As Election Nears, Dirty Tricks Grow More Common

As the election nears, examples of political dirty tricks are emerging with greater frequency.

On Tuesday, the Virginia Pilot reported that a phony Board of Elections flier was circulating the state "advising Republicans to vote on Nov. 4 and Democrats on Nov. 5." Voting, of course, is on the 4th only, creating fear among neutral observers and the Obama campaign that people were simply going to miss the opportunity to go to the polls.

Earlier this month, meanwhile, an anonymous flier was circulating in predominantly African-American neighborhoods in Philadelphia telling voters they could be arrested at the polls if they show up to vote with outstanding arrest warrants or unpaid parking tickets. This is also untrue.

Dirty tricks and phony fliers represent the dark underside of nearly every election. And certainly, when it comes to the current contest, these tactics started long ago. Last March, as Time Magazine noted, a letter was being sent around Colorado, warning that out-of-state students could not register if their parents claimed them as dependents in another state." One of the more common falsities making its way through email chains has warned voters in some states (updated below) that they will be turned away from the polls if they wore paraphernalia demonstrating their support for one particular candidate.

Since these antics are becoming more and more common we encourage readers to send in tips or episodes they have witnessed to the Huffington Post.

UPDATE: Several readers have pointed out that, in fact, several states do prohibit passive electioneering (buttons, t-shirts, etc.) in polling places. In Texas, for example, the law is as follows:

[A] person may not wear a badge, insignia, emblem, or other similar communicative device relating to a candidate, measure, or political party appearing on the ballot, or to the conduct of the election, in the polling place or within 100 feet of any outside door through which a voter may enter the building in which the polling place is located.

Comments

[2cntswrth]

Republicans really need to seriously think about their party. This kind of thing is why they are losing power. So far this campaign season we've witnessed from them multiple lies, personal character defamation, inciting violence, racism, religious intolerance, hatemongering, and glorification of ignorance. All of these very same things were done to McCain by Republicans when he ran in 2000. Instead of moving above this and showing that he is a different type of person representing his party, he has embraced this behavior thinking it will win him the election. What he's failing to realize is that most people are not effected in a positive way by these tactics, instead it is just the opposite. So now that people are rejecting their negative approach, they would like to supress voters. Just when we thought they couldn't go any lower.

[PTAOfficerforObama]

I am sad to say that this will be my first time voting as a Dem. It is because I was so ashamed of my former party's stealing of 2000 and 2004. To attone for my sins, I have given to the Obama campaign in both time and money.
6 days! DOn;t get complacent.

[reno1190]

THANK YOU RIGHT MOVE YOU WILL NOT REGRET

[Plank]

Why do these Rethugs hate America and democracy? A pamphlet in Virginia telling democrats they need to vote Nov 5 and other vicious intimidations. This is the party that has destroyed the economy, made us less safe and violated the constitution and international law. Generations of Americans have sacrificed their lives defending democracy. The least we can do is to honor their sacrifice and VOTE.
These tactics will not work this time. We are not going to be intimated by a bunch of thugs.

[GingerB]

The GOP electorate likes authoritarian thugs.

[honestpolitician]

It's not just the republicans themselves causing this fraudulent behavior, but it's also the supporters as well that are suppressing the vote.

http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/

[Alaskan99577]

Alaska also forbids political signs, buttons, and the like at the polling place. I happen to agree with the rule, it keeps canvassers from either camp from harrassing voters or trying to sway them at the last second. Last thing I want to see on my way in the door is some graphic anti-choice poster being waved in the face of any person trying to do their civic duty, no matter who they feel is the best choice.

[pupbayer]

Absolutely. It's a good law.

[Bongborg]

I think it's time we told the Republican Party in no uncertain terms a few facts, like we outnumber them, and if they steal the election this time, it's their a$$e$.

[pupbayer]

If Mc Cain wins, Democrats will say the Republicans "stole" the election. If O bama wins, the Republicans will say the Democrats "stole" the election. It's a given.

I don't know that making threats is really a way to handle it.

