Voter Protection Network Wants Sanctions for Poll Disruptors
Thursday, September 13, 2012
The city has not take any definitive action yet in response to the allegations of voter intimidation and suppression during last week's primary, but the Board of Election Commissioners did vote on Monday to review rules and requirements ahead of November's general election.
Requests for Changes
The Voter Protection Network has issued several requests ahead of the commission's next meeting is scheduled for later this month.
"One of the things that we're looking for is that the rules be improved," said spokesman Chris Robarge, who also serves as the Central Massachusetts coordinator for the ACLU.
Robarge and his colleagues are also asking for greater training for both poll workers and police officers assigned to polling stations.
Other requests include additional signage at polling locations informing all eligible voters that they have a right to vote and a list of acceptable proofs of residency.
The group's final request is that a list of names of anyone removed from polling locations by either the police or City Clerk be compiled by the City of Worcester and submitted to the Attorney General's Civil Rights Commission and the City Solicitor's Office for review and that potential sanctions be recommended.
City Councilor Sarai Rivera called for similar action during Tuesday's City Council meeting.
"We as a city really need to be able to respond to this," she said.
However, City Councilor Konnie Lukes was quick to caution against any drastic action before substantive evidence was presented.
"I think we need real clarity on the direction we're going in," Lukes said.
Potential Sanctions
What potential actions could be taken were not entirely clear.
Robarge said activities such as those reported last Thursday had not been an issue in the past, and many involved seemed unsure how far-ranging any potential actions would be.
"There is no process by which any sanctions would carry forward," Robarge said.
Individuals may be removed from polling locations for failing to follow proper rules and procedures, but according to Robarge, their removal applies only on that day, not for subsequent elections, and may even be restricted to just that polling place.
"It's not like they get a red card and can't play in the next round," he said, using a soccer analogy.
Neither the Voter Protection Network nor the ACLU is looking to pursue sanctions independently at this time.
Related Articles
- BREAKING: Allegations of Voter Suppression Swirl in District 4
- City Council Tackles Voter Intimidation
- Democratic Hopefuls Answer to Voters Ahead of Primary
- Dems Digging in for Fight Over Central Mass Votes
- How Your Vote Could Change Worcester
- Majority of Central Mass Voters are Independent - Why It Matters
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Comments:
Iron Mike Farquhar
8:15am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
It's not just 'residency' we're concerned about here Folks, - we'd like proof that anybody who is on the voting rolls is actually a US Citizen! How hard is that?
bruce w
10:42am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Don't we need to know who's voting??
Edward Saucier
4:27pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
First everyone was complaining that very few registered voters even bother to vote. Now we're worrying about voter IDs and citizenship papers. Give me a break all you brainless boobs, will ya? The tea party nitwits are creating those problems, let's dump them in the ocean.
Iron Mike Farquhar
4:36pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
>> “brainless boobs”, “tea party nitwits”,...“let's dump them in the ocean”.
So help me understand EXACTLY what you mean; - if American Citizens want to protect the sanctity and integrity of the voting process, - you want to dump them in the ocean? Who is the 'let's' you refer to, that you want to help you?
Bottom line Ed, - do you FAVOR illegals voting in our elections?
Stephen Quist
10:33am on Monday, September 17, 2012
only 'kape kod konnie' could ever defend the anti-voter tactics, intimidation and voter suppression displayed and espoused by the teapartiers/activate worcester.....not suprising at all from an elected official that still does not comprehend the word INTEGRITY.
'kape kod konnie' - "I think we need clarity on which direction we are going in"
'kape kod konnie' needs clarity on voting rights?
A 30+ year career politico professional and she needs clarity on voter rights?
if 'kape kod konnie' does not understand voting rights then why is she in office?
'kape kod konnie' certainly does understand how to fatten her pocketbook up on the taxpayers dime though....
Stephen Quist
12:41pm on Monday, September 17, 2012
@rusty mike: the sanctity and integrity of our elections and voting processes were fine until the likes of you and your extremist anti-American friends started intimidating voters and suppressing peoples right to vote..............so tell me rusty mike do you favor voter intimidation and the suppression of others voters the right to vote?
It seems like you agree with the anti-American teapartiers/activate worc.......are you one of them rusty mike?