Got my poll watching assignment.....I'm in Philly. Here we go.

[msanthrope]

Outside poll watcher.

I am honored to protect the franchise.

[beachbum bob]

1. Wish you and all others safe day in the face of expected

tactics to intimidate..

[msanthrope]

3. We Democrats challenge no voter. One of my proudest moments at the poll

Was helping a new citizen vote for George W bush in 2008.

Yes... You read that right he wanted to do it, I figured out how to get him a ballot.

[pennylane100]

20. Your commitment to the democratic process is admirable.

It is much more principled than mine. I would have tried to sabotage his vote. I know that sounds bad but I operate on the belief that we should always stay at the level of our enemies.

[DLCWIdem]

28. G.W. Bush in 2008?

[pennylane100]

32. Oops.

Sorry, wrong election. I apologize to Romney. He was bad but not that bad. He did not strike the same level of fear into me.

[lastlib]

43. Wasted vote. GWB wasn't constitutionally eligible in 2008,

having already served two terms. But a wasted vote for that pile of excrement was far better than a valid vote for McCain.

[still_one]

2. We are so luckey to have you their msanthrope. Thank you for this

[msanthrope]

7. We protect the vote. For everyone. We challenge no voter, only seek to

Make sure that the constitution is upheld.

[DarthDem]

5. Thank You

You're awesome.

[Bleacher Creature]

6. I got one in Harrisburg.

Also as an outside poll watcher.

Good luck!

[msanthrope]

10. Bring an extra phone battery, and the ability to recharge in your car. nt

[jimlup]

9. Good luck and God speed!

[PCIntern]

16. I have never worked so hard here in Philly

Everyday. I wish us luck here. We need a big plurality. And thank you for your service!!

[lillypaddle]

19. Stay safe!

[Rex]

24. Stay safe! Thank you for your tour of duty.

Hopefully asshole Trump supporters will be civil and accept defeat like human beings.

[nolabear]

26. Thank you so much.

[Gothmog]

30. We have trained over 170 poll watchers in my county

We have 400+ GOP controlled polling places and so they will be hitting one or two places each on election day

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

31. Can you find out who's assigned to Penn Township?

I'm going to help out my mom who had a stroke earlier this year and has other medical issues. She's actually doing pretty well now, but I volunteered to be with her that day so I could have a legally valid reason to vote absentee.

This is my polling place:


The Rs set their tent up just to the left at the bottom of the stairs. They have 3 or 4 of them who then practically block the stairs and push their literature on everyone who passes. If you refuse, they may challenge you verbally. I was asked, "So, you like things the way they are now?!"

Twice I have spoken to the guys at the Dem tent, which is set up about 20 feet back from the stairs. Last year when I approached, a woman and her elderly mother were speaking to him. They were asking why the Rs were allowed to do that. The older woman said she felt intimidated. I spoke up and said I did as well.

The Dem guy said the Rs weren't doing anything wrong and there was nothing that could be done about it. I think that is ridiculous, but, I've emailed the local Dem committee about it and got no response.

[msanthrope]

36. Call the police. Document that you were blocked from entry, and ask the police to report to the

names and addressees from the poll watchers.....in PA state you have the HRC commission...your mom is being targeted for her age. It's a valid complaint.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

48. Thanks, but I think you misunderstand me.

This is not about my mom or her district. She already voted absentee due to her illness. I'm going to her house, a few hours out of my district, specifically so I can legally vote absentee because I find it a bad experience voting in person at my polling place.

I'm not saying they don't actually let you pass. Nevertheless, it feels a bit like running the gauntlet if you aren't an R. It probably doesn't bother most people, but, as I said, I'm not the only one who finds the R's behavior objectionable. I really don't see why they are allowed to be so close to the entrance, even though they aren't totally blocking the way, they are right there pushing their literature on everyone.

Once, they handed me something. I said, "What is it?" The woman said, "Suggestions on who to vote for."

I asked, "Suggestions from who?"

She just stared at me. Finally she kind of gestured over to the R tent still not actually saying anything.

At that point I just walked past her, disgusted.

I don't see how it can be OK for them to be right there, in your face, practically (but not technically) in the way, doing what I believe is called electioneering and which should not be allowed so close to the entrance to a polling place. I just can't see how that can be OK.

[DeminPennswoods]

37. Remember to ask for the form for assistance in the voting booth

Once you get to the sign-in table, there's a form that you can ask for and fill out that will name you as being able to provide assistance to your mom inside the voting booth itself. If it's a GOP controlled area, I'd recommend filling it out so that you'll always be allowed to assist her with voting.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

46. My mom already voted absentee due to her illness.

I'm just going there to help her in general.

The problems I spoke of are not about her or her voting place, it's about mine. I'm saying I'm happy to be out of my distinct, helping my mom at her house (my Dad is away--he already voted absentee as well, both for Clinton), because I don't like the way the Rs behave at my polling place.

[kstewart33]

33. Thank you for doing this.

Especially in Philly. Bravo!

[angrychair]

35. Good luck

Stay safe and remember to have fun.

[brooklynite]

39. Had training today in Cleveland...

Injunction against GOP intimidation overturned today. Fun commences...

[grantcart]

40. Thank you for this

It's for Tuesday, correct? No early voting in PA?

[Warren DeMontague]

45. ...

[Barack_America]

47. Which ward?

[mcar]

49. Thank you!

[Buckeye_Democrat]

50. Don't hold a club! That's SCARY!

Republicans are fine with this, though:

[fierywoman]

51. May God and/or the Light be with you!

[Moosepoop]

53. I want to be you when I grow up.

While you're out there protecting the vote and protecting the Constitution, do me a favor and make sure you protect yourself, OK? Like you said, lots of crazies out there! Then again, if there were to be an altercation of some kind, my money's on you, as a shrinking violet you are not.

I am honored to know you, msanthrope. Truly.