Challengers in Ohio?

[Goathead]

I just heard the Secretary of State of Ohio talking about "challengers" at the polls. Can someone please explain to me what a "challenger" is in this election?

[Downtown Hound]

1. A hired goon that will confront people

and challenge them that they are eligible to vote. If you encounter any of these people, walk right the fuck by them and call your local Democratic HQ. They have no legal authority over you, and you don't have to give them the time of day.

[Goathead]

2. That's what I thought...

Thanks, that's what I thought, but how are they going to challenge people? Demanding I.D., proof of citizenship or what?

[Downtown Hound]

3. Those, and whatever else they can come up with

Basically they just try and intimidate people. And since most people are ignorant, often it works. They think they're being challenged by someone that has the legal authority to do so. So they buckle and cave in. Which is why if you do see any, it's important to report them so they don't intimidate someone that doesn't know any better.

[lynintenn]

5. did he say they had challenged 38,000 or 3,000

[Downtown Hound]

6. I don't know numbers, sorry.

[Jack The Tab]

4. I am going to spend an hour or two at my polling place

I live in an inner city neighborhood and I want to see if some goon shows up. I actually live a few blocks down from Kucinich's Cleveland headquarters, and the area is heavy, heavy dem, so I don't expect too much shit from Freeper types

[POAS]

7. A little clarification

In OHIO there is a law, never before used, from 1953 that allows political parties to register challengers with the BOE. The Republican party invoked this law and has registered thousands of challengers.

The GOP challengers will be stationed immediately at the sign in desk of precincts. Their challenges will be official but can only be based on 4 criteria:

1. Age (under 18)
2. Citizenship
3. Residency in the State for 30 days
4. Not a resident of the precinct

When a challenge is made the voter and the chief election official at the precinct will move out of earshot (min. 10 feet) and the voter will be asked several questions depending on the kind of challenge being made.

If the questions are answered satisfactorily, the voter will be allowed to vote. If not (it gets a little fuzzy here, depending on the state of court rulings) the voter may be able to cast a provisional ballot.

[OhioChick]

8. Right on the Money.....

The last that I heard, the Repubs have 3000+ ready in the state of Ohio, whereas the Dems have approximately 2000. From what I've been led to believe, minorities will be challenged, as well as those that can't speak/read English very well. They're looking to intimidate, as this will likely be done in poorer, highly Democratic areas......

[POAS]

9. They also aim to delay and discourage

While the dems only have 2000 registered challengers they will have most of the rest covered by poll checkers/watchers. (I am going to be a poll checker).

We will have phone access to a phone bank of lawyers should we need them.

It should also be noted that while democrats will have "challengers" it is not part of the plan to actually challenge any voters, the purpose will be to assist those challenged understand their rights and to be the democrats eyes and ears on the ground. The republicans on the other hand will be actively challenging voters' rights.

[OhioChick]

14. Right Again....

I should've made myself more clear on the Democratic challengers, as you have. They won't be around to intimidate/challenge but instead to assist those who are.

[meow2u3]

11. Maybe Dems ought to invoke that law

and challenge Repuke voters who use fake ID's to try to vote.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

10. The paper here in Dayton has been really clear on this...

"What to Expect if You Are Challenged"

the ulitimate decision will be up to the pollworkers.

[waywest]

12. Can citizens demand identification?

From "challengers"?
We need names and addresses.

[Ms. Toad]

15. The challengers are registered

I believe by precinct, so it should be easy to find out names.

Since most of the registration challenges were enjoined, I would expect the Republicans to challenge anyone whose registration they were barred from having their pre-election hearing on.


Any challenged voter is still entitled to cast a provisional ballot.

[Sara Beverley]

13. I hope the Dem monitors ask for ID from those white-Christian-funddie-

looking people. They could be shipped in from Texas.

[OhioChick]

16. I also heard that

'they' were going to challenge those that haven't voted in years.....(and are in fact already registered)