[Bongborg]

Making threats isn't. Carrying them out is. Those people are good at avoiding consequences and this time of all times they need to know they WON'T.

[blastit]

we all know that Republicans lie so at this point who cares what they say or think

[BillCarson]

>If Mc Cain wins, Democrats will say the Republicans "stole" the election. If O bama wins, the Republicans will say the Democrats "stole" the election. It's a given

The difference is that (at this date at least) the EV count is O bama 364 Mc Cain 157 Ties 17 -- http://www.electoral-vote.com/

[MsMike]

If you are worried about the election being “stolen” or about your vote being counted, here are some things you can do:
If you are a registered voter, don't let anyone or anything stop you from voting or stop your vote from counting! Before you vote, look at a sample ballot for your area, and read this story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/myra-armstrong/easy-steps-to-ensure-your_b_136904.html. Call the hotline number 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) for advice before you go to vote or for help if you are turned away or have a problem at your election location. When you go to vote, take good ID, your cell phone, note paper & pencil. Write down and carry the hotline phone # with you.
Check your Ballot very carefully before you finish voting to be sure that you actually have selected the desired candidates.
If you ask for help from election officials, be polite. If you call the hotline number for help, give complete information and be patient.

[BillCarson]

Here's some more info from Obama's website:

Find Your State Information: http://www.barackobama.com/voters/
Report any voting problems: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/vpcreport
For lawyers, volunteer: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/vpcvol2

By the way, one of the problems is that on election day the republicans may try to "jam" the phone number with phony calls as they've done in the past.

Six days to go.

[TOOO]

Yes, the Republicans used dirty tricks in 2000 & 2004, and got away with it.

However, as you may recall, they ALSO tried these dirty tricks in 2006, and were simply OVERWHELMED by Democratic voters. I think this will be true again this year. (Also, I live in NY State, and, as far back as I can remember, NY always goes Democratic­.)

But I'm taking nothing for granted. With my insane work schedule, there's not much I can do to help, except vote, and I will vote.

[shockmagog]

I was thinking of becoming a Republican.

Do I have to be a convicted felon, or just a parolee, or can I go to prison afterward?

[xmw]

Lie and grin, lie and grin

[pjburns11]

Trick or Treat!

This year for Halloween, I've decided to dress up as either Sarah Palin, Michele Bachman, Joe the Plumber or The Wolfman.

OOoh, it's getting scary! Like some political Poe!

Happy Halloween!

Quoth the Maverick..­.

http://thetruthburns.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/quoth-the-maverick/

[mcliberty]

I am a poll worker in Ohio and we were taught that no political attire is permitted inside a polling place or any county Board of Election offices. This means no Obama buttons, no McCain shirts, you can't even wear political attire for a candidate not on the ballot. During training I asked about Ron Paul shirts (he is not on the ballot or approved write in candidate list). Even those have to be asked to be turned inside out. School attire, such as letter jackets, can't be worn either because school issues are on the ballot.

[grata2ude]

I dare them to make me take off my McCain/Palin underoos.

[LMurphy418]

Any self-respecting individual would not wear McPalin underoos.

[Helanren]

That sort of redefines the term 'commando'­.....

[pupbayer]

It's been like that forever in Ohio. I forgot to remove a Clinton button in 1996 and they stopped me and made me remove it. They had a lot of trouble in Columbus this year with ACORN delivering people for the open voting in Obama vans and pulling right up to the door which was within the "no politicking" zone.

[Sloane7]

Doesn't Obama plan to have a ton of attorneys at the polling places?

[Diogenis]

YES! And selected Law Students! I have met Obama..and he has this planned well.

[walktothelight]

Obama is a wise man...he is brilliant.
Obama/Biden 08!!!!!!!!

[obamadeus]

Then where are they? And why aren't they complaining about the voting machines flipping votes to Republicans?

[shelobo]

I didn't know a person could be registered to vote in two states at the same time ,and vote in both states?A guy has told my husband he votes here in Texas ,which is where he lives full time he works with my Husband ,and the guy also votes in North Carolina ,where the guy has relatives but he himself does not live there.This is odd BTW the guy is a Republican ....does anyone know if this voter fraud and where to report it too if so?

