AP: Philly Leaders Object to Voting Monitors

[Norquist Nemesis]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/PHILADELPHIA_HISPANIC_VOTERS?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-10-27-00-17-26

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- City officials and Hispanic community leaders objected Thursday to the federal government's plans to put monitors at city polling places on Election Day, saying those efforts could discourage people from voting.

The Department of Justice this month asked a federal judge to authorize appointment of monitors beginning with the upcoming Nov. 7 election and ending in 2009. The government accused the city of failing to provide sufficient election materials in Spanish and not recruiting enough bilingual poll workers.

But City Solicitor Romulo L. Diaz Jr. said at a news conference Thursday that the federal government could not guarantee him that federal monitors wouldn't follow voters into polling booths. It would be better to appoint local monitors, he said.

The Justice Department said Thursday that monitors would not enter the booths without voter permission.

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[TechBear_Seattle]

1. Isn't this the job of the poll workers?

Why the need to have federal agents -- ie representatives of the tyrant trying desperately to retain power -- at polling places? And why this sinking suspicion that these (no doubt armed) thugs will only be in precincts with a very large Democrat and/or poor and working class constituency?

[Norquist Nemesis]

2. Notice also the term--This election through 2009

hmmmm...

[rkc3]

3. Just have the UN come in and do the job - they asked to be in the

states for the 2004 election. Why not give them the chance now?

[Norquist Nemesis]

5. Seems Gonzo has different plans

This is the first I've heard of the Federal Government taking over poll monitoring in ANY city. Are you aware of any other cities they're doing this in?

Scary stuff.

[bluestateguy]

4. Boy they are really desperate to save Santorum, aren't they?

nt

[Norquist Nemesis]

6. Is there a precedent for this? n/t

[TechBear_Seattle]

9. There is: Black precincts during the "poll tax" and Civil Rights eras

Not exactly a comfortable precedent.

[Demit]

7. Intimidation tactics. We just vote too darn Democratic Party here.

It's a disgrace. They came in a few weeks ago and tried to shut down our longtime polling place because it didn't have a handicap ramp. We don't have anyone in this division who needs one. I'm glad city officials and Hispanic leaders got together to object to this. Monitors. Bah!

[LiberalFighter]

8. Why would fed monitors need to go into booths with voter?

So they can tell voter how to vote?

[mhatrw]

13. To hack the voting machines? n/t

[mtnester]

10. Federal Monitors?

I smell a rat.

[TechBear_Seattle]

11. Why is this not getting recommended?

This should be at the top of the Recommended page: such a plan would eliminate the last illusion of America being a democracy. This year, "observers" in Pennsylvania; in 2008, what? Armed, uniformed militia? Come on, people, wake up!

[jahyarain]

12. it's only been six years but

i sure do miss democracy.