I think the point is that if civil uprising were too get violent and relatively widespread, Obama and company could use this as an opportunity to declare a national emergency and suspend elections. Some politicians have already joked around about this, I don’t think its something to laugh at or ignore.
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/40802
Vote by other means then...
U.S. Constitution section 9 paragraph 2:
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
That means Obama can jail people without trial.