[AmandaBC]

I heard that Republican transexuals are allowed to do that... ;)

[Punkynsnow]

if he resides in Texas then that is where it is legal for him to vote. It is not legal to be registered to vote in more than one state. He might just be running his mouth off to your husband because he's a jerk. If you are concerned and have some concrete information about where he may have voted in N.C., try these numbers:

N.C. State Board of Elections [phone] or [phone]
N.C. Secretary of State main number (919) 807-2000

[whoizit]

This is the contact information for the NC State Board of Elections:

http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/content.aspx?id=9

Seeing as he reckons he's voting there just because his rellies live there, it would be the one to ask questions/report his behaviour to.

[obamadeus]

Sometimes when you change where you've registered to vote, the old county won't take your name off the registration list. It is illegal to vote in both places, and this should be reported.

[Just Joe]

Here are some suggestions from election integrity experts at TrueVote.us, and from Emily Levy of Velvet Revolution's StandingForVoters.org and Ellen Theisen of VotersUnite.org. on what to do if you vote on an electronic machine that switches your vote.

* Get the machine's serial number, if possible
* Call over a poll supervisor to observe the problem
* Insist on filling out a problem report
* Refuse to vote on that machine
* Request that the machine be taken out of service and impounded for later forensic examination
* Tell all the voters waiting in line exactly which machine flipped your vote (third machine from the left, or whatever)
* Report the problem via election integrity hotlines, twitter, and the voter suppression wiki. Information on how to do that is here.
* Call the county, city, and state election offices and report the problem. Find those phone numbers at http://votesmart.org/mystate_summary.php
* Call reporters and tell them about the problem

Please pass this information on!

[Punkynsnow]

This is really good information, thanks for sharing it.

[LiberalBuzz]

This should be pinned to the top of the page for the next 7 days.

[AlisonJ]

Thank you for some (sadly) necessary and useful information. It's now the responsibility of each voter to safeguard her or his own right to vote. It's my understanding that my state doesn't utilize machines, but the fact that we could "run out" of ballots, or even need to educate ourselves on our rights in the event that voting lines require extending polling site hours beyond the 8 PM (in my state) closing hour, is a sad, sad commentary on the extent to which McCain is bent on trouncing individual rights in his quest for power. I'll wait for days to ensure that he and his running mate, that ignorant, racist demagogue Palin, do NOT get my vote.

I'll be proud to vote for Obama and Biden. Finally, in my lifetime, I can vote FOR someone, in good conscience, and not merely AGAINST the greater of two bad choices.

[discerningcitizen]

Thank you for great advice. I am a third time poll worker in my state and delighted that we have paper ballots which are scanned. The biggest problem we had last election..­.people did not use the marking pens provided. I was the warden (and will be for this election) so I was able to send folks back to remark their ballots (the machine spits it back out and says it is unmarked). I expect to be standing by the machine all day. I had one voter in the primary who had OCD, I gave him a fresh out of the box marker and all was ok.

In my state, every polling place is equipped with an auto-mark machine. We haven't spoken much about ADA voting regulations. I wonder if anyone has been unable to vote due to disability.

[naturesway]

So...YO...­if you have a warrent out against ya...dont go votin

[diamondgirl9]

He's lying to keep u from voting-the cops are NOT going to arrest you.

[Diogenis]

You are a diamond!! Obama/Biden 08

[doctordawg]

GO AND VOTE, or four years from now, PRESIDENT PALIN WILL ARREST YOU!

[Diogenis]

Not so. Do not fear. Go and VOTE!

Obama/Biden 08

If you have faith, than live by that faith. Not fear. God ...will bless you and America

[roald]

Especially if you are a Republican?

[Quipman]

These Republican officials who are sending out false fliers or threatening arrest on college campuses should be arrested and thrown in jail for their acts. That would put a end to this type of behavior once and for all. And the Republicans say they love this country so much. I can't wait until Tuesday so the voters can put a end to the Republicans hopes and dreams. I can't wait to see the end of what I call the George Bush dumb dumb era!