Iraqis in Michigan worried about unfair distribution of polling places

[proudbluestater]

To vote, you have to first register in person, then return another day to vote.

FARMINGTON HILLS -- Concern about participation in the election in Iraq is mounting among members of various Iraqi ethnic and religious groups in Metro Detroit. They fear they may be shut out of the process.

Chaldeans are especially concerned about access to polling places in southeastern Michigan. The four polling sites are not distributed in a way that matches the population, they say.

Chaldeans, who are Christians, say they number about 120,000 in Metro Detroit -- mostly in northern suburbs, including Farmington Hills and West Bloomfield. They say the closest polling places will be in Southfield and Sterling Heights.

Other Iraqis and Iraqi-Americans in the area number only about 15,000, and they live mostly in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. Despite the significantly smaller numbers, those Iraqis -- mostly Shi'a Muslims -- will be near two polling places, both in Dearborn, Chaldean leaders say.

"Somebody really messed this up," said Martin Manna, executive director of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. "They also are not doing enough outreach on the local level so that people will know how to participate, or even whether they are eligible."

http://www.detnews.com/2005/metro/0501/09/E01-54461.htm

Anybody familiar with the Detroit Metro area will know that these folks speak the truth. Farmington Hills and W. Bloomfield are not even close to Sterling Heights. Southfield may be a little closer, but it makes no sense to not have one RIGHT in their city.

Sounds like the US will run the Iraqi election just like they run 'em in Ohio.