Know your rights: Election Day observing

[Nobody]

I just returned from election judge training and I learned that at least in my state (MN) any member of the public has the right to show up at the polls after it closes and watch the polls shut down.

I don't know if this is federal or just some states, so you may want to check with your state.

But I would heartily recommend this especially in states where conflict of interest is high risk (Florida 2000 anyone?).

You don't need to justify yourself other than being a concerned citizen. You don't need a letter from a campaign or from the Secretary of State. You don't need any credentials of any kind.

Again, if you don't live in Minnesota, your mileage may vary. But please check this out for your state.

This year I want clean elections across the nation. No electile disfunction and conflicts of interest trumping everything else.

[Melodybe]

1. It's like that in MS and tonight we will start getting volunteers

[enough]

2. Good idea, Nobody

I'm going to that same training next week (in PA) and I will ask the question. This is something everybody should know.

[YellowArmBand]

3. Monitoring Polls While Voting - True Election Day Observing

This is a bit of thread jack and my apologies beforehand, but we are starting a movement to wear Yellow Arm Bands both before, during and after the voting to help create a large VISIBLE indication of what the voting results SHOULD look like.

We don't trust the polls and we don't think the president has NEAR the support that is being reported. So if we can get enough people to wear Yellow Arm Bands we can both show the true level of support before the voting and show what the results should look like AFTER the voting.

We certainly have that legal right and one of the only chances to see what the results should be no matter the tampering that is possible and likely.

Early stages and not much time, we are looking for support so please come check us out

www.yellowarmband.com

[Nobody]

4. Check the laws in your state before doing this

In MN we have strict rules against anything that might be construed as campaigning, influencing, or intimidating voters. So if you're not voting, vouching for someone, or doing any other kind of business at the polls, you can't hang around while the polls are open.

Exceptions: You're working at the polls, or you're a designated challenger with the appropriate credentials.

Otherwise you must stay a minimum of 100 feet away.

Your mileage may vary. Check the laws in your state.

Please don't wear the yellow armbands while voting. With the anti-Bush message, it would be sonsidered campaigning and you'd be asked to remove it or cover it up. Same as a Kerry/Edwards button or Tshirt. Before and after voting, go ahead.

Note: I don't trust polls either and I wish (and have wished many times in many years) that no polls would be taken. Too many people have latched on to the horse race metaphor and treat elections as if they're picking a winner, not choosing who they want to represent them.

I would strongly encourage people to know what the laws are in their states. If the law allows observers during the voting, go for it. If the laws forbid it, please don't. But you may be legally allowed to watch the polls close. This is important because during voting hours, none of the cast ballots are accessible. It's afterwards that tampering is most likely and it's afterwards that you can come in and watch us close things down.

Minnesota has a lot of safeguards in place to make sure that tampering is damn near impossible. I'd like it to be that way in all states and I'd most certainly like it to be that way here as well.

on edit: clarifications

[YellowArmBand]

5. Yellow Arm Bands At Polls

That's great advice and I have heard it more than once now so it will be heeded - thanks for the reminder.