Just got my vote stolen in Arkansas

[BigDemVoter]

I just relocated to this shit hole from San Francisco in August-- and yes, it was for a job. I registered my car and got my driver's license at the DMV on September 20, and I also registered to vote. The clerk asked me if I wanted my party affiliation on my card, and I said yes. . .

Well, lo and behold, I never received my voter registration card, and I checked my registration online. . . Whadda you know, I was NOT registered per the computer. . . I called the voter registration office at the court house here in Little Rock and was told that I was on a "reject" list, as the DMV clerk had not received proper instructions from the State office. She had not (1) asked me if I was over 18 (2) if I was mentally handicapped and (3) if I was a felon. . .

Since those questions were not answered (or ever asked!), I was told today that I have no recourse but to vote provisionally and that "more than likely" (that is EXACTLY what that trailer trash idiot said) my vote will NOT count. She reassured me by saying, "well, you'll be able to vote if there's a run-off."

Needless to say, I am FURIOUS. I reported this to the state Democratic headquarters who said they would refer it to their attorneys, as there were evidently more than 1200 people affected by this idiocy. I spoke to some redneck in Senator Mark Pryor's office--the Democratic in name only--and he was worthless.

What is infuriating is that nobody could take responsibility--it is a fuck up of epic proportions, and we, the voters, are paying the consequences. What's worse is that the DMV at which I registered is in the inner city, and I would venture to say that EVERYBODY who registered there is a Democrat. Something stinks in the state of Arkansas, and it's not the ubiquitous cow and pig shit.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. That is disgusting, and wrong. I am sorry and outraged for you.

It does stink.

[JDPriestly]

29. When I register voters, I tell them to check online or call the registrar to be sure they are

registered if they don't receive their booklet.

We all need to remember to do that.

In Los Angeles, the Recorder's office, elections division writes people letters and asks for additional information when necessary but you have to check the boxes saying you are over 18 and a US citizen; you have to fill out your party preference yourself; and, you have to sign and date your form. Those things are minimal as I understand it.

[MissMarple]

2. You may also want to contact an Obama office. They are separate from the state and county Dems.

[BigDemVoter]

3. Thank You

I am so furious that I can scarcely talk. I will definitely give them a call tomorrow after I've (hopefully) cooled off a bit.

[nikto]

36. Do you think...

...You'd still have the same problems if you had registered as a Republican?

[BigDemVoter]

39. I don't know for sure, but I have my suspicions

It was an inner city DMV, and pretty much everybody in line was elderly AND African American. Hmmm I wonder whom they intend on voting for?

I doubt it would have happened in a more "prosperous" (i.e. WHITE) neighborhood.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

59. I live in FL

and was told, when I moved here in 1987, that it was "safer" to register as a Republican. I was a registered Republican in 2008, although I hadn't voted for a Republican since 1980, and that didn't stop me from donating to the Obama/Biden campaign. Once you donate, you are on their "list" and your registration doesn't matter. If I ever feel the need to mail in an absentee ballot, I will again register as a republican.

[nikto]

60. That's a smart policy...

For a progressive living and voting in a red or swing state.

It is a sorry state of affairs, but that's Amurka nowadays.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

61. At least until we rive a stake through the

heart of the GOP once and for all.

[budkin]

4. I'm really sorry, that is bullshit

Hopefully you will have justice

[barbtries]

5. i would be livid too

i'm glad you're not taking it lying down.

republicans are such pigs.

[Cannikin]

6. I'm sorry that you seem to be having no positive experiences here.

I registered and got my card with no problem. I'll be voting tomorrow.

[magical thyme]

7. was it David Schuster who has a twitter account to report voter suppression to?

If they stole yours, they're stealing others. Report it everywhere you can!

[octoberlib]

16. Yes. on Twitter use #EP plus state of occurence #EPAR n/t

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

8. Just tell them you want to vote for Rmoney

I bet they suddenly start helping.

[JohnnyBoots]

9. Moved to FL last year.

Got a new license and registered as an Indy because I thought something like that might happen. It's ashame when you can't trust anyone and need to be pro-actively paranoid with regard to voting if you are a Dem in some states. I hope it works out for you.

