VOTERS MUST ASK FOR TWO BALLOTS IN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ELECTION

Who knew!  I can not remember in my voting lifetime to be given two ballots.  Getting a late night email about an alert and voting change caught my interest.  Here is the email:  (oh and sorry for the call caps header – this is how it was sent)

(Rochester, N.Y.) June 13, 2020: On the first day of early voting, voters are reporting a confusing process to cast ballots in the Democratic primaries.

• Candidates sound the alarm about ballot confusion.

Voters have to check in at two tables — one to get their state and local ballot, the other to get their presidential ballot. Voters in the 27th Congressional District have to check in at three tables.

 

When Demond Meeks voted at the Arnett Library, he was only given a presidential ballot. It was only when he questioned why he was not given the ballot on which his name appears that he was told he had to check in at another table. Meeks asked why he was not informed he had to check in twice, and the worker told him it would have been “electioneering” to do so.

 

Some poll workers report they were never told to tell voters they had to sign in at more than one table. There has been no voter education prior to the election.

 

This is a fundamental misunderstanding of electioneering. If the worker had told Meeks he must vote in the other races, that would be electioneering. Informing Meeks he had the option to vote in the other races is not electioneering.

 

The Board of Elections should do the following:

 

1. Make sure there is proper signage in English and in Spanish about the separate elections

2.  Provide instructions to poll workers to make voters aware that there are two or three elections, depending on location

 

“I am worried there could be countless voters disenfranchised because they didn’t realize they have to check in more than once to vote in all of the elections. I want all voters to know they have the right to vote in all elections. If their polling site is confusing, they should ask the poll workers for help.” – Demond Meeks Candidate for the New York State Assembly, 137th District.

 

“Voting is a right and the democratic foundation of our Republic. The reports that I am hearing tell me that unnecessary obstacles are being placed between the voter and being able to cast a vote. I call on both Monroe County Board of Commissioners to ensure a fair and open process for the families of our community so they may cast their vote.” – Assemblyman Harry Bronson, 138th District.

 

“Early voting is a great option for voters, especially given the current health pandemic. Every voter in Monroe County is eligible for at least two ballots and that information should be provided immediately upon checking in. Each race, whether federal, state, or local, is equally important and should not require voters to take extra steps to participate.” – Sarah Clark, Candidate for the New York State Assembly, 136th District.

 

“Ensuring a safe and legal election is a cornerstone of our rights as citizens and participants in the democratic process. It is the duty of our county government and board of elections to help ensure that our neighbors voices are heard clearly in this process”  -Jeremy Cooney, Candidate for New York State Senate 56th District.

 

Anyone experiencing problems at polling sites can call the State Attorney General’s hotline at 1-800-771-7755.