If you feel like you’re being watched tomorrow when you cast your ballot, don’t blame the secret police. Republicans and Democrats are mobilizing volunteers to monitor state polling places with an eye out for such potential problems as voter intimidation or faulty voting machines.
In addition, the Department of Justice has identified Denver as among 65 communities nationwide where problems are anticipated and officials will be on the lookout.
With all that worry and preparation, we hope for a smooth operation for this purest exercise of democracy.
Many thousands have already cast their ballots, but a majority of Colorado voters will do so tomorrow. Many will be using new electronic voting machines – they are easy to use, and election judges will be available to assist. Still, it’s a new system and a lengthy ballot, so trouble-free might be too much to expect.
Legal protection teams were mobilized in Colorado for the 2004 presidential election and thankfully not needed. This year, 80 percent of Colorado voters will be using new voting machines, designed to eliminate the human error so obviously on display in the casting of paper ballots in the 2000 presidential election in Florida.
Last month, the non-partisan Electionline .org website listed Colorado as one of 10 states that could experience problems this year due to a combination of factors including new equipment, close races, procedural changes, legal challenges and a partial shift from neighborhood precincts to larger vote centers. Also on the watch list are Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington state.
Colorado is among 24 states that require voters to show identification to vote. There are many acceptable forms of identification, and election officials are not supposed to disqualify or harass voters who produce proper documentation.
During the August primary, some machines in Denver failed to produce the required paper receipt. That and other problems prompted a lawsuit. A judge ruled that it was too late to dump the machines even while noting that they have “potential vulnerabilities.” Election officials have taken steps to secure the units from misuse.
Denver Election Commission spokesman Alton Dillard said he doesn’t know why federal officials picked Denver to monitor. He said election officials also don’t know how many federal officials will be in town or precisely what they will do.
“Since the elections in 2000 and 2004, there have been heightened concerns about elections in general,” he said. Asked if federal officials would be assisting voters if they have problems with the new machines, Dillard said, “that’s what our election judges are for.” A meeting with Justice officials is scheduled for today.
Colorado will be electing a new governor, members of the U.S. House and state legislators, and there is a lengthy list of other races and ballot items. This is not the year for voters to stay home.
