What's going on in New Bedford MA - Bill Clinton there and no one can get in to vote

[Nanjeanne]

According to person who took video:

This is so corrupt!! Mayor of New Bedford, MA campaigning for Hillary and blocking this voting poll!!! No one has come here to vote in the 2 hours I've been here by the door!!

Does anyone know anything about this?

[HooptieWagon]

1. Holy crap.

Someone needs to get an attorney to obtain a court order to keep the polls open longer.

[Jitter65]

110. they just had record turnout. How can that be?nt

[Faux pas]

2. D-E-S-P-I-C-A-B-L-E

This SHIT is beyond disgusting.

[Hortensis]

48. What would Bill Clinton be doing in 1 precinct for 2 hours?

IF there's a hold-up, you can bet there's some kind of breakdown in local organization. I used to be a poll watcher. Lots of things can and do happen. Since ignorance is the order of this thread, I'll offer my own suggestion that an ex-president's visit could easily precipitate such a thing if local incompetents were in charge.

[AtomicKitten]

56. Breaking the law.

“Within 150 feet of a polling place…no person shall solicit votes for or against, or otherwise promote or oppose, any person or political party or position on a ballot question, to be voted on at the current election."

[Hortensis]

81. That's the law for soliciting votes.

No one actually said he did anything like that within 150 feet.

I will give you, however, that the MERE PRESENCE of an ex-president within 1/2 mile is probably disruptive. How many people would choose to see him, or just go watch his motorcade, instead of voting if it came to that? And if that ex-president's wife is on the ballot, his presence anywhere in town, or heck, the county, is probably kind of a de facto solicitation of votes.

But, that's not illegal.

[AtomicKitten]

82. He and the mayor were campaigning for Hillary, and that sure as hell is illegal.

[notadmblnd]

104. I'd like to point out that by having the poll unacessable and obviously pro Clinton, he is

or otherwise promote or oppose, any person or political party or position on a ballot question

actively opposing another candidate and making it impossible for voters to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

[Hortensis]

109. No. He is only obstructing if HE is obstructing.

Decisions or problems of the precinct managers are not his responsibility. I remember when one was closed for over 40 minutes because of computer problems. I had to break rules to come in for updates to try to figure out if it was dirty and needed to be reported. This was 2008 and lawyers were flying around the city from fire to fire. The waiting lines were a few humdred feet long, added to by a whole black upper middle class neigborborhood who had been deliberately misdirected elsewhere and spent over an hour in line in that other place without being informed. This precinct fast-tracked to the front of the line, so only about 3-1/2 hour delay to vote all told.

In any case, if Clinton showed up none of this would have been his doing.

[JimDandy]

89. It is if a single one of those people is wearing any kind of Hillary swag.

within 150 feet of the entrance to the polling place.

[SusanCalvin]

101. And I call Bill walking Hillary swag. He should not have been there. nt

[JimDandy]

105. It actually falls under the "otherwise promote" part of the law.

And Bill, who has run for office many times, knew, or should have known, this law backwards and forwards.

[bkkyosemite]

103. That is a conflict of interest he might be an ex President BUT HE IS THE

HUSBAND OF A CANDIDATE THAT WANTS TO WIN AT ANY COST..(not yelling just emphasizing)

[Capt. Obvious]

58. He's not there for 2 hours

This is at least his 4th precint stop today in MA. Two hours is probably for secret service.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

73. Can't he just let them vote in peace. What a DICK!

[forgotmylogin]

108. Voting?

n/t

[xloadiex]

3. What bullshit!

Isn't this against the law?

[HooptieWagon]

16. I believe it's election fraud.

The Mayor should be arrested and charged.

[NowSam]

4. Voter Suppression

is what I'd call this. Why can't the Clinton's just play fair and let the people decide?

[SammyWinstonJack]

87. Because she'd lose.....or she thinks she would.

[jillan]

5. Omg!

[DCBob]

6. I didnt see Bill in the video.

??

[LisaM]

10. Right?

Sourced by "person who took this video".

If you seriously believe Bill Clinton is out there suppressing votes, well....

