo and behold, in response to my entering my home address, these two systems came up with two different polling locations!

I called my county election office. A helpful election worker told me I should definitely check with my local office, not one of those outside organizations, that the local info would always be the most up-to-date. She checked it for me and -- guess what? -- it was the League of Women Voters information that was correct!

We dug deeper and I eventually discovered that the Secretary of State's webpage for voters to check their polling places contained links to outdated polling place location information for several counties! I called the SoS's office, and my local election worker called them, too. Within an hour, I'd received a call back from the SoS office that links for all the counties had now been updated.

What will happen to people who go to the wrong polling place as a result of this (now repaired) problem? According to the local election worker I spoke with, voters who show up at the wrong polling place in my county will be instructed to call the county elections office and find the right polling place or to vote on a provisional ballot. In my county, those provisional ballots will likely (!) be counted. I'm not sure that's true in all of the counties involved. Provisional ballots stand a smaller chance of being counted than do regular ballots. And they're not counted until many days after the election, in most cases well after winners have already been announced.

So, if you have recently used the California Secretary of State's website to find your polling place, try it again now. The information may have changed. Perhaps better yet, contact your local elections office directly to check you polling place location. In California, you can find that contact information here. If you're outside of California, find the information for your state at VoteSmart. You can also check your polling place online at SmartVoter (similar name, different site).

If you discover a problem, remember that it may not be a problem just for you. In this situation, literally thousands of voters may have had their ability to vote a regular (not provisional) ballot restored by the hour I took today to work on this. One person CAN make a difference.

Want to find out what else you can do to help increase the integrity of the November 4 election?
Go to the action site for the film STEALING AMERICA: Vote By Vote.

[SemperEadem]

1. make sure you write letters to your editors and contact your

local tv stations to alert them to this (registered/return receipts). At least you will have put the bug in their ears... if they choose to do nothing, then you can show proof that you contacted them with the correct information to disseminate and they chose not to.

[dmr]

21. This is a good idea

If anything, the news can report it as an important and current topical interest story - though I believe it is much more important than that angle.

Too bad the SOS doesn't send out a press release.

As you said, write LTTEs to cover this in case the news doesn't cover it.

[pnwmom]

2. You deserve a big one!

:hug:

[cui bono]

3. Good work!

I've gone to the check if you're registered site and cannot find anywhere to see if I am. I'm sure that I am, I ogt my voter info stuff in the mail, but want to make sure nothing happened. All I see is how to register and other things, but nothing to find out if I really am already registered.

[emlev]

7. Which site did you check?

Best to call your county (see link in OP). You can also check VotePoke.org.

[SemperEadem]

62. Thanks for that link

I registered when I changed over my driver's license to the current state in which I reside back in July. I did receive information from the state as to where my voting location was, but when I did a check on the link you've provided, it says there is no record of me being registered. With the possibility of purging going on, I'm not taking any chances. So I have a week to get the form to them... that way I know for sure that I am registered to vote in this very important election.

[unrelatedwaffle]

73. Don't trust VotePoke

It seems questionable. Instead of saying "you are not registered," it says that it can't find a record of you being registered, and then urges you to do so. Double registration = disqualification, easy.

I was worried after checking this site that said I might not be registered and looked at my local Board of Elections webpage, which indeed, had registration lookup, and indeed, I am registered.

Trust your local Board of Elections! (Just look it up in the Google by your county, easy peasy).

[emlev]

4. A little work went a long way. Here's an opportunity for YOU to have that effect:

I'm running a program called Standing For Voters, where we're calling on candidates all over the country to take an election integrity pledge that includes

-- not to concede before all valid votes are counted and all serious election challenges resolved
-- to challenge elections where necessary.

With all of the disenfranchisement tactics being exploited throughout the country, with 95% of the nation's votes being counted by secret software, and with exit polls that are now adjusted to match the official vote totals before being released, we know elections will need to be challenged. In some places, ONLY candidates have the standing to do this. So we have to get them ready to Stand For Voters!

In just a few minutes, you can alert a candidate to this situation and call on them to take the Standing For Voters pledge. And that few minutes of your work could lead to an election challenge that changes the results of an election. The more 'few minuteses' you spend to do this, the greater the chance that your work will make a significant difference.

Is it easy? You betcha!

