Anybody Bringing A Video Cam To Their Polling Place Election Night ???

[WillyT]

With the Federal Government and local law enforcement gearing up to 'protect' our election, I was wondering if we should monitor our own polling places. I have no idea about shooting video in or around precincts, but these guys in Berkeley have been pretty good about documenting police abuses in the past.

Link: http://www.berkeleycopwatch.org/

They give pointers on how to use video in court cases and such:

Tips For Videographers:

1. Remember that your footage could be used in court. Keep your camera focused on police response to an incident. Also, police will be allowed to watch your footage if it is used in court. In court, they want originals and unedited footage. You don't have to collect anything that might be used against someone.

2. Be aware when you talk while recording. These comments can influence the way people and juries perceive what is happening in the video.

3. Date and time stamp your footage while you are filming.

4. Try to videotape location identifiers (street signs etc.) at some point while you are filming.

5. Label your footage. Be sure to label it with exact date, time and location (if you put the intersection that would be great!)

Just wondering if this is already being done, or if we should consider doing it. I think video footage might have been helpful in 2000, if for nothing other than historical documentation. It's still hard to convince folks about what really happened in Florida 2000!

:shrug:

Story on Fed's election security efforts: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x867030

[TrogL]

1. Check your election laws

Where I'm from (Canada), no video is allowed anywheres near a polling station.

[WillyT]

3. I'm Starting To Look Right Now, But...

1) Didn't most of the voter suppression activities in Florida happen outside the polls? Roadblocks and such.

2) If the Feds and Locals are gonna be surveilling, why couldn't we?

:shrug:

[WillyT]

4. Called The Secretary Of State's Office...

and the woman I talked to did not see a problem with cameras at polling places. She put me through to Legal, where I listened to music for 5 minutes. Lousy stuff too, LOL!

I'll try again tomorrow, but I just remembered...

Every candidate is filmed dropping their ballot into the ballot box, so I can't see this as being a problem. Cameras are there every election!

Will investigate further. That is all.

:silly:

[Braunschweiger Bone]

2. That's a good idea.

Hidden cameras would be best, I think.

[WillyT]

5. Kick !!!

:kick:

[Gold Metal Flake]

6. Don't you mean election MORNING???

VOTE EARLY!!!

There should be a big ass line of Dems when the polls open. Make it look like a close-out sale at Sears or something.

[WillyT]

8. Good Point... My Bad !!!

:hi:

[sffreeways]

7. I don't think I need to where I vote

but I like your idea and I think that it would be a good idea to organize a group to monitor any polling place where the poor, minority, voters near my neighborhood will be voting.

I'm going to do it. Not far from me is a poor neighborhood and I have some good camera equipment.

Thanks for the post.

[WillyT]

9. Thanks SFF, How Are Ya ???

:bounce::hi::bounce:

[TrustingDog]

10. excellent points to pay attention to... n/t