Ohio: Can lawyers get an injunction to stop harrassment

[Eric J in MN]

of voters by Republican "challengers" from stopping the line of voters from progressing?

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/23/politics/campaign/23vote.html?ex=1256184000&en=649b5c012f3d326b&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland

Can people in Ohio vote early to avoid long lines, slowed by harrassment?

Ideally, the challenger-and-voter would step aside so the line can progress.

[farmbo]

1. Probably can't get an injunction but THOUSANDS of Dem lawyers

...will be working...pro bono... on election day.

We'll give as well as we get.

[Eric J in MN]

3. The main thing is to keep the line moving, and not let a Republcian

halt the whole line while harrassing someone.

[whirlygigspin]

2. voters bill of rights, print it out and use it as a weapon

Take a copy of the Ohio voters bill of rights with you to the polls, or distribute them outside to people, post them at all polling places.

You have the right to vote—it’s the law, and you have the proof in your hands!

You have the right to vote WITHOUT BEING INTIMIDATED!
§§ 3599.06 3599.01(A), 3599.05, 3599.06

You’ll notice letters and numbers after each of your rights listed below-those codes tell lawyers and poll-workers where to find the actual Ohio statute that protects your right to vote!

These rights are guaranteed to properly registered and qualified voters. You have the right to bring this bill of rights with you into the polling area-

if you feel your rights have been violated, please call the Election Protection lawyer hotline toll free: 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

If you got in line or arrived at the polling place any time between 6:30 a.m. OR 7:30 p.m. Ohio Code § 3501.32 (A) (2003)

WITHOUT PRESENTING ANY IDENTIFICATION after the election officials verify your signature. If you cannot sign the register, you may still vote after you present proper identification to verify your identity. § 3505.18

BY PROVISIONAL BALLOT if your name is not on the list of registered voters, or you are a first time voter who registered by mail and you do not have identification and you did not include a copy of your identification with your application. Help America Vote Act of
2002, 42 USC 15482

At that same assigned polling place, IF YOU HAVE MOVED WITHIN THE SAME PRECINCT OR CHANGED YOUR NAME. § 3503.16 (B)(1)

BY PROVISIONAL BALLOT at the polling place in the precinct in which you currently live or at a site designated by the board of election if you have moved within the same county, moved from one precinct to another, or changed your name within 30 days of an election. §§ 3503.16 (B)(2), (G)

At a site designated by the board of elections or by an absentee ballot if you are unable to appear in person, IF YOU HAVE MOVED TO A DIFFERENT COUNTY within 28 days of Election Day. §§ 3503.16 (C), (G)

WITHOUT THE FIVE-MINUTE TIME LIMIT as long as one other machine is not in use or no one is waiting in line. § 3505.2
With a new ballot IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE AND “SPOIL” YOUR PAPER BALLOT. You cannot receive more than three ballots. § 3505.23

With help from anyone except your employer, an agent of your employer, or an officer or agent of your union IF YOU CANNOT READ OR WRITE, ARE BLIND OR OTHERWISE DISABLED. § 3505.24

WITH ASSISTANCE FROM WITHIN THE VEHICLE THAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE POLLING SITE OR AT THE DOOR OF THE POLLING PLACE IF YOUR POLLING PLACE is naccessible to you due to a disability. § 3501.29(C) § 3501.29(C)

IF YOU ARE IN JAIL as long as you have not been convicted of a felony OR if you have been released from prison for conviction of a felony, even if you are still on probation or parole. §§ 2961.01, 3503.21

WITHOUT BEING INTIMIDATED or forced to vote for someone you do not wish to vote for. §§ 3599.06 3599.01(A), 3599.05, 3599.06
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE THIS BILL OF RIGHTS INTO THE VOTING BOOTH WITH YOU.

download/print pdf here:

http://www.lawyerscomm.org/ep04/ep0920/vbr.html

also available for other states:

http://www.lawyerscomm.org/ep04/ep0920/vbr.html

Send it to everyone, print copies like your life depended on it and pass them out!

[Eric J in MN]

4. thanks (nt)

nt

[Eric J in MN]

5. kick

kick

[crispini]

6. Don't get the "challenging" thing.

Here, pollwatchers are allowed to be inside the polling place, but only at the discretion of the election judge. A pollwatcher is allowed to say something to the election judge, but ONLY to the election judge, not to the voter or any of the clerks. AND, the pollwatcher is there totally at the discretion of the judge. If the pollwatcher becomes difficult or annoying the judge can throw the pollwatcher out.

(Admittedly, then ANOTHER pollwatcher can come in and watch, but the same pollwatcher cannot come back in.)

And what are all these "challenges" going to be based on? I mean, down here, 95% of voters who show up are pretty straightforward voters. They're in the book -- stamp -- vote. There might be a FEW problem cases, but you pull them aside, figure it out on the side with a call to the elections office, and voting goes on in the meantime. Worst comes to worst, you take down all the info and they vote a provisional ballot (yes, yes, I know, BALLOT OF LAST RESORT), and then the elections office sorts it out.

All I know is, any asshole pollwatchers (as opposed to nice pollwatchers) show up at my polling place, they are OUT ON THEIR ASS. An election judge has all the authority of a district judge for one day. WHOMP! There it is! :D