Here's all you need. You can go to the Standing For Voters home page and read up on the project if you want, or you can contact candidates simply by following these directions:

1) Download the card on the Standing For Voters For Voters page by right clicking on it and choosing "save link as...."
You can then insert it into an email, or print it out. Email it, fax it, or mail it to one or more candidates. Not just presidential candidates, any candidates for any office, regardless of party affiliation. Add a personal note. (Your note might point out that in addition to the pledge that's spelled out in the email, we also offer a more robust Super Pledge at our website.)

2) Find candidates' contact information at VoteSmart.org, or at through the website of your local election office, which can be found at a different VoteSmart link.

3) Follow up. Try calling candidates' headquarters and asking them to look for your email, fax or letter, and ask them when you should check back to learn of the candidate's response to your request. Then check back at that time.

That's all there is to it. Many candidates are eager to sign and to have the information we provide at the Standing For Voters site.

And check out Standing For Voters to see the list of candidates who have signed on. Which presidential candidate do you think has taken our Super Pledge?

[Qutzupalotl]

5. You can also find your polling place and registration status at this site:

http://www.voteforchange.com

You can register if you aren't registered already. It's large print so seniors and the disabled can read it. Spread this around!

[ContinentalOp]

6. Great job! -nt-

[GuvWurld]

8. Great work emlev!

K&R

[rucky]

9. Similar problem on the Ohio SOS site...

I went on there to verify my sister-in-law's voter registration and she wasn't in the system. I had her call the county office and they verified she was indeed registered. I guess it's better than having it happen the other way around, but still...

[emlev]

11. Today is the LAST DAY to register in Ohio -- have everyone you know check!

For other states, find the registration deadline here at VotersUnite.org.

[yowzayowzayowza]

10. Good catch!!!

:bounce:

[dhpgetsit]

12. You are a real hero in my book!

Everyone please be vigilant! Keep checking your eligibility and make sure your friends and neighbors check as well!

[lonestarnot]

13. Most damned excellent award!

:applause:

[emlev]

14. Thank you! Here's what I want for my prize:

For people to do what I described in this upthread post.

Or if you don't like that one, go to StealingAmericaTheMovie/GetActive and choose something ELSE to do for election integrity. Hard to choose? Here's a tool I created to help.

[VP505]

15. Thank you for your citizen activism.

We all need to be watching for thing like this. I received an email from the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), they have launched a Election Protection Wiki. Here is a link to the post I made about it. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4181083

[emlev]

16. You're welcome. And thank you. Link looks very useful. n/t

[emlev]

17. Please Digg (etc.) this version of my story now on OpEdNews!

I Just Prevented Thousands of Californians from Having to Vote On Provisional Ballots!
I believe I likely did more for the public good today than most people do in their entire lives. It took me an hour.

[tom_paine]

18. You can say what so few have. You put a dent in Bushie Voter Disenfranchisement Ops.

That was almost certainly aBushie move. Like "Oh sure, I'll update that site for you.

(Bushie then goes to a 2 hr. lunch)

Upon return "OK, I finished it. The site is updated and ready to go.

Probabaly something like that.

And YOU caught it and STOPPED IT!

You deserve a :patriot: and a :toast:

AND :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[emlev]

20. I don't feel convinced it was intentional.

Though it may have been, and it's an interesting thought.

I suppose it's because I have a decent amount of trust for Debra Bowen that I am willing at this point to give her office the benefit of the doubt. Though I certainly wish she had managed by now to rid us of the e-voting blight here in California.

[tom_paine]

28. Agreed. No way of knowing. This was just speculation, but when dealing with Bushies, Nazis

or ANY kind of tyrants, it is always wisest to assume malicious intent first, as that will be BY FAR the Bushie motivation for MOST of their "mistakes" (at least that's what they have to tell us, like when they let New orleans drown even though we've all seen the film of Bush being briefed on katrina A DAY BEFORE LANDFALL) and actions.

It is NOT the way a Free Citizen of a Free Nation should think. But it IS the way Americans and others ruled by Third-World tyrants should view their rulers.

The differences between Bush-Occupied Amerika and the reamining free nations of the world are massive and growing wider by the day. If we pretend that we are in a Free Country even at this late date whenit so obviosuly is untrue, then we ARE as foolish as the 1930s German...and I think we might still be, in the end (only time will tell for sure).

