Re-living the Outrages of 2004
I was doing some research last night for a book I’m working on and found myself once again being outraged by the blatant theft of the 2004 election in Ohio. Here are a few of the irregularities that caught my attention.
Our election system is broken. The good news, though, is that Newsweek is actually taking on the issue of the eminently hackable e-voting machines.
Election Incident Reports
[all URLs are from https://voteprotect.org]
034687
11/02/04, 8:45 AM PST
Early closing; Long lines
New Horizon Community Church in New Albany, OH, Franklin County, Ohio
Says that polling location is chaotic – no election protection volunteers. Says poll officials have been saying they will turn people in line away at time of closing.
051366
11/03/04, 11:48 AM PST
Voter Intimidation
Worthington, Franklin County, Ohio
Elderly voter unable to complete ballot due to five minute time limit (five minute time limit applies to someone waiting in line)
052556
11/04/04, 12:16 PM PST
Long lines
Church, Columus, Franklin County, Ohio
Poll worker said they would close doors at 7:30, even if people are in line.
058446
11/18/04, 8:40 AM PST
Voter Intimidation; Identification-related problem
Southmoor Middle School, Franklin County, Ohio
Voters being told they must present ID because observers are there. Being told there is a five minute time limit to vote and rushed if taking too long
058457
11/18/04, 9:07 AM PST
Voter Intimidation; Late opening
Renyoldsburg High School, Franklin County, Ohio
Poll manager, pushing people – saying Rep. and Dem. over here and there – being very nasty to poll workers, voters, and other people. Pushed caller, and disturbing first-time voters. [P]
058486
11/18/04, 9:38 AM PST
Other polling place problem
Stoutsville, Franklin County, Ohio
Making seniors wait in line and then going out of alphabetical order
058577
11/18/04, 11:53 AM PST
Voter Intimidation
HarborEast 5500 E & Broad, Franklin County, Ohio
Black voter reports intimdation Says racially motivated Not given 5 minute
058579
11/18/04, 12:00 PM PST
Registration-related problem
Hope United Methodist, Franklin County, Ohio
Sent voter outside. Said they wouldn’t give them a number to vote
058597
11/18/04, 12:26 PM PST
Early closing
Franklin Elementary School; 1955 Richmond Rd, Franklin County, Ohio
Poll worker said would be closing early and send voters home
058604
11/18/04, 12:49 PM PST
Disability access problem; Other polling place problem
Model Neighbourhood S Facility 1393 E Broad St, Franklin County, Ohio
Hostile presiding judge – needs competant people O/S says there are old voters – sending handicapped people away, sent 7 away already Not enforcing 5 minute rule
058841
11/22/04, 7:17 AM PST
Other polling place problem
New Horizon Comm. Church, New Albany, Franklin County, Ohio
Chaotic polling place. No EP volunteers. Saying they’ll turn people away at closing
063226
03/11/05, 11:28 AM PST
Other polling place problem
Franklin County, Ohio
Arrived at polling location 6:30 am, waited 20 minutes only to be told you were in the wrong line. No signs directing people to the right line. Left without voting because had to go to work. Several people leaving without voting
063799
04/04/05, 10:36 AM PST
Identification-related problem
East Haven Elementary on East Haven Drive, Columbus, OH 43232, Bexley, Franklin County, Ohio
They are asking for 1 form of picture ID to vote for everyone. This slowed voter – her middle initial was different than registration- so she needed a second form. People being turned away.
031841
11/02/04, 7:50 AM PST
Voter Intimidation
St. Andrew Tower – 5225 Superior Ave. Cleveland, OH 44103, NY, NY 10019, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Possible voter intimidation by police Police car parked in front of entrance to voting place with flashing lights on. Witness approached police officer and asked why they were stationed at that location. Officer said they were waiting for car to be towed. There was a car double parked in front of the police car. Witness told police officer that some voters may be intimidated by this. Officer said if they are scared by a police car then they should not be voting. Witness subsequently left location.
