My early voting experience in Florida - VERY disturbing

[Hugabear]

So yesterday I go to the library to cast my early ballot for the primary. I was basically just there to vote against the property tax amendment, since our delegates weren't going to count anyways. I go into the voting room, and the woman behind the computer verifies my information. Then some guy leads me over to the voting booth, and stands next to me the entire time while I cast my vote. To make things worse, it was one of those touch-screen devices, with no paper trail at all.

If this is how the presidential election in November is going to be done, we're fucking screwed.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. I know. I had the same experience. nt

[1corona4u]

2. Well, if you're not supose to vote for a particular party in the election...

how do you think they monitor that?

[Hugabear]

8. Huh?

If you're a Democrat voter, you got the Democratic primary ballot. If you were a Rethug, you got the Rethug ballot. And if you were independent, the only thing you got to vote for was the property tax amendment. I don't see why they needed anyone standing over your shoulder while you voted. I can see if they stood back in case you needed any help, but this guy was directly watching what I did - this was happening with everyone voting.

So much for the secret ballot, eh?

[aquart]

3. I keep saying, if we offer them money, maybe Spain would take it back?

Florida is the Twilight Zone of voting.

[kdmorris]

9. Yeah...

Only Florida has voting irregularities and fraud. Guess you'll need to give all the other states back to their original owner, too.

Just give us back to the Seminoles. I'll be happy.

[Emit]

4. Why didn't you tell him to go away?

:shrug: I would've said, "Do you mind?...Please leave...this is a private matter..."

Did you have an opportunity to say anything to him?

[UALRBSofL]

5. You should vote for the property tax amendment

Unless your ultra rich and have no problem paying the outrageous property tax's we have here in florida. I think this amendment was written for the middle and lower class which is where I fit in.

[Orangepeel]

10. St. Petersburg Times and the unions against it; Orlando Sentinel and Charlie Crist for it

I no longer live in Florida so I'm not evaluating the amendment. But, if I were, based on who is for it and who is against it, it doesn't sound like something written for the middle and lower classes.

[Patsy Stone]

6. There are 10 counties in Florida

paperless for this election. The Nov 2008 election will be on new Op-Sscan machines. By law, there will be paper.

[Avalux]

7. Last year here in Texas......

....I am escorted to the voting booth by an elderly man who explains how to use the machine. Touch the screen, make your selections, done. I looked at him and asked "how do I know my vote gets counted as I intend?". He stared at me for a very long moment then said "Trust, I guess".

As I stood there, I could hear him out in the hall relaying what I said to the other poll workers.

[Bright Eyes]

11. Call your local election board.

If you think he was actually watching you vote, then you need to call and report it.

[Hugabear]

12. Everyone was having their vote witnessed

It wasn't just me. My wife had the same thing, and I witnessed other voters with "monitors" hanging over their shoulders.

If they do this in November, I'll sure as hell raise a stink about it. Then they'll know exactly which votes to "purge" to ensure the GOP victory.

[kelligesq]

14. Unless you asked for help, that's improper & all should tell anyone who does that

to get the hell away while you're voting !!!

I'm working at the polls on Tuesday.

You really should call your County Supoervisor of Elections and report it on MOnday

[flpoljunkie]

15. I find this disturbing. This should not be allowed, and is likely illegal. Call the Sentinel.

[Pathwalker]

13. It's not like your vote counts, anyway. You think the Democratic

party cares about your vote? - they have proven otherwise.