[Scuba]

10. Can't we initiate a class-action lawsuit for denial of civil rights and sue the R's til their broke?

[Rose Siding]

11. If you can't vote in AR, can you vote in CA? I mean, I'm working for Elections in WA State and we

permit people who are here from out of state to vote at our Centers. It's a ballot just for the office of president but they let the voter hand write in other offices or ballot measures from their state. We mail it to that state to count as one of theirs.

[BigDemVoter]

14. Unfortunately I cancelled my registration in CA

God, how stupid I was. . . .

[cui bono]

51. Don't kick yourself, that would be a CA vote and we're already going for Obama.

Of course you could have had your vote count in other races... but still, it's not your fault.

[KT2000]

12. That is incredibly bad

and there really needs to be an investigation. It may help for future possible actions, to register your complaint with the Sec. of State for Arkansas.
Also, I sense from your post - you need to move from there.

[Cannikin]

13. I get the same sense...

Being a gay liberal Democrat in Arkansas is not easy. It's definitely not for the timid. You have to be tough and be ready to stand your ground. I took care of my voter registration well over a month ago just in case of any problems like this. Fortunately, I didn't have any.

[ShadowLiberal]

15. This is why we need nonpartisan UN people to run our elections

Incumbent politicians can't be trusted to fairly run an election.

That's how pretty much every other 1st world country does it.

[defacto7]

17. a very similar thing

happened to me when I moved to Utah. It was the last election. I answered all the questions at the DMV and everything was in order. I was a registered Democrat. When I went to vote several months later, they told me I was not on the list or in that precinct. After calling the voting office, they said I was in that precinct but since they had no record there, I had to do provisional which was never counted. There were also 2 other Democrats voting at the same time I was that had the exact thing happen to them.

It's not just Arkansas.

[treestar]

18. What BS. Your driver's license shows you are over 18.

And mentally competent, too, maybe. But the clerk, just because she works there, may not know what she is talking about. The attorneys should be able to determine what can be done. Hard to believe a state's law would allow you to be disenfranchised because some clerk failed to ask you a question. Clerk failing to do their job is government misfeasance.

[VMA131Marine]

19. While I empathize with your plight,

it sounds like you'll ultimately have your voting rights upheld for future elections. Potentially more troublesome is that you were asked if you are mentally disabled. The law protects the right of the mentally disabled to vote provided that they understand what voting means. In Arkansas, a person has to judged mentally incompetent by a court of law to be deprived of the right to vote. I'm curious how this question was worded when you were asked.

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=2008_Primaries_and_Elections&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=84459

[BigDemVoter]

41. I think the question asked if I was mentally competent? I'll need to check to be certain

[RoccoR5955]

20. Perhaps they KNEW that you were

NOT mentally ill, and therefore did not want you to vote for Obama.

[LiberalFighter]

21. What is so difficult about setting up the process that will alert when there is a problem?

Here in Indiana voter registration can be done online and get a printed receipt. If the person entering the data doesn't answer all the questions correctly or forgets something it alerts on the problem. Duh!

[Sophiegirl]

22. This is why...

..I don't register under any party affiliation. My husband wouldn't even talk to a GOTV canvasser. I asked him why and he said that we don't know who these people really are and didn't want to invite trouble.

This is how bad things have become in our country.

[TalkingDog]

23. Here's a toll free number

[BigDemVoter]

37. Just called this number and reported it. . .

THANK YOU!!!!

P.S. The woman I spoke with wanted to know where I had gotten this number, and I was able to tell her-- 'DU"!!

[TalkingDog]

24. Info from the Department of Justice

From the Department of Justice website: Election fraud or intimidation complaints may also be directed to the Public Integrity Section ( 202-514-1412). Public Integrity Section prosecutors are available to consult and coordinate with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI regarding the handling of election-crime allegations.

[Trajan]

25. The subtle nature of bureaucratic fraud

"What form ? .... I didn't see any form ..... "

It sounds like 1200 Democrats were sidelined by this ... state worker ....

How many Republicans were affected ?

[Kteachums]

26. This is election fraud! The person taking the registration was a twit (on purpose)!

[garthranzz]

27. Use the resources posted in response

Do contact the Obama field office. They have lawyers on stand-by to help with these things. Also, contact the local media.

