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A Poll Watchers Tale - Vote Fraud in Houston, Texas
Houston Area Texans - A FreeRepublic Network Chapter ^ | Saturday, November 2, 2002 | Flyer

Posted on 11/02/2002 4:50:19 PM PST by Flyer

Don't Mess With Texas!

A Poll Watchers Tale

Don't Mess With Texas!

My story of my experience training for, and working as a poll watcher applies specifically to Texas. This is my first time working an election of any sort, in any capacity. Those of you experienced in these matters may find some mistakes on my part, and those of you unfamiliar may find it eye opening.


I was appointed as a Poll Watcher by the John Cornyn campaign after attending a training session Tuesday, October 29. The session was organized by David Hagy, as part of his work with the Harris County campaign for John Cornyn. Our teachers were attorneys Andy Taylor and Amanda Peterson.

The class lasted about two hours and was very well presented and included comprehensive printed material to study and guide us through any vote challenges.

There were 25 - 30 trainees in this class. Another class was held the day before, and another one today, Saturday, November 2. Our class seemed to be intelligent and articulate, and grasped the material presented and asked many good questions.


I couldn't make a commitment to a possibly 14 - 16 hour shift on election day, so I chose to work early voting, where a poll watcher can work the hours of their choice.

Thursday afternoon, October 31, I went to the early voting location at the Palm Center, 5300 Griggs. The neighborhood population is primarily Black and records would probably indicate it votes heavily Democrat.

When I introduced myself to the Election Judge and presented my Appointment Certificate she looked at me with surprise and said "A poll watcher?!?", like she had just been insulted. She looked at my certificate and said out loud "Hmmm. . . from the John Cornyn campaign". The clerks near her heard that and gave me glaring looks. The whispers went around that a poll watcher was there and I sensed a lot of hostility.

In Texas, one of a poll watchers primary functions is to assure that those that vote are legally qualified to vote. I took a position near the clerks accepting voters and began my observations. My attention was soon drawn to the other clerks.

Three other clerks were walking among the voting stations, stopping at many of them to assist the voters. There are very narrow legal boundaries as to who can receive assistance with the ballot.

§ 64.031. Eligibility for Assistance

A voter is eligible to receive assistance in marking the ballot, as provided by this subchapter, if the voter cannot prepare the ballot because of:

(1) a physical disability that renders the voter unable to write or see; or

(2) an inability to read the language in which the ballot is written.

And there are clear rules on who can provide the assistance.

§ 64.032. Persons Providing Assistance

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), on a voter's request for assistance in marking the ballot, two election officers shall provide the assistance.

(b) If a voter is assisted by election officers in the general election for state and county officers, each officer must be aligned with a different political party unless there are not two or more election officers serving the polling place who are aligned with different parties.

(c) On the voter's request, the voter may be assisted by any person selected by the voter other than the voter's employer, an agent of the voter's employer, or an officer or agent of a labor union to which the voter belongs.

(d) If assistance is provided by a person of the voter's choice, an election officer shall enter the person's name and address on the poll list beside the voter's name.

During my training we were told to be a little understanding, as we are using the E-Slate system for the first time and many voters may have questions.

I brought this 'wandering assistance' to the attention of the election judge and she instructed her clerks to tell voters to ask for help if they needed it. Raised hands and calls for help abounded. I then reminded the judge that there should be two clerks at a station when assistance was needed. She replied that that was only the case "if two are available". The election code clearly states "two election officers shall provide the assistance", and makes no provisions for availability of officers. I was unsure on this at that time so I didn't dispute her.

As a poll watcher if I wish to challenge a voters eligibility to vote I must do it before the voter enters the voting booth. That is where my job ends. Except, as I was taught and the law seems to support, if a voter accepts unlawful assistance. One of my teachers, Andy Taylor, made a special point to cover this.

I began to observe the clerks assisting the voters. I was being very careful and allowed broad leeway in the help being provided. If I issue a challenge at this point the voters ballot will not be counted. It is not a responsibility to take lightly.

