<developing>Disaffiliation Forms In Short Supply At Some Precincts (read: "disappearing")
Republican Primary Expected To Draw Unaffiliated VotersPROVIDENCE -- Some voters in Rhode Island complained about a shortage of disaffiliation forms at polling places Tuesday.
Rhode Island allows unaffiliated voters to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary and then immediately disaffiliate by signing a form.
An unusually high number of unaffiliated voters was expected to vote in Tuesday's primary because of a contentious U.S. Senate primary between Republican incumbent Lincoln Chafee and challenger Stephen Laffey.
The state Board of Elections had poll workers deliver additional disaffiliation forms to various precincts when the first shortages were reported by mid-morning.
The board had printed 20,000 forms.
"What we had advised people prior to the election was, if it looks like you are in need of more forms, just contact the Board of Elections immediately. And as an alternative, you could use the voter identification form," said Thomas Iannitti, acting chairman of the Board of Elections. "We've already started talking about whether or not we change that whole process and maybe use the book -- and sign the book when you leave the polling place to eliminate the need of having that paperwork."
Voters who were unable to disaffiliate at their polling place immediately can still do so by contacting their local board of canvassers.
http://www.turnto10.com/politics/9832985/detail.htmlThis story was posted on 9/12/06
However, today, my 9:00 am news bulletin mentioned theres been complaints from various precincts of a
*disappearance* of disaffiliation forms.
Story developing..