[Nanjeanne]

19. Who said suppressing votes? You? It appears that people are waiting for 2 hours to vote because

Bill Clinton is there. Anyone can draw whatever conclusions they want but I don't think it's a smart idea to keep people outside a polling place and now allow them inside to vote. Do you?

http://wpri.com/2016/03/01/bill-clinton-arrives-in-new-bedford-on-super-tuesday/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[LisaM]

23. Okay, whatever. You clearly implied Bill Clinton was deterring voters

but if you want to parse it differently, fine.

[Nanjeanne]

28. Clearly Bill Clinton is there. I asked if anyone knew what was happening in New Bedford

and posted a video by someone who is actually there. I also posted links to articles stating that Bill Clinton was at that polling place with the Mayor stumping for his wife.

So . . . Bill is there (fact). People are on line waiting to vote (fact). Person on video shows people waiting (fact). Person on video says she has been there for 2 hours (I don't know if that is factual - I don't know the person).

And you are saying, what? Bill isn't there? He is. People aren't waiting in line? Possibly the person who posted the video is a liar.

Me? I asked the question. Clearly.

[brooklynite]

53. "Massachusetts could hit record primary turnout--USA Today"

People never have to wait to vote in a high turnout election, right?

[George II]

77. If they're on line waiting to vote, how could he be blocking it?

State (and Federal) law prohibits "electioneering" within a certain distance from a polling place.

This doesn't look credible to me.

[questionseverything]

111. clearly clinton was campaigning within 150 ft

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511386214

or are my eyes lying to me?

don't worry,i realize the clintons are above the law

[George II]

112. Not even close to 150 feet.

[questionseverything]

113. more like 75 ft

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511385409

as i already stated i understand the 1% are above the law

so you should just come out and admit it

it is not as if he would ever be prosecuted

[George II]

114. I saw the video several times, there's no indication of the actual entrance to the polls.

[questionseverything]

116. post 43 by uglygreed has the google street view pic

150 ft would put bill past the street and into the grass

it is all over the net

<shrugs>

[CoffeeCat]

41. No one said that or thought that...except you.

Bill Clinton is in the area and the suggestion was that his security presence, his entourage or his additional traffic--was causing delays.

Ummm...no one was suggesting that Bill Clinton was out in the parking lot physically blocking voters from the door.

Sheesh.

[LisaM]

64. The OP posted a video that said "Bill Clinton Appearance Locking a Voting Poll"!

I feel like I'm in "Alice in Wonderland" and I'm not going to argue about it anymore, because you'll tell me red is black and black is red.

[JaneyVee]

11. Me neither. No one even mentioned him either.

[Nanjeanne]

12. I didn't take the video so I'm assuming the person who did was showing the people waiting. However

Bill Clinton was (is) in New Bedford MA stumping for Hillary today. That's scheduled after he was in Taunton MA

http://www.heraldnews.com/news/20160301/bill-clinton-campaigning-for-hillary-today-in-taunton

[Arazi]

34. Even the mayor being there blocking access is too much

[jillan]

7. Anyone on twitter? Post this! This needs to go viral. #SuperTuesday

[tinkerbelle]

43. Done!

n/t

[Kip Humphrey]

8. I do believe blocking a polling place and preventing voters from entering is a felony. Oh dear.

Oh yeah, I forgot: the Clintons are above the law. Nothing to see here, move along!

[NCTraveler]

20. Can you point me to the minute mark that shows Clinton? Nt

[questionseverything]

80. laws are only for us little people

clearly the clintons are above the law

[Lord Magus]

118. Yes, it is. But no polling place was blocked.

No voters were prevented from entering.

[JaneyVee]

9. Where is Bill Clinton?

[Nanjeanne]

13. In New Bedford MA

http://www.heraldnews.com/news/20160301/bill-clinton-campaigning-for-hillary-today-in-taunton

Perhaps he was inside which is why no one else was allowed in?

[JaneyVee]

15. Perhaps no one was allowed in due to fire marshall capacity.

Hillary is +8 in MA. Im sure Bill is there to literally get people to vote.

[Nanjeanne]

18. Perhaps anything. But people shouldn't be waiting more than 2 hours to vote because Bill is there.

[TheCowsCameHome]

33. You bet he is there to campaign!

Astute observation.

[gcomeau]

51. Sigh...

Hillary is +8 in MA. Im sure Bill is there to literally get people to vote.

If the well known spouse of a candidate is AT A POLLING PLACE trying to get people to vote he is breaking MA election law. So if you're SURE he's doing that...

