Is anybody else here going to be a Poll Watcher? More important than ever

[NightWatcher]

There's a TeaBagger group that will be out (numbers vary) called "True the Vote" who's self described methodology will be to harass voters to make sure that they really are allowed to vote, by pushing cameras in their face, interviewing, questioning motives and rights.... trying to get legitimate voters to go home without voting, all of course in Dem precincts.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/10/minority-voters_n_1871138.html

But go read it from the source http://www.truethevote.org/d...

Poll watchers will be more important this election than possibly ever before. I did this back in 2008 and helped several people when the workers told them they didnt believe the person was able to vote to vote and have that vote count. I'm of the opinion that provisional ballots dont count and that each voter should have an advocate at the polls to help them get their vote counted on Election Day.

People fought and died for the right to vote, now they need advocates to help protect that right at the polls on Election Day. Plus if you want to talk about feeling good, help a few people exercise their hard earned right. Anyone can make calls or knock on doors, but to be on the front lines is a great way to protect the integrity of the process.....and help Obama get re-elected, since True The Vote has admitted they'll be working in minority (DEM) polling precints.

Volunteer with your local Obama For America office or local Dem HQ. Early voting starts for us Oct 27 and we hope to man all of the hard fought target districts.

[MADem]

1. I'm gonna be a poll driver (again). I will ferry people who cannot drive due to age or infirmity or

lack of a license to the polls.

I would like to poll watch some day, but here there's no real need--we're fairly blue and have OCR ballots. Also, the people checking people in and out will bend over backwards to help people be able to vote.

[Gothmog]

2. I am training poll watchers

I am in charge of the voter protection operations for Fort Bend County which is right next to Harris County (the home of the King Street Patriots). I am attending and observing a poll watchers training sesson being put on by the Texas Democratic Party on Oct 6 and will be holding a couple of training session including one on October 15 (my co-trainers are two of the parties candidates for the court of appeals)

We are expecting True the Vote and the King Street idiots to be very active in Fort Bend county

[Betsy Ross]

3. I'm going to be a poll worker.

When they email you, send you a postcard, then call you, they need you.

[secondwind]

4. I will be poll watching again this year.

[BlueStateBlue]

5. How does one become a poll watcher?

I live in New Jersey, but I have a sister who lives in Columbus Ohio. I'm considering voting absentee in NJ, and going out to Ohio and bunking at my sister's place so I can pitch in for the good guys from November 3 - 6.

Any advice on how to make this happen?

Thanks in advance!

[NightWatcher]

6. Contact your local (or the Ohio) Dem Party

the Parties are the ones lining up the watchers

[brooklynite]

7. There is also an outside group called "Election Protection" looking for volunteers

http://signup.lawyerscommittee.org/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=2983

They were founded in 2004, and are looking for both legal and "grassroots" volunteers.

[SharonAnn]

8. I'm going to be the Election Officer for my precinct.

Guess they can't find a qualified Republican who wants to do it.

I have been an Election worker for 10 years, usually an officer. When the GOP took control of our state legislature and appointed their Election Officials, I thought I'd be demoted to a regular Election Worker.

But, they haven't been able to find enough GOP members to be Election Officials so they still have some Democrats (like me) serving as Election Officers. Guess they want to control things but they don't want to do the actual work.

But at least, I can be sure that our election laws are followed correctly. I get to deal with all the "issues" that arise about voter registration, etc. It's not an easy job, but it's a necessary one.

Anyone who is an Election Worker at least has the chance to observe from the "inside" and report any problems.

[greiner3]

9. I'll be a poll worker;

This election. This will be the 3rd election I have worked.

I live in Franklin County OH, a county that always goes Democratic. However, the suburb I will be at is somewhat Republican leaning. This is offset by the fact that in the previous 2 times I have worked, I have to say, that 90% who vote are pretty WASPish looking. That's not a good or bad thing. I just bring it up because I can't see any Republican operatives wanting/needing to cast aspersions on any voters in my precinct.

If I do find that there are shady characters hanging out (you never know, the polling is done in an elementary school. You know how them Republicans LOVE children!) I'll make sure our 'manager' knows. She's a staunch Democratic and does not take crap from ANYONE.

Of course, she does not influence voters. No, really. I have never heard her say what party she votes in the hearing range of voters. Sometimes a voter need assistance with their ballot. If the voter has started to make choices, a poll worker from each party, Democrat and Republican, needs to look at the screen at the same time to give any assistance. This lady usually goes as the Democrat to help out.

[SoapBox]

10. Election Protection website

For those considering poll work...probably worth checking out their site.

Election Protection

http://www.866ourvote.org/

About them:

"The nonpartisan Election Protection coalition was formed to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to participate in the political process.

Through our state of the art hotlines: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (administered by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law) and 1-888-Ve-Y-Vota (administered by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Education Fund), this website, and comprehensive voter protection field programs across the country, we provide Americans from coast to coast with comprehensive voter information and advice on how they can make sure their vote is counted.

Made up of more than 100 local, state and national partners, this year's coalition will be the largest voter protection and education effort in the nation's history.

Throughout the election process, our volunteers - more than 10,000 strong - will be entering data and information into OurVote live (developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation), an interactive environment painting the most comprehensive picture of election irregularities from the perspective of the voter available anywhere. Unique in the excitement of this political season, Election Protection focuses on the voter - not on the political horse race - and provides guidance, information and help to any American, regardless of who that voter is casting a ballot for.

This site was made possible through generous donations including from the Women Donors Network."