The culpRat
Posted on 10/19/2004 9:23:41 AM PDT by tame
Yesterday, I drove by the welfare department in Bakersfield, California to see if anyone was registering voters there (as sometimes is the case). Sure enough, there was a democrat voter registration table.
Now, hold your fire on the location. In all fairness, we Republicans have sometimes registered voters at the welfare office, though with probably far less of a natural constituency.
Anyways, I parked, walked up, and listened to a woman I will refer to as "Rat-lady" as she attempted to register voters. A woman I will refer to as Maisha came over to the table to register to vote. (Maisha may have been an employee of the Dept.)
Maisha indicated that she wanted to register as an independent, but Rat-lady told Maisha that she had to register as a Democrat since Rat-lady was working for the Democrat party.
I spoke up and told Rat-lady that she was wrong. I said that I am a Republican who registers voters for the GOP, and that Maisha can register any way she wants to.
I told both of them that it's not legal for Rat-lady to tell anyone that they "have to" register as a Democrat.
Rat-lady told me to "quit telling me how to do my job".
I said, "But what you're doing is illegal and I can report you to the elections office." [Secretary of State, etc.]
Rat-lady told me to "have at it" (which I later did by leaving a message re the incident on the voice mail of an elections official in Bakersfield).
Sometime during our exchange, and only after I said Rat-lady was doing something illegal, Rat-lady indicated that Maisha can take the registration form with her and mail it herself. I think Maisha did this, but I'm not sure.
Keep in mind this was the last day to register in California in order to be able to vote in the upcoming election.
Maisha seemed very concerned that if she did not register as a democrat, then Rat-lady would not turn in the voter registration card on time (I mentioned that was a real possibility).
Maisha also indicated she might register as a Democrat for now (if she gave the card back to Rat-lady to turn in) so she would not miss the deadline, and be able to vote in the upcoming election.
Bottom line: Maisha seemed intimidated by a very coercive Democrat.
But that's not all. Consider this irony: During the course of our exchange, Rat-lady took a stab at Republicans (since I mentioned I did voter Registration for them) by mentioning the alleged Democat voter registrations that were trashed in Las Vegas.
I then mentioned the story I read about [someone with ties to the NAACP] the rats' allegedly paying for voter registration cards with crack cocaine.
Meanwhile, Maisha was starting to laugh at the whole exchange.
Now, folks, Maisha was a black lady. And the Rat-lady seemed to want to disenfranchise Maisha's right to register with the party of her choice, or to register as an independent if she so chooses.
Do you think Jesse Jackson will be coming to fight alongside me against the 'rats in Bakersfield?
GREAT post!
if you all engage people like the vegan at Ralphs then it takes time away that she could be using to register voters :o)
The culpRat
You must have meant to post to someone else. That is not my quote.
i would NEVER register to vote in hostile territory. it's a natural tendency for the enemy to simply "forget" to turn in the card.
i've registered many voters, and unfortunately i've met some shady characters (one of whom got in trouble with the law for his fraudulent activities) who've reigstered voters FOR THE GOP. So it happens on both sides, but it's not NEAR as bad as the rats, imo. Most of the guys i've worked with in voter registration for the GOP are honest and trustworthy when it comes to voter registration, but i know one or two who are bad apples.
remember, most are paid for each registration for their party, so even though there are upstanding workers, the voter registration occupation also draws in some shady, used car salesmen types. i know a few who are pretty much homeless types with a few bad habits.
always...ALWAYS... register at a "friendly" booth (the booth of your own party), or at the elections office where you can get a certified proof of registration for a couple of bucks. or simply get a form and mail it in yourself (but make sure to fill it out completely). the forms in california are self addressed, no postage necessary.
that's what i did when i changed my registration address--i walked into the elections office, registered, and then obtained my certified proof of registration and placed it in my glove compartment, so i'll have it with me when i go to vote.
rotflmao!!!
so, the shady characters feel no incentive to turn in cards that they're not paid on. and since they usually only work the table for one party (although there may be exceptions) like the Democrat table i saw in front of the welfare office, then the person may simply discard the registration form if you come up and register for the "wrong" party.
it's important to remember that the registration helps the get-out-the-vote effort because of the phone numbers, mailing addresses (for lists, etc.), so the respective parties want that info to show up on their precinct lists under their party name.
i would have said "no thanks", and registered somewhere else :o)
thanx :o)
The Plantation Party. Wonder if it would stick?
Too bad there wasn't a video camera rolling. This one would have made national news.
I *first* should have said - EXCELLENT effort!! Maisha will probably vote Republican because of you.
Now why didn't I think of that? Freepers are the smartest bunch.
Thank you :o) you freepers always encourage me to do more of the same because of your nice words of appreciation :o)
I'm in Ireland, so can I ask a stupid question?
If you register as Democrat, you can still VOTE Republican, right?
And what are the consequences of registering either Dem or Rep?
interestingly enough, i use the same tactic when cults like the jehovah's witnesses come to my door. i always set up a time to speak with them, or i speak with them right then.
even if they don't convert to true christianity, at least their time is being taken up speaking with me instead them knocking on other doors of more vulnerable people.
it helps that i majored in biblical studies and that i know quite a bit about jehovah's witnesses (written about them, etc.)
caveat: i don't recommend this for everyone.
yes, in the GENERAL election. but several states won't allow you to vote for the other party's candidate in the PRIMARY election.
someone else on this thread asked that question. you will find more info as you read the subsequent posts.
That depends on what state you live in - what their rules are about registering. Every state has their own rules. In Illinois you do not mention your party name when you register to vote. The only time you mention a party name is when you ask for a ballot in the PRIMARIES only and this is noted in the roll books. In the general election, no one knows whom/what party you vote for.
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