Voters reportedly harassed at polls

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Fri, Oct. 29, 2004

Voters reportedly harassed at polls

Democrats and Republicans have accused each other of intimidating early voters, particularly Haitian-American voters.

BY JAY WEAVER, LUISA YANEZ AND JACQUELINE CHARLES

[e-mail]


Republicans and Democrats are accusing each other of intimidating and harassing Haitian-American voters at early voting polling sites in Miami-Dade County.

In Little Haiti, Democratic activists say Republican observers are demanding that community volunteers speak English when assisting Creole-speaking voters. Republicans counter that Kerry-Edwards supporters are pressuring voters inside the polling place at the Lemon City Library.

In North Miami, a prominent Haitian-American activist said GOP observers tried to kick her out of the North Miami Library, where fellow Haitian-American voters were soliciting her help with the ballot questions.

Republicans, including Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, said the Democrats were the ones who overstepped the bounds.

''We'd be happy if it was just soliciting,'' said Manuel Iglesias, chairman of the Bush-Cheney legal team in Miami-Dade.
'Voters are being threatened, with activists saying, `We're going to tell the Aristide people that you're voting for Bush.' ''
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/10042535.htm
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[aquart]

1. Doesn't HAVA guarantee language assistance?