Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Arkansas Elections Garland County cluster#@%*
Posted by Max Brantley on Tue, Jun 8, 2010 at 11:30 AM
The mess that Garland County Election Commission made has come to full flower. A voting rights activist reports long lines and parking problems at the two — count 'em, two — polling places that the Commission decided to open for runoff voting. It closed 40 other polls to save money despite the fact that every voter in the county, where some 12,000 voted in the first primary, has three statewide races to consider.
There's one poll in Hot Springs, at the election commission, and one in Hot Springs Village (beyond the community's access gates). If it's a close election and Bill Halter loses, somebody is going to howl, given Blanche Lincoln's poor showing in Garland in the first primary. She got only about 40 percent of the vote.
Those in line by 7:30 still may be able to vote. One question, however, may be what constitutes a line. Confident that Commission Chairman Charles Tapp and Co. will have a good answer?
Doesn't help that it's hot. Doesn't help that cops needed because of traffic difficulties have been diverted by a manhunt for a prisoner who escaped en route to a Hot Springs court appearance today.
UPDATE: I've been told now that Tapp made the poll decisions unilaterally, without a vote from the two other members of the Election Commission. I was also told he was informed in time Friday to call back the dogs on a special day of early voting Saturday meant as a makeup for the reduction in polls. People turned up Saturday and found the polls closed because a state statute didn't allow them to be open that day. Huge turnout at the single polling place in Hot Springs Monday and today, a Democratic Party official says.
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Comments (21)
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If Ark election law 7-5-101 holds then this arrangement is going to be challenged, somebody's going to court in the event of a very close race. There's the looming possibility of this election recount, re vote stretching into Summer. Too many Big players invested huge amounts on this one. Arkansas Supreme, get your robes out.
-close polling locations with a minimum of 30 days notice prior to the election posted;
-written notice mailed to every registered voter regarding the change in poll locations.
Bisbee may not be the only Ark local official who is functionally illiterate.
.
.
Since two of the races are for federal positions, does that not give the federal authorities an opening to question this whole decision? Since when did the Constitution have a clause about people having rights unless it was too expensive?
Given that Blanche is playing from the Rove handbook so far, I can see this as the first step in a strategy designed to beat Halter the same way that Bush beat Gore.
If you know you're going to lose the popular vote, your next step is to push the election into a friendly court system.
They are all invited to my precinct at 2nd Presb Church.
Two voters and 3 poll workers.
I'm trusting in the ever hovering spirit of jazzy to see that the Lincoln Buddies fail in their attempt to steal the election in Garland County. A decisive win by Halter will clear this little mess right up. I'm just sorry I don't live closer so I could show up with cold drinks and umbrellas for those standing in long lines in the sun to cast their vote.
If it's this bad in Garland County now, just imagine what it's going to be like in November when the Friends of Boozman & Tim Griffin show up to work their evil magic at the polls. Git em, jazzy!
"Lincoln is not losing because people are pissed at insiders. Lincoln's losing because she's a piss poor excuse for a Democrat, and Arkansas Dems are tired of being betrayed." -- Daily Kos
I'm so glad that the 6.5 Democrats living in Hot Springs Village have their own polling place.
Went to vote in West Memphis this AM. Our usual polling place was moved from one part of school campus to another, with no signs indicating the change. Myself and another voter went from place 1, to place 2, told to go to place 3, where we were told we could not vote there--and poll worker had no idea where we should vote. She didn't even try to help us find out--other voter called information and got number for court clerk. Poll worker STILL wouldn't call and find out for us, so I personally called. Turns out we had to go back to place 1, to the far side of the building. Great. But both Other Voter and I dutifully made the trek--he was a crusty old man but told me it wasn't about who you were voting for today but who you were voting against. He had seen my Obama sticker, and was still speaking to me, so I'll assume he was speaking of voting for Halter to vote against Lincoln. After our trek together, I kinda wanted to take him out for coffee.
You keeping thinking it is a mistake. The limited voting is a way to discourage democracy, to control, to try to fight for power in an incoherent manner! The elected knew what they were doing.
Test to see if my self portait works or not.
I usually try to keep more stealthy but I am getting swept up in the new blog system.
Well my picture attachment works but I either need to drop about 30 lbs or draw with a sharper pencil next time.
Durn right there'll be howlin' if it's a close win for Lincoln...
I cast my vote at St. Paul at about 11:00 today and they were already up in the mid 130's. Pretty good showing for my area...
Eight or ten Halter volunteers have been helping out in front of the Election Commission all day. They have been providing water and snacks and sunscreen and umbrellas and chairs for those who have had to wait in line. They have also been helping to direct traffic, which has been backed up for a good part of the day.
The Halter volunteers have been working hard since very early this morning to help voters find the polling places and be as comfortable as possible while trying to do their civic duty.
A lone Lincoln staff member showed up around Noon.
That tells the tale.
Citizen1,
Skypilot is probably right, but to enhance the effect, try with a thinner mirror next time too.
P.S. Of all the 'dirty tricks' that evolved from the USC Mafia and CREEP, reducing the number of votes for an opponent by manipulating the voting process or opportunity to vote in the most heinous. I believe those who indulge in it should be punished by a brief 3-4 week testicular suspension from the top of the flagpole at each polling place affected. That includes self-confessed 'cager' Tim Griffin and his associates who emailed evidence of his crimes to the opposition.
Never rule out the possibility that it was just a stupid move. And that $30,000 he was trying to save isn't even county money -- the state pays for preferential primaries and general primaries (i.e., runoffs). Of course, being a state taxpayer, I'm kind of glad for his frugality, though not at the expense of the right to vote.
I'm with timeandchance on dismissing the conspiracy theory. I think this was just a stupid decision, driven by an election chairman who I don't think will be around in that position much longer.
As much as I love a good conspiracy, Occam's Razor implies that the simplest explanation is usually the right one.
(http://science.howstuffworks.com/occams-ra…)
And the only life which looks down upon the life of political ambition is that of true philosophy. Do you know of any other?” Plato
Visit youtube.com and seek TheCrey777 for election day updates from Garland County Election Commission...it was hot and excessive problems...
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