Glitches in Ohio

Posted: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 8:30 AM by Alan Boyle
Filed Under: Congress, States

From NBC's Ron Mott and Patrice Fletcher
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Here in the Buckeye State, the focus is not so much on the individual races but on the voting process, which was beset by problems during the 2004 presidential election. Already today, issues have been reported around the state with electronic voting machines, optical scanners, long lines and voter identification.

Two Republican House members reportedly encountered difficulties at their respective polling stations. U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot was said to be turned away for not having proper identification, and Rep. Jean Schmidt could not get the scanner to accept her ballot.

There are other sporadic reports of problems around the state, but state officials say they have heard nothing that would indicate an orchestrated effort to affect the voting process. For the first time, all 88 counties will utilize some form of electronic voting, retiring the much-maligned punch cards. Turnout is expected to reach 54 percent.

A group of Ohio State University law professors and their students will be closely monitoring the voting process here in Ohio as well as in nine other key states as well.

As for the campaigns, Democrats appear poised for a big celebration, holding comfortable leads in last-minutes polls for Senate and governor, both of which have been in Republican control for more than a dozen years.

According to the final Ohio Poll, sponsored by the University of Cincinnati, Republican Sen. Mike DeWine trails Democratic Rep. Sherrod Brown by as much as 12 percentage points, and Democrat Ted Strickland leads Republican Ken Blackwell in the gubernatorial race by 14 points.

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Comments

This is why we need Jennifer Brunner elected as the Ohio Secretary of State!!! I voted two weeks ago at my County Board of Elections. I didn't want to take the chance of my poll location having screwed up machines ... although to be fair, I have had no problems voting there in the past. Anybody in Ohio having problems with voting or poll locations is encouraged to call 1-888-Dem-Vote.

Tracy, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, November 07, 2006 1:29 PM)

I went to vote this morning, and, I was 'shocked' I had no problems. Neither did anyone I know in my area. Now I have nothing to complain about when the vote doesn't go my way...dang it...

M. Mark, Grand Rapids, MI (Sent Tuesday, November 07, 2006 1:31 PM)

I voted in Spring Township (Berks County), PA about 11 am. There was about 15 people in the line and it moved very quickly and smoothly. Too bad Ohio can't get it right again! Kudos to Spring Township, PA voting officials. Goodbye Santorum, Hello Casey! Rendell rocks!

MTM, Sinking Spring, PA (Sent Tuesday, November 07, 2006 1:31 PM)

I have to say that it took nearly fifteen minutes out of my pothetic existence for me to have a minute voice in the state and federal policies of Ohio for the next two years. I am surprised that people seem to be inconvenienced by glitches in an electric/mechanical system. First of all, for the people that hadn't updated their voting precincts as to their change of address; unless you moved five minutes ago, shame on you. Even if you did move five minutes ago, you should have known that you were GOING to move, and had ample time with which to inform your precinct, OR, you could have asked for a provisional ballot. To the people who were problemed by the fact that a machine or two went down; that's sad. It's only too bad we can't put a coffee or gas station attendant with you when you cast your ballot. I'm just worried that the geriatrics who ran my precinct know how to run these machines; I'm not sure they're less experienced with an old fashioned typewriter.

D. J. Piqua, OH (Sent Tuesday, November 07, 2006 2:08 PM)

It may be too late for many, but here's a couple things you can do. #1: Gang Vote Arrive with five! Never go bowling, make love or vote alone. And volunteer at get-out-the-vote operations. It’s worth it just for the stale donuts, cold coffee and hot democracy. #2: Tell Them to Take Their Provisional Ballot and … If they try to hand you a “provisional ballot,” scream bloody murder. If there’s a problem with your ID or registration, demand adjudication from a poll monitor, come back with proper ID, or demand appeal to the county supervisor of elections. But don’t just walk away. If it’s provisional or nothing, take it — then return for the count to defend it.

David, Lompoc California (Sent Tuesday, November 07, 2006 2:35 PM)

I arrived at voting station in Hilliard Ohio (heavily Republican Columbus suburb) at 6:35. One precinct had 7 voting machines, the other had 6. All were working. People that had married had to "jump through hoops", but it was mostly smooth sailing. I was out by 7AM. I am positive that Democratic areas in the city had far fewer operating machines. THIS IS VERY SUSPICIOUS

Bob Friesen, Hilliard, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, November 07, 2006 2:36 PM)

enough with the dem's vs rep's. I'm so sick of the division and the blaming and the negative ads. let's not turn into politicians here. we're all americans. we're all lucky we can vote. we're willing to stand in line longer at Starbucks or Cedar Point than to vote. it took me 10 minutes, no problems...even though my address wasn't updated on my license, they just wrote down the last 4 digits of my license number. the church we voted at even had food and coffee for us to sit and chat with one another. heaven forbid we converse with someone of the "other" party! (gasp!) oh yeah, and Jesus wasn't a republican. he was with the poor...who's standing with the poor these days? there're plenty of people standing with the middle class, and yet we're never satisfied. both parties need pressured to do what matters.

t.r. columbus ohio (Sent Tuesday, November 07, 2006 2:53 PM)

Not very smooth this morning in my voting station ( Berea Ohio ). Lots of mostly untrained old people attempting to get machines operational. Opened a few minutes late ( I was first in line ) but they were processing people very very slowly and line was backing up very quickly. It's a disaster I think for North East Ohio because my voting place is usually smooth compared to other locations in Cuyahoga County.