And remember, it only takes one Freeper in the office to pull such shit,and staffers are not poltical hires, I don't think, so there could easily be one or more Freeprs among the honest people. You may be right, though, and it may not be a result of Bushie Malevolence, but as I will reiterate: When dealing with Bushies, Nazis and other amoral totalitarians the wise policy is to assume malfasance until proven otherwise.

[kwyjibo]

19. Awesome, great work!

[Laelth]

22. Kudos! You did the right thing, and you made the world a better place.

k&r

:dem:

-Laelth

[tbyg52]

23. Hooray!

:yourock:

[tblue37]

24. It's disgusting that all the powers that be are so cavalier about

our right to vote.

[emlev]

25. While this never should have been necessary,

I was impressed by the appropriate alarm of the election workers at the local and state level today, and the quick action to deal with the situation.

[mod mom]

26. Way to go Em!

:hi:

[emlev]

27. Thanks, ModMom n/t

[myrna minx]

29. Thank you!

:patriot:

[vanlassie]

30. THANKS!!!

[robinlynne]

31. You go emlev!!!!!!!!!

[truedelphi]

32. Thank You emleve n/t

[Melissa G]

33. Great work, emlev!

:yourock:

[garybeck]

34. Great work sister!

this shows poeple can DO something!

[OakCliffDem]

35. Kick

[livvy]

36. Excellent!

I passed on the pledge to my favorite local candidate. I hope she signs.

Thank you!

[emlev]

45. Thank you for doing that. Are you willing to pass to more candidates?

You could consider asking her opponents, or other local, statewide or national candidates.
When pledges come in, we post them quickly on the Standing For Voters site.

If you have feedback about the process of using our site, please email info(at)standingforvoters.org.

Again, thanks for taking action!

[bronxiteforever]

37. Thanks for fighting for our rights! K & R

[Pacifist Patriot]

38. Brilliant!

[Dollface]

39. Way to go! Go get yourself something elitist, a latte perhaps or an arugula sandwich.

[LiberalFighter]

40. You may be half right and half wrong about whether votes would count.

If the ballot did not also correspond to the races being conducted in the correct precinct at best only those races that were in your voting district would be counted.

President = no problem cause it is state-wide - national
Governor = no problem it is state-wide
Other state-wide races = no problem

State Senate - might be a problem cause the ballot might had had a district that you don't live in.

State Representative = might be a problem even more likely chance the ballot for that election might be wrong.

Other down races = More chance of a problem.

[emlev]

46. You're right

If a voter votes the on the wrong ballot style, only the races they should have been allowed to vote on would be counted.

In the case of a moved polling place, it's the offices and ballot measures that break down into the tiniest geographical divisions (fire district or district Supervisor or that sort of thing) that are most likely to be affected.

[SDFalconer]

41. Thanks for posting

I just checked and my polling place has changed for this election. Hard to believe! It changed from a public place to a private residence.

Whatever, I'm still voting

[emlev]

47. Just out of curiosity...

will you check two different ways and make sure you get the same info? If you checked through your local elections office, now check SmartVoter.org, and vice versa.

If they don't match, PM me and tell me what state and county you're in.

Thanks.

[happygoluckytoyou]

42. JUST SENT THIS TO MY BROTHERS.... copy and send

[emlev]

50. Cool. Perhaps even better, send the OpEdNews version

as people who aren't on DU can have a hard time accessing links to DU threads. Though of course you could cut and paste the OP.

Here's a link to the article on OpEdNews:

I Just Prevented Thousands of Californians from Having to Vote on Provisional Ballots!
I believe I likely did more for the public good today than most people do in their entire lives. It took me an hour.

[Kajsa]

43. Thank you, Emlev!

You have helped thousands of our fellow Californians
vote on November 4th.

Thanks for a job well done.

:) :patriot:

[The Backlash Cometh]

44. Job well done. Proud to know you.

[emlev]

48. You know me?

Who the heck are ya? PM me and tell me!

[The Backlash Cometh]

53. erm, know you as in two ships passing in the night, exchanging foghorn

blasts.

[emlev]

55. Ah, sorry. I love foghorns. n/t

[xxqqqzme]

49. The voter's guide will also have your polling

location printed on the back cover (unless you're an absentee voter), but we don't have ours yet.

[emlev]

51. Yes. Take it with you when you go to vote. n/t

[wryter2000]

52. Good for you!

:applause: :yourock: :woohoo:

[bleever]

54. Good work, emlev!

Downright heroic.

