As a registered Republican, in Nov., 2004, I went to my usual place to vote in NJ...the firehouse about two miles away. They said I must have been at the wrong place. I wasn’t in their books.
I told them I’ve been voting there for the past 20 years!
They sent me to the County Clerk...about five or six miles from there.
The clerk said to go back ...that I was correct, but now I would have to vote by provisional ballot....a paper ballot.
At the firehouse, the poll worker set up a cardboard screen on a table for my privacy.
I placed my X next to George W. then folded the ballot. On the outside, it said, “If this is a primary election, you must indicate if you are voting Republican or Democrat.”
I left it blank and handed to the poll worker. In a loud, rude voice she said I would have to mark how I was voting on the outside of the ballot.
I explained to her that since it was a general election, I should NOT mark it.
She said, “THIS IS A PRIMARY ELECTION!”
We went round and round about four times. She kept insisting it was a primary. I kept telling her it was a general election!
She told me she was in charge there and that she’ll rip it up if I didn’t mark the outside. Reluctantly I did, but went home and called the State Board of Elections. The lady I talked with was appalled.
She said, “We train them, we pay them, and this happens?”
Then she confirmed what I had assumed...my vote didn’t count.
What happened to the secret ballot?
Oh and LOL at the cardboard. Kinky
That is truly appalling. I fervently hope the moron you dealt with was fired...