2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumTrump's Call For a Flood of Poll Watchers Could Disrupt Some Polling Places
Pro Publica and
Mother Jones
September 14, 2016
"In all but four states, private citizens can challenge someone's right to cast a ballot on or before Election day.
In most places, the burden of proof then falls on the voter."
Donald Trump's campaign website implores voters to
"Help Me Stop Crooked Hillary From Rigging This Election" by signing up as observers.
He warned people at an August 12 campaign event in Altoona, Pennsylvania, that Clinton could win the state only by cheating, and asked supporters to "go down to certain areas and watch and study, and make sure other people don't come and vote five times."
Less than a week later, Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, encouraged a crowd in Manchester, New Hampshire, to help ensure a fair election by serving as poll watchers because "you are the greatest vanguard for integrity in voting."
No one knows how many of the Republican nominee's supporters will heed his call to stand in polling places on November 8 and challenge some voters' credentials - but past experience suggests that a wave of partisan poll watchers could create confusion and discourage people who have a right to cast ballots.
Read More:
http://www.propublica.org/article/trumps-call-for-a-flood-of-poll-watchers-could-disrupt-some-voting-places
TeamPooka
(24,279 posts)onecent
(6,096 posts)duncang
(1,907 posts)His website has a sign up where you pay him to be a "official" poll watcher.
onecent
(6,096 posts)kimbutgar
(21,236 posts)yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)kimbutgar
(21,236 posts)Cheeto's thugs will be threatening.
Gothmog
(145,751 posts)Back in 1982, the RNC engaged in voter intimidation tactics and were sued by the DNC. A consent decree has been kept in effect since 1982 and will be invoked http://electionlawblog.org/?p=85289
(e) refrain from undertaking any ballot security activities in polling places or election districts where the racial or ethnic composition of such districts is a factor in the decision to conduct, or the actual conduct of, such activities there and where a purpose or significant effect of such activities is to deter qualified voters from voting; and the conduct of such activities disproportionately in or directed toward districts that have a substantial proportion of racial or ethnic populations shall be considered relevant evidence of the existence of such a factor and purpose
If this activity violates the consent decree, the DNC can ask for it to be extended for up to another 8 years.
bluestateguy
(44,173 posts)I will protect myself from vigilantes who threaten me.
I'll just leave it at that.
liberalhistorian
(20,822 posts)why any private citizen is legally permitted to challenge another private citizen's vote and why it is then up to the voter to prove wrong whatever bullshit assumption/challenge such private citizen has pulled out of their ass.
Second, I'm not just worried about crazy vote challengers and so-called "poll watchers", although that's certainly something to be worried about. I'm also just as worried about all the crazy intimidating stunts Trumpsters will pull, especially in heavily-populated areas. Drumpf has stirred up the shit in people such as I have never before seen in any American election and it is truly disturbing and frightening. I remember how nasty Bush people were in 2000 and 2004, but that's child play next to what the Trumpsters are and will be capable of.
Although, since I live on a remote indian reservation in the West, I'm not all that concerned about dealing with Trumpsters at my own polling place. Trump hates Indians and has worked against them for decades, and any Trump people around here will be quickly dealt with if they try any harassing or intimidating tactics. My family in Ohio, however, likely won't be so lucky, especially given Ohio's pivotal status.
red dog 1
(27,889 posts)As far as "intimidating stunts Trumpsters will pull" on election day, I, too, am worried about that.
These Trump-lovers are dangerous as hell, and they will do anything to get their man elected (They also like to punch 69-year-old protesters with oxygen tanks in the face)
Here are two websites with good info on election fraud, which the GOP loves to do.
1) Bev Harris wrote a great book about ballot tampering:
"Black Box Voting: Ballot Tampering in the 21st Century"
Her website has a lot of good info on the subject
http://blackboxvoting.org/
2) Brad Friedman writes about ballot fraud on a regular basis
http://www.bradblog.com