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Voting Could Get Ugly, Warn Watchdogs

Ballot denial, long lines likely in battleground states

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Oct 30, 2008 9:18 AM CDT

(Newser) – With record-shattering turnout anticipated, voter-rights groups predict contentious voting in battleground states, where Republicans are accused of disenfranchising new voters—who are overwhelmingly Democrat. In Florida, a “no match, no vote” standard denies ballots to people whose registration info clashes with government records, an obstacle not unique to that state, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Some groups are working to contact vulnerable voters to ensure “typos and clerical errors” don’t violate their right to cast a ballot, and unlike previous elections, a provisional ballot is available to turned-away voters who can confirm their information within 48 hours. But other problems remain logistical. North Carolina voters may not realize the straight-party voting option excludes the presidency, while insufficient polling stations threaten Virginians with long lines.

[Images (3)]

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A voter checks over his ballot as Paul Krieschier as early voters cast votes in Denver this week. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

A California resident sorts mailed-in ballots in Santa Ana. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

A clerk directs voters to booths as hundreds cast their general election ballots a week early in California. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

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I think we're still going to see a lot of problems, in part because some voters aren't going to find out until election day that they've been dropped from the rolls.
- Rick Hasen, a professor of election law at Loyola Law School

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Voting Could Get Ugly, Warn Watchdogs