John H Berea OH (Sent Tuesday, November 07, 2006 3:42 PM)

I arrived at voting center in Lewis Center at 6:32am. I did have to wait 30 minutes. The line did move fast after the first 10 minutes. One voting machine was down.The wait wasn't bad at all. The poll workers seemed to know what they were doing, very friendly also!!

Judy Smith , Lewis Center, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, November 07, 2006 3:52 PM)

D.J. in Piqua, Perhaps you should re-read my post. My complaint is not that I had to wait. My complaint is not that I had to submit a provisional ballot. I expected delays (which actually were very short) and I knew I would have to submit a provisional ballot because I failed to update my voter registration card. My complaint was, read this carefully, that I was incorrectly told THREE TIMES that I was not eligible to vote for different reasons. Poll officials attempting to turn away voters is not an "inconvenience" issue. Shame on you!

Michael J. Smith, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, November 07, 2006 4:36 PM)

What's amazing to me, voting in Columbus, the line was short, the machines worked flawlessly, and I was in and out in less than 10 minutes total despite a moderate volume of people (~7:30 AM). I've heard people tell me about 40 minute waits, and the issue was not the machines, but the poor distribution of people per machine, and too many people from certain areas showing up at the same time. The most important thing to change? Study when different areas arrive for polling, on average, and set up a voter intake process that can deal with these fluctuations more efficiently. Having 50 people in one line and 5 in the next is just poor planning. After using the machine this morning, I truly hope that there isn't a soul alive that didn't understand what they were voting on.

J.T., Columbus, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, November 07, 2006 4:43 PM)

...i voted in cleveland today, with much difficulty. Somehow I was not in the magical book. I was last time, but not this time. I had to trapse to the thanksgiving kiddie table and fill in ovals with my blue ink pen so that they can lose the paper and not count my vote. I have great respect for anyone who volunteers at the polling places in Ohio, but feel that a defined learning program and certification should be required of our volunteers. Without my persistance I would have walked out. Nobody seems to know what they are doing.

Jeff MacDonald, Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, November 07, 2006 5:00 PM)

It's not over, until it's over... if the democrates do win over the house and senate, let's see how much more crying there will be. There's a REASON why the republicans have been in "control" the past XX years. That's no mistake. A mistake would be to have the democrates voted in just for the sake of doing so. You always know where a republican stands on an issue...you just never know where a democrate will stand period.

J.H., Cincinnati, OH (Sent Tuesday, November 07, 2006 5:33 PM)

I arrived at 6:20am with four people in front of me. The workers were having a tough time with the machines. By 6:35 the line starting forming, so they let us start the voting with the 3 machines that they had up. The first machine crashed while the first voter was voting and they couldn't get it working again. I voted by 7:00am, but when I left, the line was very long and only 2 of 5 machines were working. The workers were doing their best and they had been on hold for quite a while, trying to get technical assistance. I don't blame them. I hope it was morning jitters and everything is fixed by now... we need the people of Ohio to vote!!!

Amy, Columbus, OH (Sent Tuesday, November 07, 2006 6:00 PM)

I encountered a problem while trying to vote in Washington County, OH. I had changed addresses and was unable to vote, or cast a provisional ballot. The polling personal could not tell me at which precinct I was to vote at (which is strange because I live in a very small town!!!) I finally found my precinct and was allowed to cast a provisional ballot. At both polling places, I got the distinct impression that no one really knew what was really happening nor could they answer my questions. I wish I had just ordered an absentee ballot. Voting in Ohio is no longer a simple task!

Wes Whited (Sent Tuesday, November 07, 2006 6:44 PM)

This is farcical for a key state in a country spreading democracy. Australia (~20 million voters) still uses a paper ballot, just like Maine. Simple, reliable, traceable. Voting in Australia are conducted on Saturdays and the major party candidates usually include absentee voting how-to leaflet to assist those who are working that Saturday. There is no reason to sacrifice pay for an honest work to participate in a democracy. Note that voting is compulsory by law in Australia. Perhaps the first act of the new government should be to critically review current voting systems and replace it with a system that improves participation. Participation is a cornerstone of democracy. "Turnout is expected to reach 54 percent" should be reported as "46% of voters had a bad voting experience and can do without the pain again". Don't tolerate it, change it!

Jeff, Melbourne Australia (Sent Wednesday, November 08, 2006 1:02 AM)

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