The King County Elections office announced today that "600 Poll Workers needed to work Election Day". Of course, when the elections office states that
People interested in the democratic process should call (206) 296-1606.what they seem to mean is that they only want Democratic Party activists working at the polls. When Republicans apply for this civic duty as provided by law, Ron Sims' top aides only impugn their reputations by making unfounded insinuations to newspaper reporters.
Seriously, it's essential that we have competent poll workers from all political persuasions serving on election day in order to preserve what's left of fairness, integrity and the rule of law in our elections -- especially when the party in power tries to intimidate its opponents who choose to serve. Please join me in working at the polls this fall. It entails long hours at only nominal pay, but it's a vital public duty.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at August 18, 2005 12:24 PM | Email ThisHe says you are:
"..scorpion in their midst, and could strike one of their own indiscriminately, and without warning..."
Talk about slander!
I think Pee Wee has been spending time at the "adult" movie theaters again. Whatever you do, don't shake his hand. You don't know where it has been.
Posted by: pbj on August 18, 2005 12:49 PMThanks!
Greg
My point is, the only way for this process to add security to the ballot tallying and transmittal is for the parties to duly appoint representatives to serve. Self-selection won't get it done.
Posted by: Huckleberry on August 18, 2005 01:29 PMSage advice from old Democrat operatives and executives, "If you want to defuse or ennuize a person, put them on a committee".
Cut the guys legs off by making him an insider, in other words.
Posted by: swatter on August 18, 2005 01:33 PMUp the meds man, your paranoia is getting in the way of any intelligent conversation / advocacy on this site.
Cheers,
Russ
re: "there is not verifiation that the partisan judges are members of the parties they declare. Kind of like the candidates themselves, I guess ..."
Not so. When I volunteered I contacted the King County Republicans. And they gave me my assignment as a Republican judge.
Posted by: Ron on August 18, 2005 01:38 PMHow very interesting. Kind of like the dog not barking in the night.
Why isn't a Democrat also going with the Inspector? Why isn't a Democrat also signing the tape?
The answer seems to be simple...they're already there! If the Democrats are running the election, of course they don't need to check everything.
Wow, what will it take to get impartial people handling the elections?
Posted by: HappyGoLucky on August 18, 2005 02:49 PMYou're sort of right, I think. It's my understanding of county law (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong) that the party who won the presidential race in this county gets to choose the inspectors and such, which means that the Democrats basically control who runs the show. My guess is that it's not so much the Republicans specifically as just the opposing party (which means Republicans by default) that needs to go with the inspector now. But don't quote me on that as I'm not sure.
Posted by: Mike H on August 18, 2005 03:18 PM
That cr@pweasel doesn't work for Sims...he works for ME! I suspect he doesn't get out much.
I have nothing to do that day....Besides..I'm a former banker! Ron Sims would love my (cough) *envy*....and I would love to get a look at what in the heck they are doing in the elections division...
Posted by: Deborah on August 18, 2005 07:44 PM"They are talking with the human resources department, the prosecuting attorney's office, and labor unions to ensure that they weed out the elections department's bad apples by the book."
Remember the old bit....which one of these doesn't belong.....
Talking to HR, you must do to make sure that everything is in place when you fire the person, i.e. health benefits/cobra, removing security codes & access, finances, etc. Having the prosecuting attorney involved? Hmmm, sounds like criminal problem...you think it's Ron there after (sorry don't hurt yourself laughing at that). Now what the hell does the union have to be involved in it for? If the people suck, have been incompotent or committing crimes, throw them out. The Union has no place there. Don't come back with BS about the Union standing up for their workers. People that can't do a job should be gone.
Unions are the new politburo. They strangle growth and civic pride and shouldn't be in allowed in Goverment. Wow that is nice to say and hope for, but won't happen. Back to reality.
Posted by: Dengle on August 18, 2005 08:50 PMRon - As a judge, you do indeed check in people. Check their "ID" (LAUGH), etc. There is also a judge who handles the AccuVote machine and assists people with that. The last position new this year is the "provisional ballot" judge who does ALL the provisional ballots.
On a side note: Also, new this year, the Provisional ballots are supposed to have a different bar code so they can NOT be put through the AccuVote machine. It will just be spit out. However, the AccuVote Judge can indeed even bypass this if they wish.
Posted by: GregMa on August 19, 2005 06:54 AMYou're wrong. There was no link to any "article" in the post. There were links to a press release,a RCW citation and an editorial column. I did't see anything in any of those items linked to that showed evidence that anyone at King County made any disparaging comments about GOP poll workers. The only thinng close was Kurt Triplett's comment about his concern that GOP activists might attempt to screw up the primary. Given the nature of some of the posts on this site and others, I think this concern is well-founded and responsible. Ultimately, this post is yet another example of Shark seeing boogiemen where there are none - thus the paranoia comment. Although it's only paranoia if it is unintentional, if its intentional then its dishonest maniuplation. I don't know Shark, so I give him the benefit of the doubt
Posted by: russ on August 19, 2005 09:56 AM