BBV: Colo. limits number of poll watchers

[Andy_Stephenson]

DENVER — Secretary of State Donetta Davidson issued strict guidelines for poll watchers across the state Thursday, limiting each party to one person per station and banning outside groups from sending out teams of lawyers to monitor the closely watched election.

Among the new rules Davidson said she is still considering is a ban on the use of cell phones by those monitoring the election.

"We'll contact our county clerks and discuss this issue," Davidson said, noting cell phones can be used to take pictures and record conversations surreptitiously.

http://www.bouldernews.com/bdc/election/article/0,1713,BDC_16316_3272984,00.html

[Eloriel]

1. Wouldn't want transparency, now, would we?

These people are unbelievable.

[Andy_Stephenson]

2. Seems as if she does not...

want us watching what is going on.

This heads up came from one of the cleanup crew in Co. I just got off the phone with her and she is not too happy with this decision.

[AndyTiedye]

4. Expect The Same In Florida, Ohio, and Every Other State...

...where the repubs run the show.

[Andy_Stephenson]

3. Kick

http://www.blackboxvoting.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=69&forum=DCForumID156

[Andy_Stephenson]

5. Can anyone see this link?

http://www.blackboxvoting.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=69&forum=DCForumID156&omm=0&viewmode=threaded

[harmonyguy]

6. Got it !! nt

[Andy_Stephenson]

7. Bizzare....

Bev cannot see that link.

[ParanoidPat]

8. This is what I get.....

.....:(

SCRIPT ERROR!!! There was an error in processing your request.
Following is the error message:

* System Message: No such file or directory

Please notify the administrator of this site.

Thank you.

[Andy_Stephenson]

10. WTF...

I see it just fine...can click it...but your the third person that cannot see it.

[annabanana]

11. here's another article about it:

from the Denver Post:
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~64~2483340,00.html

[TrogL]

9. This is normal

If by "polling station" you mean a single precinct (or whatever they're called down there) ie. one ballot box. Anything else would be bordering on silly. If they mean one per building ie. multiple precincts, then that's not right - one person can't keep track of it all.

I also agree that you can't have outsiders (ie. lawyers) wandering around. However, there's a perfectly good workaround - use lawyers as campaign workers.

[Virginian]

12. Better yet, Use Lawyers as Poll Workers.

Election officers are what they are called in my County. Have them there as County reps to make sure that nothing is amiss.

[Kanary]

13. This is where the Constitution works against the good of the country

By leaving all decisions regarding voting up to the localities, we get into problems like this.

It would be much better to have uniform Federal standards, but the Constitution prohibits it.

:mad:

Kanary

[Virginian]

14. To give her the benefit of the doubt...

Cell phones can take pictures... Everyone is entitled to vote by secret ballot. Some places have Social Security numbers on the pollbooks and that would get into a privacy issue.

I am basing the following on my previous instructions. The rules may have changed for this election, but I don't think so.

Our Poll watchers are limited to 0ne person per party at each poll book table. That could be interpreted as one per party per station. More than that would be disruptive to the process.

Poll Watchers must be registered to vote in this county and must have an authorization form signed by the (county) party chairman or by a candidate.

Poll watchers May not campaign or exhibit any type of campaign material inside the polling place.

Poll Watchers contacting their campaigns mus make calls outside the 40 foot Prohibited area. (That is the same 40 foot area that is a no-campaign zone.)

Poll watchers may not hinder or delay any Election Officer or qualified voter.

Poll watchers may sit behind, but not at the registration (poll book) table.

Most of all:
If you have rules for one party, you must have the same rules for both parties. As disruptive as the other side is, think of how they could impact voters if these rules were not in place.