Had some trouble voting tonight in NJ

[BlueStateBlue]

When I arrived at my polling place, I was informed that they had run out of sign-in books for Democrats in my district and that more should arrive in five minutes. Then I heard the poll workers discussing the issue - they had been requesting more sign in sheets for more than an hour. They called several more times and were hung up on! Apparently, they had the same problem in five other polling places in my town (Clifton).

The workers then were arguing among themselves, and started handing out provisional ballots. I went over and read the NJ Voters Bill of Rights aloud. "You have a right to vote in the voting booth if your name appears on the voter rolls (yes), and you live in the district (yes)." I stated loud and clear that I would be voting in the booth, thank you very much. I don't think a single person actually handed in the provisional ballot.

Then the workers got the bright idea that we could just use the Republican sign-in books. Needless to say, that went over like a lead balloon!

After 20 minutes or so, and hearing the frustration of the poll workers, those of us waiting (25 or so) decided to take matters into our own hands. One man called the Barack Obama campaign headquarters; they said they were sending a lawyer over. We called around and got the mayor's home phone number - got him on the horn, and he called the city clerk. Miraculously, the sign-in books arrived 10 minutes later. Good thing, because we were getting ready to call the newspaper and tv station.

All told, I had to wait about an hour.

[CoffeeCat]

1. Way to solve the problem!!!

Kudos to those who made those phone calls, including yourself, are true patriots.

Everyone knows that funny business like this happens. It might have been an honest
mistake. However, people are not tolerating any shenanigans. As well they shouldn't.

We had stuff like this happen in Iowa. The turnout was unprecedented, and it sounds
like you guys are experiencing the same.

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rock on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope I don't blow an artery tonight!!!!!!!!!

:)

[PhiBetaCretin1]

2. My neighbor had a problem in Princeton too

Seems she tried to vote on the machine but it wouldn't take her vote. Something about it had her stuck voting Republican. The workers proposed some work-around that involved crossing out her name on some printed form and switching with another Republican voter. (Obviously I don't have the details straight, but it was clear there was a mix-up that certainly could have proven an advantage to the Republicans.) She insisted it be worked out clearly; she probably got to vote the way she was supposed to in the end, but luckily she's a suspicious-enough Dem that she wasn't hoodwinked.

Scary how this can get messed up!