:yourock:

[Bernardo de La Paz]

56. Good work! Thank you!

[agent46]

57. Bravo!

Thanks VERY much for this emlev.

Mick
CA voter

[iamjoy]

58. KICK

:dem:

[Gadzooks1]

59. Polling place shenannigans in California

I live in Ventura County, California, and have been an election volunteer for several years, both as a poll clerk and an election inspector. Two elections back, we had a problem...we have a single polling place for two precincts, and the precincts are not split geographically, but alphabetically. Most people don't know which precinct they vote in, but do know how to spell their names. This means that each of the two stations handing out ballots has two different ballots for two different precincts. A poll clerk at one of the stations was not able to comprehend this and was giving out wrong ballots all day. A woman eventually had a meltdown in the middle of the room because he would not give her a ballot that included the water district election, and she was crying and shouting, "They won't let me vote!" I walked her outside and asked what was going on, and she told me. Then several other people spoke up with the same complaint. I went back in after assuring them they would be able to vote, and explained the system to the errant poll clerk. All went smoothly until several hours lter, when he started doing it again. This time, I re-assigned him to a different task, and wrote a report. When a roving inspector finally showed up, I explained the situation. We had no idea how many ballots were invalid. She was not interested, and said she would get back to me. She didn't. The following day I called the county elections office. They said they would get back to me. They didn't. So I wrote a letter to the editor, and it got printed. Then they got back to me. My name was removed from the "active" list of poll workers, and during the primary I was not asked to work even though my precinct was short-handed. That is when I found out I had been side-lined. I complained, and was told I would be "conditionally" re-instated. A week later I received a letter telling me my precinct was designated a "vote by mail" precinct...250 or fewer registered voters. No election I have worked in this precinct has turned out fewer than 400 voters. Does anybody but me seem to care? Nope. On a brighter note, Ventura County will be using paper punchcard ballots again. I assume they originally dropped them because the holes were too hard to move.

[yellerpup]

60. You must feel pretty good about the HUGE difference you made in this

election! Better than the best, I'd say! :toast: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

[TooRaLoo]

61. Damn it. A lot of those people have probably written down the wrong address

and haven't thought to check again. That's something I might do, except that voting issues are the reason I found DU before the last election.

I hope they do check again.

Thank you for doing this!!

[kpete]

63. you are amazing

I salute you, kp

[april]

64. Thanks so Much!

[emlev]

65. GOOD NEWS -- followup to OP

My voter booklet just came in the mail. On the front cover is a HUGE red 'splat' that says my voting place may have changed, and then tells me where to look on the booklet for the polling location.

[TooRaLoo]

70. Thank FSM! Good to know. nt

[Piewhacket]

66. Good man! Doin it now....

[byronius]

67. Debra Bowen, CA SOS, is the ultimate Election Fraud Activist.

I've seen her in action, helped her get elected. But the counties are relatively independent, even though she recently took steps to make sure that unaudited Diebolds were through in California. I'm sure she's still battling, on many levels. Just so you know who the good guys are -- if there was a mistake on the SOS website, it was just a mistake.

She's on our side. Totally. I guarantee it.

[Joe Chi Minh]

68. "Provisional ballots stand a smaller chance of being counted than

do regular ballots. And they're not counted until many days after the election, in most cases well after winners have already been announced."

That really beggars belief!!!! I thought you were supposed to have universal franchise: very vote counted. I bleive it's the same wih the servie vote, is't it. They can lay down their lives for a pack of lies, but can't vote. I mean if they're not counted, it's the same as no vote at all, or an annulled vote.

[scytherius]

69. This Californian thanks you! Gotta defeat Prop 8. =) n/t

n/t

[4 t 4]

71. Good work you sure put your

country first. Good luck to you and yours, way to go! I love it when individual's make a difference, you should feel great about this. Nice Job, sincerely.

[emlev]

76. I do. I also wish more individuals would step up, including in the way

I describe in my article, using Standing For Voters to get candidates to take a stand for election integrity. The OpEdNews version of the OP (linked upthread) has perhaps a better description of how to do that and the kind of difference it may make.

Truly, ten minutes of someone's time could set the stage to change the outcome of an election.

Thanks for writing.

[april]

72. Sent this to daughter in CO ..thanx

[horseshoecrab]

74. Good Job emlev!

Great work! :thumbsup:

horseshoecrab

[FLyellowdog]

75. Vigilance is a requirement if we are to stay free! Way to go.