[getagrip_already]

65. he isn't at a polling place.

He is appearing at the Buttonwood Park Warming house, which is NOT a polling center.

[gcomeau]

66. Uh huh.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2016/03/01/did-bill-clinton-violate-election-rules-venturing-into-polling-location/PH4FIH9jCKYKf6Fzyvfz2N/story.html

Hillary Clinton’s campaign has been “reminded” not to solicit votes near polling sites after President Bill Clinton ventured into a polling location in Boston on Tuesday, the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office said

You were saying?

[jillan]

71. Yes he is - He has been inside of two polling places, that we know of. Link----

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2016/03/01/bill-clinton-massachusetts-voting-laws/

[AzDar]

14. K & R & WTF?

[PonyUp]

17. kick n/t

[kath]

21. WTF. typical Clinton bullshit.

[2pooped2pop]

22. Standard operating procedure for the Clinton's. Manipulate the vote

And if that don't work, cheat.

[HooptieWagon]

24. What everyone is missing.

There's no way campaigning is allowed inside a polling station, so Bill Clinton has no business even being there, if he's even inside. Looks to me like several people need to be arrested for election fraud.

[Nanjeanne]

29. Don't know if he is inside. News just saying he is at polling places greeting people. That's all I

can find.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

78. He shouldn't be within 150 feet. He's a walking Hillary Clinton advertisment.

Nothin' but a cheatah..

[Nanjeanne]

79. Well there is that too!

[retrowire]

25. ummm knr wtf nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. This is the kind of stuff that gives me a warm feeling

about our pretend democracy.

[PonyUp]

31. It gives me a tingle up my leg. n/t

[Phlem]

86. It gives me a tingle down my leg.

Crooks are in control.

[TheCowsCameHome]

27. He showed up at two polling places in the city (Boston), too.

Lots of Clinton controversy this afternoon in MA.

Maybe he lives in Massachusetts now.

[Skwmom]

36. He was also in Las Vegas where they had the Casino polls. n/t

[UglyGreed]

30. Another video from this women

[highprincipleswork]

32. LET THE PEOPLE VOTE!!!!!!!

[LiberalArkie]

35. That is pretty normal with SS. When Clinton voted in 92 with the SS in tow

People outside could not get in the building to vote, people inside could not leave. Everything in limbo until the SS had him in the suburban and away from the building.

Why Clinton is at the polling place is what is interesting because no campaigning is allowed at the polls and he does not vote in MA.

[passiveporcupine]

49. Is there a minimum distance he needs to remain from the polling building?

I don't think he's inside the building. I think he is campaigning outside. It should not be allowed anywhere the crowds are lined up to vote. Are those people lined up to vote, or are they crowds who came out to see him.

Lots of questions.

[LiberalArkie]

55. Each state has a different distance requirement. You can always determine that by the

campaign signs. You can be no closer campaigning by person or sign. And big no-no to be blocking the entrance by any means (even security).

[Capt. Obvious]

61. 150' in MA

They post markers to designate where sign holders can stand.

[passiveporcupine]

91. thanks

I've never actually witnessed anyone campaigning near a polling place. That juse seems obviously wrong to me. But 150' is not very far, especially when you have long lines of people waiting to get in to vote. (and that itself should be fixed...no one should have to wait in long lines to get in and do their civic duty. We have to change this)

There are a lot of people who can't leave their children/job to do this, and elderly or disabled people who just can't physically do it.

I bet if men were the primary caregiver at home, this voting practice would have been changed long ago.

[SheenaR]

37. They will call us conspiracy theorists

Nothing will be done about this. They have blanketed the state and it is clear they want this one bad. New Bedford is a blue collar city whose best days are in the rearview mirror. (I really don't wish to insult any New Bedford citizens, but this is true). Its constituency is a blueprint of the folks Bernie has targeted since day 1.

Not surprised.

No clue if there's wrongdoing here, but there are some videos emerging on twitter that I would put in the category of "funny business"

[xloadiex]

38. This wasn't the only poll

The person who took the pic says it has already happened at 3 different polls.
https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/48hxt2/bill_clinton_appearance_locking_a_voting_poll/

[Phlem]

88. Of course.

Typical Clinton Tactics.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

39. Are all those people in the line to vote?

I gripe if there are seven or eight people in line when I go to vote. I don't think there are that many people in my whole precinct.