Keep us posted. Some of us can help you network.

[Honeycombe8]

28. I am so sorry this happened to you (and us!). We all know if you'd be a Repub, this wouldn't have

happened.

Next time....don't put your party on it. You'll get marked on their computers, anyway, when you vote in the Dem primary.

[svpadgham]

30. I think it's strange the clerk would have to ask the questions.

The two states I've registered in have those questions on the registration form.

[LittleGirl]

31. same happened to my husband

we went to the DMV to get his license changed when he became a citizen, he took out his middle initial and shortened his first name and registered to vote. Several weeks went by and low and behold, he was not registered. He caught in time before the deadline and we're going to vote together next week. His first vote for the President and all other Dems in this very red state. So very sorry about your loss of voting rights. damn it.

[abumbyanyothername]

42. Congratulations to your husband on his first vote

My very favorite campaign experience was in NV for Kerry in '04, helping an immigrant couple get to the polls to cast their first votes as American citizens!

Hooray. As I drove home to LA, I cried tears of gratitude and pride. And later I was just depressed as I heard returns coming in over the radio.

[LittleGirl]

57. thank you, he's excited about it! eom

[mrmpa]

32. I hate the motor voter law..........

I've been asked each time I renew my license if I want to register to vote. My answer is a vehement "NO", why because I don't trust the process. I am registered in my county via voter registration which I took to the elections office.

[vt_native]

33. I'd like to comment on the term "Trailer Trash"

Sounds like what I'd say in a similar situation, but, with all due respect, you dislike this person because of what they did or didn't do, not because of where they live.

Everybody has to live somewhere, and for some people a trailer is a nice home

My grandfather used to say something to that effect.

[BigDemVoter]

35. I know, I know. . .

Sorry to offend. My brother has already scolded me for that. I was too angry and didn't think before I "spoke." Thanks for catching this, as that was not my intention. I certainly don't want to degrade anybody based on where they live or what they look like. Thanks.

[nikto]

34. All you have to so to vote in the red states...

Is REGISTER AS A REPUBLICAN, but VOTE DEMOCRATIC WHEN YOU VOTE.

That's what I'd do.

[LiberalLovinLug]

38. Forgive my ignorance

I'm a Canuck

But why even give out your party preference when you register? Here it is never even brought up. You are registering to vote....period. In fact I think its illegal to ask anything like that.

What godforsaken reason is there for this disclosure? Is there some kind of benefit I am unaware of? Does the Democratic party get more funding from the DNC as a byproduct of how many registered Ds there are in a given district?

Because from all the horror stories I've read down there about forms being discarded, I wouldn't be admitting which party I lean towards which in effect broadcasts who I would vote for, to anyone, especially anyone involved in securing my right to vote. I get the impression, just from reading from afar, that a lot of Republican activists join up voter registration drives for that reason alone (to hamper Democratic voters)

[abumbyanyothername]

44. The state conducts party primary elections.

So if you don't self-identify as a democrat, you may not be able to vote in your party's primary.

[LiberalLovinLug]

48. Hmmmm OK thanks for the answer

Still it seems odd.

Here, I believe, you join the party of your choice, at any time and which is a completely different procedure, and is only between you and the party. This gives you that same right to vote for candidate reps within your party

To amalgamate the two processes together seems a little risky......for Democrats that is.
I just wonder how many more votes would have gone to Democratic candidates throughout the decades if one wasn't asked this question.

[Don C. Nuttin]

40. A seven-fold response.

1) Welcome to our part of the country.

2) I don't like your tone. You are probably a particularly not-well-received transplant from the big city. I know where you are coming from, though. I am a country boy who graduated from a New York City law school, and was first admitted to practice law in New York. But I came home to the country for my work and family life. You couldn't pay me enough to return to New York. So your toxic response mirrors my own. No doubt you are received in Arkansas as I was received in New York. You are who you are.

3) I have been active in Democratic politics for decades. I know how prospective voters are treated in the "inner-city," as that term applies in this part of the world. You having your vote stolen was no accident. (And I do not mean to imply that the "redneck" or "trailer trash idiot" or whomever it was at DMV was any more than used to rip you off.)

