Reply #12: At poll closing time . . . [View All]

[gratuitous]

Everybody in line at closing time is supposed to be allowed to vote. An elections officer will go to the back of the line, inform those standing in line that they're okay to vote, and begin turning away anyone else who shows up.

If you're still standing in line when the polls close, you are supposed to be allowed to vote. Don't walk away. Don't get out of line for any reason. If someone comes up and says it's too late for you to vote, tell that person that you were in line to vote when the polls closed, and insist that you be given a ballot.

If you have no choice but to cut it that close (and I don't recommend it), take along your cell phone -- or borrow one from a friend -- and be prepared to call the local radio station, television station, newspaper, and let them know what's going on. The disruptors seem to vanish when folks with cameras and microphones show up.