If Clinton is gumming up the works, that's criminal.

[xloadiex]

40. Yes I think they are counting on people

to get tired of waiting and leaving. There are also reports of people being told to take off Bernie buttons yet other people have on Hillary shirts.

[elehhhhna]

42. no precinct in the us has more than 2100 registered voters

So why cant we use paper? Utter b.s.

[passiveporcupine]

52. Why can't it be done by mail, like here in Oregon

I would hate to go back to having to stand in lines or take time off from work to vote, like I have in other states.

When it's done by mail, you actually have time to think about your vote and do research if necessary, and you have time to make sure you don't make a mistake. I see no legitimate reasons not to do it by mail.

[dlwickham]

44. There are three presincts at the school

Maybe that's why there's a line

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

45. Ah, same as at my precinct ...

... but two precincts at one entrance, the third at another entrance. The lines are never like in the video.

The good news: in the video, the voters are dressed like it's a nice day, not freezing rain or worse.

[notadmblnd]

107. Last time I voted there were long lines too. I got irritated

It was because there were only a few voting stations which I thought was a piss poor reason to make people wait. We were voting in an elementary school gymnasium. So after I was given my ballot, I got out of line and walked over to the stage and used it as a voting station and before I was done, everyone that was there had found a spot with their ballots and there was no more line.

[Ford_Prefect]

46. The word you are looking for is Electioneering and it is illegal.

[sulphurdunn]

47. Bubba was scheduled to make an appearance

at the Buttonwood Warming House, which is a polling place, which is certainly odd, suspicious, and I would think inappropriate.

[Billsmile]

50. Rules Schmules

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2016/03/01/did-bill-clinton-violate-election-rules-venturing-into-polling-location/PH4FIH9jCKYKf6Fzyvfz2N/story.html?s_campaign=bcom:gigya:facebook

[cannabis_flower]

54. Is this a

Bernie precinct?

[Bubzer]

57. Added to the list.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280129486

[Billsmile]

59. Planned Appearance in Clinton Territory

http://wpri.com/2016/02/29/bill-clinton-to-campaign-in-new-bedford-on-tuesday/

[Tarc]

60. Would you care to provide actual proof that Bill Clinton is preventing voters from voting?

Or is all we're going to get here is a shaky phone video of...people standing in a place?

[NWCorona]

62. Here's some more information on this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511384015#post40

[Ferd Berfel]

63. Rovian - It's what the Right Wing does

[zentrum]

67. They Don't Care.

Her followers don't care. DWS doesn't care. The DNC doesn't care.

For them, this is a coronation—who needs voters?

[KentuckyWoman]

68. Complete and utter crap.

I don't believe for one second you actually think Bill Clinton is blocking people from voting.

Shame on you.

[greymouse]

69. more crooked Clinton stuff

He's clearly jamming up things so that people can't get in to vote. And not just at one polling place either. What scum the Clintons are. And their supporters wonder why Bernie's people will never vote for Hillary.

[dragonfly301]

70. I feel like we'll be reliving the 90's

with scandals, indictments, hearings...after 8 years of no drama Obama I don't want to go back. Give me Bernie!

[sabrina 1]

72. That is shameful Can't someone call the cops or something, to deny people the right to vote

like that has to be a violation of the law.

They sure are acting like desperate people, aren't they?

[KoKo]

85. And....he must have had Secret Service and vehicles for his

traveling entourage taking up parking spaces. That would have impeded the voting. Just his presence would seem to constitute "electioneering."

I guess we will find out more if this hits the social networks.

[TIME TO PANIC]

74. If this is what it appears to be, we need to raise holy hell!

[Duval]

75. What the hell is going on?

This reinforces the idea that the DNC Establishment is totally in for Hillary. Oh wait, they are.

[ChiciB1]

76. I'm Not Accusing The Clintons Here, BUT I've Been Watching

Alternative News right now and many callers are saying they're voting for Bernie. But, I suppose Alternative TV would be more Progressive IMO.

But I'm also hearing some strange comments being made and I AM CONCERNED about what The Clinton Machine is capable of. I live in Florida and am not new to VOTING IRREGULARITIES that generally NEVER can be proved until MUCH later!