I found a violation I was ready to challenge. A clerk was watching over a woman's shoulder and as she turned the selector knob he would tell her "Hit enter". She would turn it more and he repeated "Hit enter". They were going through the entire ballot like this.

I approached the election judge and told her I was issuing a challenge for unlawful assistance, and I pointed out the booth with the clerk and voter. She didn't immediately respond and I turned my attention back to the voting booth, hoping to get this done before the voter left the building. Now the election judge is on the phone, in a frantic voice telling someone what was going on and that she didn't know what to do.

I asked to speak with the person on the phone and got his name as David Berg. He is an attorney, but I'm not sure what capacity he was working in. He told me I could only challenge the eligibility of a voter and the election judge did not have to accept this challenge.

I was just neutered. My training conflicted with what just occurred, the election judge was not going to accept these challenges and it was getting late in the day so I left the polling place, dazed and confused. Almost every voter at this location was being assisted illegally and there was apparently nothing I could do.


Friday I called David Hagy and told my story to him. Later that day I called one of my instructors, Amanda Peterson. She referred me the the Texas Secretary of State election hotline. The attorney I spoke with indicated I could not challenge unlawful assistance. The best I could do was to make notes of the offense and file a complaint with the district attorney.

I feel quite certain I was right in what I did and the training Andy Taylor gave me was correct. I am led to believe this because of this section of the election code:

§ 64.037. Unauthorized Assistance Voids Ballot

If assistance is provided to a voter who is not eligible for assistance, the voter's ballot may not be counted.

If I can't issue a challenge on unlawful assistance how will we ever know which ballot won't be counted?

I hope to get this resolved before Tuesday. Although I won't be working as a poll watcher that day, I want to get the correct information out to other poll watchers across Texas.


Friday afternoon I worked as poll watcher at a different location, the Fiesta store at 8130 Kirby. Wow, what a difference. Although this election judge seemed insulted at having a poll watcher at her location, too, we maintained a good relationship. The clerks were fast and efficient and I saw only a few minor slips and the judge corrected her clerks. A few voters could not be verified to be eligible and the judge turned them away, and I have no doubt that this would have been the same even if I was not there. The crew running this polling place deserve kudos for a great operation.

 

 

 


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Texas; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: 2002election; california; democrats; elections; fraud; houston; pollwatcher; texas; votefraud
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To: Flyer
Thanks for the ping. Since I was going to be out of town on election day I didn't follow up on the poll watching training. I'll pursue that next time though for early voting.
61 posted on 11/02/2002 7:07:06 PM PST by 1riot1ranger
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To: ForGod'sSake
LBJ and cronies. Figgers. You probably need no education on the sleaze that happened at the hands of LBJ.

LOL! Indeed not.

62 posted on 11/02/2002 7:09:00 PM PST by Lily of the Field
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To: Flyer; GOPcapitalist; YCTHouston
The best I could do was to make notes of the offense and file a complaint with the district attorney.

Which is the same thing as doing nothing because the DA won't waste time with this. That's one of the reasons vote fraud is rampant, no one ever goes to jail. You can get these people voting 7 or 8 times on video and the DA won't do a damn thing. The stuff you saw while poll watching goes on all the time unfortunately.

63 posted on 11/02/2002 7:09:02 PM PST by BUSHdude2000
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To: MeeknMing
This is a good one Meek; where are ya???? Break out yer ping list!

FGS

64 posted on 11/02/2002 7:12:35 PM PST by ForGod'sSake
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To: Flyer
Good job Flyer. I read this article on the Houston Active board but glad you posted it here. I voted early myself but didn't see any problems. It was early in the morning and hardly anyone there.
The precinct I am in in West Houston is definitely Republican with little old ladies there as judges, lol.
They do a great job.
But your experience was definitely worth reading.
Thanks again
65 posted on 11/02/2002 7:19:47 PM PST by bradactor
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To: zeaal
You're welcome and thanks for taking the time to read my long story.
66 posted on 11/02/2002 7:34:45 PM PST by Flyer
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To: Revel
We are on the edge, but I think we can claw our way back.
67 posted on 11/02/2002 7:37:33 PM PST by Flyer
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To: RikaStrom
I mean, I do believe it, but geez louize

Yeah, that was my feeling, too. We know it happens, but until you see it, it doesn't quite sink in.

