I went to my election room to vote this morning. I found my district table, no problem. I show my ID and found in the book, no problem. I sign in and, as a registered Democrat, am handed a green voter card, no problem. No lines, no waiting, no problem.
The Booth Inspector asks me “Republican or Democrat.”
“Democrat. See, green card,” I say politely and hold up the card between his eyes and mine.
I step into the booth and I CANNOT vote Democrat. Sadly, we’re still using ancient, lever-pulling machines here in NY. So, I try again for the green columns. Nope. Nothing moves. I reach over and find I CAN move the red, Republican toggles. Problem.
I step out and say to the guy, “It’s not working. I can only vote red.”
“You said Republican, right.”
“No. Democrat. I gave you a green card.”
I see the red lamp is lit above our heads as he starts to look worried, repeating to no one in particular, “Oh, that other lady messed me up.” He then tells me he can’t reset the machine. Continuing, he says, “We have to wait until a Republican shows up and votes. You in a hurry?”
I am baffled and totally set back by this random statement. Trying to keep some good humor, I say “That could take a long time in New York.” He smiles in agreement and starts thinking. He looks to the ladies at the table (for whatever reason there are five (5) of them), they’re clueless. He’s clueless. The situation starts to feel hopeless and not comical. I worked with the government on an EAC and HAVA projects and I quickly realize this is the state of election affairs in this country, in the 21st Century. This is why those organizations were formed. This proves how ineffective they have been. Tax monies gone, votes lost, frustrations found (again).
I also see an opportunity. I step back into the booth, see the “Reset Lever” toggle at the bottom of the Republican ticket and switch it. That allows The Big Red Lever to move back to its original “pre-vote” position and, I assume, NOT register a vote (no toggles were thrown anyway).
“OK, set it to Democrat,” I tell him from behind the curtain.
“I can’t do that. The machine number already says you voted.” He points to the small counter on the machine.
“No, it’s fine. It still says 73.”
“No. no. We have to wait. Oh, no.” He starts to move about and belabor himself and repeating how “that other lady messed me up.”
I am amazed, saddened, flustered and angry. I hastily pick up my laundry bag and walk out, a non-voted voter. What’s worse, I searched a number of text strings related to “voter issues” and couldn’t find anywhere to lodge my complaint, so here it is.
UPDATE: Through some roundabout ways, I found 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) and, via the National Association of Social Workers (told ya they were obscure) the NYPIRG/Common Cause Election Day Voter Helpline (212) 822-0282.
How’d it go in your neck of the woods?