3/15 is our Presidential Preference election and we're still using machines which I DO NOT TRUST in any way. And any state that's using them is suspect as far I'm concerned. I been a poll watcher several times and I've always been uneasy by things I've seen. Asking questions are useless too. At least from my perspective and from all that I've witnessed from The Hillary Machine I have a LOT of real worries!

On top of that DWS IS HERE and I most certainly DON'T have anything good to say about her. We've had many, many Bernie Groups formed even in my very Red County, which is unusual before a nominee has been chosen, but I'm already hearing Clinton WILL WIN FLORIDA!

So, I think the Clinton's have been in the BIG GAME longer and even though there's a lot of Bernie support, I'm afraid there may be flipping of votes from the machines here AGAIN! I've hardly seen any Hillary bumper stickers, more Bernie in fact, still have no confidence in the system.

I'll stop for now, but I belong to the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida in my county and the Democratic State Party has already tried to shut us down, but didn't succeed. I won't go into this right now, but the Caucus is trying hard to have our Progressive voices heard.

Whatever the results today I'm going to be skeptical and will wonder about real numbers no matter how it comes out. I'm sure Hillary will do better in the southern states, but TX should be in play for Bernie as MA should also be. I'm already wondering about some poll numbers I'm hearing from there.

Democracy is the biggest name on any ballot this time! Not sure it exists much anymore.

[Nanjeanne]

83. What I don't get is why do Clinton supporters feel obligated to defend this? It's wrong. It would

be wrong if Jane Sanders did it. It's wrong and that's not a partisan thing.

But I forget things that never used to be partisan have become so. First it was just between Dems and Republicans. But now - all of a sudden Clinton supporters don't care about money in politics, don't care about fracking, don't care about healthcare as a right - so sad.

[arcane1]

100. Whatever It Takes(tm)

[PADemD]

84. Can the vote be challenged by the Sanders Campaign?

They have video proof.

[Paper Roses]

90. Any wonder why I am disgusted? Shame on any HC supporters for sanctioning this!

Blatant distraction to deter voters. If this proves to be true, someone should pay the price. Unfortunately, it will be the Sanders supporters.
Hell, I'm sick of this whole political mess. The 'r's are a joke, our party, the D's, should be above these political shenanigans.

I vote but I wonder if it is worth the headache. Someone with big pockets seems to be carrying the day. I'm too old for this crap.
(can you tell I'm upset?)

Go Bernie!

[mrmpa]

92. That's the City I was born in............

I'm pissed. Even though I haven't lived there for 58 years, it's still my home town.

[PADemD]

93. CALL 1-866-OUR-VOTE IF YOU SEE VOTER FRAUD

ELECTION PROTECTION

http://www.866ourvote.org/

[sus453]

94. Voter suppression - right out of the Republican play book

Who'd a' thunk?

[Mark 750]

96. Also the Democrats

https://twitter.com/lhfang/status/704781992357814272

[kgnu_fan]

97. What a shame!!

[magical thyme]

98. per youtube comments, mayor's office and fraud # received many phone calls and Bill was sent packing

This is such an outrage. It's not like it was a warm weekend day, either.

People taking time from work to vote instead forced to stand outside on a cold, raw day.

Fuck the Clintons. Seriously, fuck the narcissistic, lgrifting, aw-breaking lot of them.

[lloebigt13]

99. First post, Longtime lurker

As a Massachusetts resident and longtime Bernie follower, and admirer, I was lucky enough to cast my vote for him first thing this morning. I have been absolutely disgusted by the Democratic Party's actions this primary season, but this is just unreal.
I'm not sure if anyone saw this on the Reddit thread, but someone really did their homework:

https://m.

https://m.

http://m.imgur.com/CNbaBhO?r

http://m.imgur.com/Cbjdhn8?r

http://m.imgur.com/fCP9eoj?r

Those pictures paint an ugly picture. I am thinking if we can flood the emails of local news outlets (Boston Globe, Cape Cod Times, South Coast Today, etc.) maybe somehow it will get wider coverage? Can't hurt...

[dchill]

117. +1

[bkkyosemite]

102. Probably rigging the machine that counts the votes...who knows.

[Merryland]

106. unfreakingbelievable

How dare that arrogant jerk - he should be arrested.

[AzDar]

115. Mass. is going to be close... they felt the need to cheat.