How's that damn dog doing?

68 posted on 11/02/2002 7:39:19 PM PST by Flyer
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To: 1riot1ranger
You might want to get involved in the local elections next year to get some experience for 2004. It's tough being a rookie!
69 posted on 11/02/2002 7:41:39 PM PST by Flyer
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To: BUSHdude2000
I am going to get a definitive answer on the challenge on the unlawful assistance before Tuesday. The law seems to provide for it, so there must be a method.
70 posted on 11/02/2002 7:44:47 PM PST by Flyer
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To: bradactor
The second location I worked, on Kirby, was a much more uh, diverse group of voters. It was run much better and I felt good about what I saw there.
71 posted on 11/02/2002 7:53:52 PM PST by Flyer
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To: Flyer; eastforker
Did you know that the election people wont tell you what voting areas are open until Monday? I called them to confirm my location for voting, and the gal said that due to a screw up either last election or the election before (she couldn't remember); they don't annouce which locations are open until Monday. Unreal.

How's that damn dog doing?

Hey now, my precious little coward is just fine and dandy. :-)

Eastforker helped me (ok, he did all the work, I supplied moral support) install a new door with a doggy door for her. She hid under the bed. LOL She's turning into quite the little house pooch.

72 posted on 11/02/2002 7:55:19 PM PST by RikaStrom
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To: Dog Gone
The attorney Flyer talked to is David Berg. I know David Berg, and I used to be friends with a lawyer who he represented in a civil matter.Berg is a devious, rat sleaze ball. I know many attorneys who are good guys, but this one ain’t. I could write you a book on this slime.
73 posted on 11/02/2002 7:59:04 PM PST by dix
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To: RikaStrom
what voting areas are open

They may do that to be sure they have folks to work the location. People get pissed when they show up at their usual spot and it's not open.

I can't wait to meet the pup. Does she have a name yet?

74 posted on 11/02/2002 8:00:34 PM PST by Flyer
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To: Flyer
Way to go, Flyer
Last evening on Fox H & C, Peggy Noonan closed with a remark that she considered voter fraud Treason. Caught Colmes speechless. Perhaps she's got something there.

Gopherit
75 posted on 11/02/2002 8:00:47 PM PST by GopherIt
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To: dix
Berg is a devious, rat sleaze ball

You don't think he would have lied to me, do ya?

76 posted on 11/02/2002 8:02:08 PM PST by Flyer
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To: Flyer
People get pissed when they show up at their usual spot and it's not open.

True, very true. I would have been annoyed.

I can't wait to meet the pup. Does she have a name yet?

Yep, her name is Thena. She seems to be adjusting well to the house, and no incidents since that one the first time she came into the house. Right now I think she is teething because she is trying to gnaw the drawer pull on my old desk. LOL

77 posted on 11/02/2002 8:07:31 PM PST by RikaStrom
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To: RikaStrom
Nuther Bump

FGS

78 posted on 11/02/2002 8:33:22 PM PST by ForGod'sSake
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To: The Bat Lady
Another educational thread!
79 posted on 11/02/2002 9:33:26 PM PST by TheSarce
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To: Flyer
AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION Press Release Snippet: "Report Voter Fraud Today!...If you or someone you know has experienced any of these forms of abuse or fraud we encourage you to call the American Conservative Union at (703) 836-8602 or e-mail us at voterfraud@conservative.org." (CLICK HERE to read the press release.)

80 posted on 11/02/2002 9:55:37 PM PST by Cindy
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