033979
11/02/04, 8:20 AM PST
Machine problem; Long lines; Other polling place problem
2533 West 150th Street (VFW hall), 216-476-0646, Cuyoga County, Ohio
“State inspectors” are taking names of people at the door. Then they go inside and have to be checked off another 2 times. Really slowing down the lines
034489
11/02/04, 8:41 AM PST
Identification-related problem; Disability access problem
ELMIRA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, W. 98TH ST & ELMIRA, CUYAHOGA County, Ohio
OVPC# 9, OVPC# 4. DISABLED VOTERS DENIED ACCESS BECAUSE NO CURB-SIDE VOTING, REQUIRED TO DESCEND STAIRS TO VOTE. POLL WORKERS SAY THEY ARE UNABLE TO HELP. ALSO, REGISTERED VOTERS ARE NOT ON LIST, WORKERS ARE WRONGLY TELLING VOTERS THEY ARE NOT ON LIST.
034596
11/02/04, 8:44 AM PST
Identification-related problem; Other polling place problem
Stephen A Howe Elementary School, Lakefield btw Superior and St. Claire, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Voters are being turned away generally if they do not have ID.
034848
11/02/04, 8:50 AM PST
Other
TAYLOR ACADEMY, S. TAYLOR, CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, CUYAHOGA County, Ohio
OVPC# 14, POLL WORKERS TURING AWAY VOTERS WEARING “VOTE OR DIE” TEE-SHIRTS
034948
11/02/04, 8:56 AM PST
Other
COLLINWOOD BRANCH LIBRARY, 152 & STCLAIR, CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA County, Ohio
OVPC# 14, VOTERS MISDIRECTED TO WRONG POLLING PLACE. SOMEONE CALLED THEM FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., TOLD THEM TO GO TO A NEW POLLING PLACE. MANY PEOPLE WENT TO THE WRONG PRECINCT.
035351
11/02/04, 9:25 AM PST
Provisional ballot problem; Other
98th St. and Almira, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Poll Coordinator says people are not well trained. Turning people away w/o giving them a provisional ballot. Went in with a voter and he was then given a provisional ballot. Not doing curbside voting for handicapped people who can’t make it down the stairs.
035787
11/02/04, 9:25 AM PST
Insufficient number of ballots; Provisional ballot problem
103 Miles Avenue, Cuyohoga County, Ohio
No HAVA provisional ballots at polling place; giving out Ohio provisional ballots instead. At least 7 instances. volunteer attorney manually completing HAVA requirements and notarizing
036288
11/02/04, 9:41 AM PST
Provisional ballot problem
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Was refused provisional ballot
049041
11/02/04, 5:33 PM PST
Voter Intimidation
Warrensville Hts. Civic Center, Warrensville Heights, Ohio, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Police are waiting with warrants for arrests. When voters sign in they are being arrested before they vote.
050281
11/02/04, 6:41 PM PST
Machine problem; Provisional ballot problem; Long lines
Milo Elementary, Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Turning voters away without offering provisional ballot
050915
11/03/04, 6:53 AM PST
Other
Grace Lutheran Church 13001 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
4 whites in parking lot asking only blacks for name and number. When asked, told callers they were taking names so they wouldn’t call people to remind them to vote who had already voted. People asking questions didn’t identify themselves.
050923
11/03/04, 7:12 AM PST
Voter Intimidation; Identification-related problem
Woodbury School, Shaker Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Republican challengers demanding African Americans produce licenses in order to vote. Many people leaving.
035411
11/02/04, 9:16 AM PST
Provisional ballot problem; Other polling place problem; Other
Mott Branch Library, Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio
[multiple precinct] lines are not separated and people are being turned away when [they] asked for provisional ballot[s]
035918
11/02/04, 9:33 AM PST
Voter Intimidation
Toledo Community School, [exact location not clear], Lucas County, Ohio
A poll worker has been a problem. 1. Yelling at voters, 2. Kicking out votes, 3. When handing out provisional ballots telling voters that “doing this illegally is a felony”, 4. Forcing out non-partisan poll monitors from MoveOn. Poll monitors say that 1 in 5 voters exiting the polling place has been bothered by this poll worker. [P]
050988
11/03/04, 8:07 AM PST
Insufficient number of ballots
All Saints Lutheran Church 5445 Heacherdowns, Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio
2 potential voters reported turned away after polling station “ran out of ballots.” Confirmed that station ran out and was turning people away
The blatancy of this is almost too painful to read. Bob is right when he says that this was death by a thousand wounds. Those looking for the one smoking gun that leads to the Oval Office ignore the many ways that many people contributed to the stealing of democracy in November 2004.
And in Ohio and a few other key states (e.g. New Mexico) it was definitely stolen. One day all the facts will be widely accepted and Bush will earn his just reward – the worst president ever and a man who was nevr really elected president!