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Voter fraud? Work polls« Thread Started on Oct 4, 2006, 12:1

Daily newsbrief journal for October 2006, also see http://www.usdemocrats.com/brief for a global 100-page perpetual brief and follow twitter @usdemocrats


Voter fraud? Work polls« Thread Started on Oct 4, 2006, 12:1

Postby admin » Fri Jan 27, 2012 10:29 am

Voter fraud? Work polls« Thread Started on Oct 4, 2006, 12:19am » --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Oct. 2, 2006, 6:48PMVoter fraud? Work pollsread at source: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/edi ... 45.htmlFOR those who are worried about election fraud, their best defense is to work the election. Although it certainly isn't perfect, there are some good things built into the Texas Election Code that are designed to safeguard the election process. But there is a catch: Voters have to participate.In a general election year, polls are located in just about every precinct in Harris County — some precincts have too few voters to merit their own location, and, in some cases, a suitable building is not available. Harris County has 875 precincts, so figure 750 or so polling locations.An average-sized staff consists of two judges (a presiding judge and an alternate judge), about six clerks and language assistants, if needed. That translates to at least 7,500 election workers in Harris County. And where do these workers come from?In an ideal world, the election judges and clerks for a precinct actually live in that precinct. Presiding judges representing the majority party in the precinct, and the alternate judges (from the other party) — for each precinct — are appointed by the Harris County Commissioners Court. Every June, both the Democratic and Republican party chairpersons submit a list of three qualified individuals in each precinct to be considered as election judge in that precinct and the commissioners appoint judges from these lists. Most of the judges hire friends and neighbors to serve as their election clerks. In theory, it is a great idea.When voters go to their home precinct on Election Day, they will see people they know, and each party will be represented. Although, while working the election, the election staff is not allowed to display any party affiliation.When a voter recognizes the people working the polls, he or she is more likely to have faith in the honesty and integrity of the system. The problem is that we don't live in an ideal world.Most people have jobs to go to and many can't take off to work the election. Training is required for the election judges and many people don't want to be burdened with the responsibility.Election Day is usually a long, hard day. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Judges and clerks have to stay at the polls all day, plus they have to set up and take down afterwards.Judges are paid $7.50 an hour, and clerks $6 an hour, which is probably less than many people make at their regular job.Judges also need transportation in order to get to training, pick up supplies and return the ballots on Election Night.Many people probably assume that someone else will step up and work the election, and that it's not their problem. If resident election judges cannot be located, the county assigns emergency staffing to that location.When voters in an area do not participate by working the polls, they have given away a huge piece of the safeguards built into the election process. Think about that the next time you vote and wonder who those people are who are working the polls.MARTHA COTTINGHAM Kingwood
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