By 7:00 a.m. on Election Day the reports of voting problems, ranging from voters whose names don't appear in the registration databases, to voting machine malfunctions, to incorrect application of identification requirements, to voter suppression, mismanagement, malfeasance, and intimidation and challenges of voter's eligibility to cast their vote have surfaced across the country.
On our 1-866-MYVOTE1 hotline, and on our allies' election protection hotline, we have received thousands of reports of voters who had registered to vote but whose names did not appear on the computerized voter databases. Other voters are being asked to provide identification, even in states like Maryland and Missouri where identification is not required to vote. Voters have had their eligibility to vote challenged by aggressive campaigns in a variety of states.
So far the problem spots that have been reported to our office include:
Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, where polling places opened late, and where we have heard reports of voting machine problems,and in Lebanon and Lancaster counties.
Reports from Michigan show that polls in several areas, including Kalamazoo, Lansing, Grand Rapids and Detroit did not open on time.
In Ohio, voters have reported being stopped at polling locations and having their eligibility to vote questioned and many problems with the voting machines have also been reported.
Before the polls opened in Indianapolis there was concern that they would not be able to staff the polls in 20 inner city precincts. Inspectors apparently did not show up as scheduled. The Marion County clerk reports "lots and lots of problems" with new touch screen voting machines.
In Arizona confusion regarding identification requirements is causing problems for poll workers and voters alike.
In Florida we have had numerous reports of voting problems in which a voter attempts to vote for one candidate, but the vote shows up as a vote for an opposing candidate.
In Maryland, African American voters have received misinformation that arrived in the mail yesterday urging them to vote Democratic but showing and listing GOP candidates as those they should cast their ballot for.
With these problems manifesting themselves early in the day, voters have good reason to be concerned about whether their votes will count. And in a democracy, where the vote is the most fundamental act of citizenship, the lack of confidence calls into question the legitimacy of the election.
