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This morning, I decided to open a poll, and check in on polling locations for the Cazayoux campaign. The polling locations I was given were along Plank Rd., a majority African American area in Baton Rouge. The polling locations I was given were a mix ... 2 were quiet, and the lines moved swiftly all morning, each having over 150 voters by 10 AM.
The other two locations - the old North Highland polling location and a school off of N. 17th Street - were packed with over 200 people waiting in line at both locations when I arrived there shortly after 6 AM. Both locations have 2 precincts ... and a precinct has roughly 600 to 700 voters on the rolls in Louisiana.
I didn't notice any shenanigans going on ... and I spoke with Elections Commissioners and voters at all locations. The worst thing I saw was a young female voter being asked to sign an affidavit affirming that she still lived at the address she was registered at, since the address on her Driver's License didn't match her registration address. She was allowed to vote on the machine, however, so it just gave her some anxiety.
I've heard from another Election Protection volunteer that some folks are being turned away from the polls - about 20 - at Glen Oaks High in Baton Rouge. The thing that is depressing about it is that they are NOT being offered the opportunity to cast a provisional ballot by the Elections Commissioner at that location. This is obviously against the law. I hope that said Elections Commissioner at that location is NEVER allowed to work another election, PERIOD. One of those turned away stated that he had voted in the last three elections at Glen Oaks High, so I am curious as to why he is no longer on the voting rolls. The campaign is working on correcting the situation for the rest of the day ... I hope it is rectified so NO ONE else has to deal with that.
I received an email from David Gereighty, a former candidate in LA-01 in 2006, about shenanigans in Jefferson Parish:
Unfortunately, I witnessed a voter denied the right to vote in Jefferson Parish this morning. I explained the proper procedure to the poll worker who refused to abide by easily understood state law regarding provisional ballots.
I then reported this to Jefferson Parish election officials who verbally instructed the poll worker on proper procedure. Unfortunately, by this time the voter had left the polling location, precinct 31 in Jefferson Parish.
This is a failure of the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court, Jon Gegenheimer, to properly execute his job. I am going to formally demand the removal of the poll workers of precinct 31 for any future elections and a written procedure from Jon Gegenheimer on the proper training and assessment of all Jefferson Parish poll workers.
Jefferson Parish is one of the most Republican districts in the state, if not the nation, so I am NOT surprised at this at all.
I early voted, thank God. What are your election experiences like, Louisiana? Put 'em in the comments! |
