The Collin County Observer™

I was an election judge during the primary in 2008, and it was a mad house. Towards the end of the day we had people rushing to one line or the other, and after the Republicans close the polls, several voters were standing in the Democratic line, and we could only offer them a provisional ballot. Conversely, there was an African American who came in, saw the Republican booth closed (not realizing the Democratic line was alive and well) and announced how dare we fail to direct her to the Democratic line knowing that she'd want to vote for Obama. Things get harry in this types of elections - and everyone is on edge.

Primary elections, especially early voting, where an often very elderly person is supposed to correctly code a electronic key card, are even more complicated since you have Republicans and Democrats voting with dozens of ballot styles. To credit the poll workers, I don't think they are actively trying to discriminate against anyone, they're just making sure people are getting what they ask for.

Sure, this results in a few voters being asked "are you sure" a few times, but let's face it - there are historical trends in minorities voting in one primary over another. Those statistics aren't disputed, and I think its just a over cautious attempt to overcome the norm and ensure voters are getting what they want. I don't think this is a case of disenfranchisement of a voter - I really don't.

If anything, this should be seen as a good thing - that people are crossing lines from R to D and from D to R. I just hope people don't take offense when a 75-year-old poll worker makes double sure. It's not out of discrimination, but perhaps rather surprise.

An interesting article is in the DMN right now, entitled "Majority of Hispanics are Conservative."

Political tides are changing, and it just takes time to change habits.

It is clear what is happening here. People are worried that dems might switch over and vote republican to get level headed people in office and not the nutjobs of Keith Self/Wayne Richard. And republicans (not me) don't like that. I find that interesting, isn't that what Wayne Richard did in 2008...operation chaos? If dems were smart, they'd be flooding the republican primary. I'd take all their votes if it meant Keith Self would leave this county.

I am caucasion and I voted the first day of early voting and was asked whether I was voting republican or democrat. Didn't bother me at all that I was asked that question. Really? Its just a question, whether it is asked once, twice or three times.

I want to clarify the facts from my experience. There were two lines at the 2008 primary - one for Republicans and one for Democrats. This particular voter came in, and of course, the Republican line was shorter. She came to our line, we signed her up, and between the time she entered the building and we gave her the ballot, 7:00 p.m. passed, so we began closing up. When she realized that she had signed up to vote Republican, it appeared that she might not be able to vote (even though she could have since she was at the polls before 7:00 p.m.). That's when she became frustrated.

Anyway... I just don't think there is ill intent here. Also, isn't there large Republican turn out this year? That might also lead to confusion.

I'm sure the white Republicans don't see a problem.Why would they.?t's only ill will or a problem if it affects them.

Collin County Voter - during early voting, there is one line and they are supposed to ask - ONCE. On election day, there are 2 lines, just as Collin County Citizen pointed out. It should not bother anyone if they are asked once, but the point of the story (and the frustration of the people being interviewed) is the question being asked more than once - insinuating that the voter requested the wrong ballot... and if that's the case, that's just plain wrong.

We all have the right to pull our own "operation chaos" and vote in either primary, however, if you do this, you are locked out of the run-off in your own party... i.e. if you vote Democratic and then there is a Republican run-off, you cannot vote in the run-off (and vice versa). You will also be identified as a voter for that party (show up on their lists, get mail pieces, phone calls, etc., from the party you infiltrated, etc.). But, it is your right to do so. I wouldn't recommend it if you plan to run for office in the future, because you will be land-blasted by your opponent(s) for crossing the party line, just as Wayne Richard was for his participation in operation chaos back in 2008.

JMHO

Collin County Voter-were you asked 3 times? Of course racism doesn't bother you because you have never been a victim of it. Racism has no place in our politics and our election judges need better training. If someone says they want to vote in the Republican primary, they should be not be repeatedly questioned about their decision solely based on the color of their skin. Polling places should always stay open for voters who made it in the door by closing time. It should never be assumed that a minority must therefore be a Democratic voter.

I was asked twice. It should not bother anyone. I think the issue becomes from what I have heard is if the clerks are argumentative with the person wanting to vote.

I have also heard that by default the ballot will go to Democrat ballot if a button is not pushed or something. I have heard this might have been an issue at some locations.

I saw these clerks are awesome and just be patient. If you get the wrong ballot, raise your hand and the judge or clerk will assist.

As a newly trained election judge and someone who voted in the primary already, I will give you my observation. In the polling place voting, there are two lines, one for Republican voting and one for Democrat voting. Pick a line when asked and it is pretty simple that the clerks and judge with that line are all the same party.

This is about the primary election. Everybody votes from the same line. The registration clerk asks as they print a label for the voter which party. Next person down is still working with another person and verifies again which party because they must put the sticker for signature on the correct form. Get that done, and standing off to the side is the person that will encode the ballot card so that the right party and right precinct ballot comes up.

And yes, with a lot of people in line and mostly clerks over 50, or maybe 60 or 70 years old, getting it right requires checking and rechecking. The worse thing would be to have one party voter get the wrong ballot cast their vote and then complain that it was the wrong party.

And much to some Republican chagrin, people who want to have a vote in the local election almost have to vote as a Republican in the primary since Democrats only get about 35% in the general election in Collin County. And for that, no one should complain. They would rather vote for local than their choices in the State democrat primary but the choices there are few. In November, they can vote on either side of the ballot.

So Republicans who complain about Democrats voting in "their" primary need to understand that elected officials should be elected by all and we should embrace that part of the democracy.

We saw in 2008 when the Democrats had an exciting ticket how the normal "local" voters voted in their own primaries, plus a few pumpkin head guided Republicans.

And a voter in the primary who is asked which party to make sure no mistakes are made out to be proud of the system instead of running off and ocmplaining about racism. These people give their time FOR DEMOCRACY with a gracious $8.50 / hour of long long days of dealing with the public and complying with election law so they are not fined.

We know these complaints were about publicity because they cried to the media first. Wouldn't a normal complaint be to the election judge or election headquarters? Would you complain to FOX4 over a bad Walmart employee or to the Walmart manager? Give it a break.

There have been more than just these 4 people who were featured on Channel 8 news. Some were told they could not vote Republican because they voted Democrat in 08.
I have worked the polls for over 15 years and have to only ask once.....are you voting Republican or Democrat? Not three times!