4) Maybe you can make America better by handling Mark Pryor the way you handled Blanche Lincoln. Won't hear from her DINO ass again!

5) Even a jerk like you should have gotten a call from a volunteer attorney for the Arkansas Democratic Party -- very, very soon after you told them what happened.

6) Your story is one everyone should be aware of. Republican voter-suppression efforts are the truly ubiquitous thing across the land this election cycle. The best thing for folks to do to fight for their most fundamental of rights -- the right to vote -- is to vote early. That way if -- as in your case -- there are problems, there is time to vote a provisional ballot or bring a mandamus action, or whatever.

7) Cow and pig shit are really no where near ubiquitous in Arkansas. But on account (in part) of Arkansas, there is plenty of filet mignon and pork loin in San Francisco.

[Don C. Nuttin]

43. Make it eight.

Last edited Thu Nov 1, 2012, 09:51 AM - Edit history (1)

The person at the voter registration office at the court house in Little Rock who told you that "more than likely" your vote would not count WAS personally, actively trying to suppress your vote.

[2Design]

45. tweet obama and ask for help

[riqster]

46. There may not be "voter fraud"

...but there is sure as hell election fraud. Lots of it. The only way to get rid of it is by doing what you are doing: "shine the light, and watch the cockroaches scatter".

[missingthebigdog]

47. You're still this mad, nine days later?

You originally posted a version of this rant on the 22nd:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1601139
I was, and am still, sympathetic. I am disappointed that you have decided to denigrate the populace here instead of embracing the opportunity to learn about (and from) people different than you.

[BigDemVoter]

49. Oh no, this is just the end result. . .

It was supposedly "fixed" 9 days ago. Took off work today to finalize my registration but was unable to--see original post.

[pnwmom]

66. You even took off work to take care of this? How infuriating! nt

[pnwmom]

65. Why shouldn't he or she be? This is an important election,

and s/he's been the target of vote suppression.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

50. Even the act of "registering to vote" mystifies other Western Nations....

To them, voting is a right as a citizen. You don't have to "register".

This is one of the things that came up in "Bush V Gore". We do not have a fundamental right to vote.

The Florida Republicans said it was up to the State Legislature to select the Electors to go to Washington and it is implied they do that by holding an election but they claimed they could ignore the results and select their own.

[Tigress DEM]

52. Every vote counts, so we need every vote counted!! Hope your story ends well! nt

[Duppers]

53. ...

You might also file a complaint with the Arkansas Ethics Commission
http://www.arkansasethics.com/

and send an email to the State Board of Elections:
[email protected]

This is more evidence of fraud perpetrated by Republicans!

[NCLefty]

54. I guess we have to follow-up on the DMV too :/

That's how I registered. It didn't occur to me that they would screw it up, and they didn't, but I guess the advice should be to double-check as soon as possible after you register by calling them or the Dem party. Don't just assume.

[davidpdx]

55. I would guess there are more than 1200 people

Think of how many people just said fuck it and gave up. You are one of the ones who is choosing to fight it. I'd say 1200 is a low number unfortunately. What a crock of shit!

[eridani]

56. Please report to 1-866 OURVOTE

Also see if you can't at least vote for president from your old residence.

[bvar22]

58. Sorry about your poblems.

...just something you should think about:


There are many of us who have moved to this area and not experienced the "problems" you are having.
It is clear that you formed your opinion of Arkansas long before you ever saw Little Rock.
The problem could be with your attitude.

If you are rude, impatient, haughty, whiny, petulant, arrogant, or just an asshole,
you will continue to generate "problems" not just with the people who work at the DMV,
but everywhere you go.
I will caution you to be very careful with the people who prepare and serve your food.


Cheers.

[LisaL]

62. It's probably best not to tell them you are a Democrat when registering to vote.

[pnwmom]

67. I wonder how they decide who votes in primaries there?

Here there's only one ballot, with all the candidates, and you can just pick your top choice for each position, regardless of party.

But in some states you have to be a "registered" Dem or Repub to participate in a primary.

[Liberalboy]

63. Can you...

ask for an emergency ballot from California?

[pnwmom]

64. It's not a fuck-up.

Not from their perspective. They succeeded in doing exactly what they intended to do.