Tim Robbins' Polling Place Nightmare: He's Turned Away! (VIDEO)

Politically active actor Tim Robbins almost didn't get to vote in New York.

TMZ reports Robbins was turned away at his polling place.

There was some kind of ruckus and the cops were called.

Apparently Robbins has been voting at that polling place for more than a decade, but today his name wasn't on the register. They told Robbins he had to fill out a provisional ballot but he didn't want to do it. An argument erupted between Robbins and the poll worker. Robbins allegedly got loud and the poll worker said he was calling the cops.

Robbins accused the poll worker of trying to intimidate him so he wouldn't vote.

Robbins went downtown to the City Board of Elections to get proof he was good to vote.

That's where a TMZ camera caught up with him. Robbins held up his papers and told the camera:

"This is what you have to do to vote... I had to go down to see a judge... My name was not on the roll, and I'm not the only one. According to workers, 30 people in 5 hours had been taking off the rolls. You can do the math on that. 6 per hour, per district across America..."

WATCH:

Comments

[marinara]

they cant arrest everyone can they?

[MalloMel]

They could try.

[strandwolf]

Getting arrested (w/paper trail) works for me. Getting disappeared: not so much.

[Mezzeta]

I am sure that it is all the GOP's fault...if they were that good they would have won.

[MalloMel]

They were good. Just not good enough... sorry.

[elcojonu]

And the only reason he was paid attention to was because of who he was.
The average Guy or Gal would have been told to go away or risk getting arrested.
Barack HAS to look into the voting messes across the country; Democracy is at stake.

VIVA BARACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bitsko]

That is just not so. New York City isn't Palookaville (which by the way is Sarah Palin's new home).

[MalloMel]

I've learned in life not to trust anyone except my wife, children and some very close friends. All the rest of the people can just go kiss my @ss, because they are not to be trusted, especially if they are Republicans.

[DocKenny]

If this comment was for George Bush, it would not be deleted.
But, for the third time, here it goes.
Nice picture Tim, now, have another drink.

[shanefish]

Oh, now drunks can't vote? If that is where we are, then I propose morons be stripped of the right to vote as well. Sorry about your luck Doc!

[jackthecommentor]

Drunks can only run for president, and ruin the country after 8 yrs!

[Bitsko]

I thought you tr0lls all turned into pumpkins last night. Your post proves I'm right.

[radnip]

Please, anyone who has been disenfranchised, fight, fight fight! If you do not, we'll see this again in 2 years, in 4 years...

Contact the ACLU!

[realpolitic]

This incident involving someone famous like Robbins is just another example of Republican election shenanigans. Robbins was right not to fill out a provisional ballot, however. I believe they are only counted if the election is contested. It is a shame that in a mature democracy like ours people must go through such hoops to exercise the simple, patriotic act of voting.

[wolfgangmo]

I heard on the radio yesterday an interview with one of the bigwigs of the hew polling organization talking about how it was OK that just over 50% of people thought there vote would be counted and that the voting system wasn't corrupt.

In a functioning democracy there wouldn't be any questions in anyones minds. One of my friends is a network and internet security expert and he says that any electronic voting machine can be corrupted, and likely is if the software is not open source, which none of them are.

Our elections are being stolen until proven otherwise. I can think of no other explanation besides inbreeding and attendance at evangelical churches to explain the re-election of Michelle "anti-american" Bachmann in Minnesota's 6th district.

Tim - you are one of the great actors alive today and one of the greatest american voices heard today. Don't ever stop being yourself. Your are an example of what makes this country great.

[Bitsko]

You missed something. This happened in New York City, the greatest Democratic Party town in the country. It was a simple computer glitch, and not part of the vast global right wing conspiracy (which by the way I believe is real).

[MalloMel]

Just goes to show how far reaching that, "vast global right wing conspiracy," goes.

Don't think for a moment, that right wing nut jobs are not in New York city. Well, they are. They're all over the place. The election results show that almost half of Americans are just that. They're not just in Alabama,, or Mississippi, or Utah. They're all over. It's enough to make one paranoid. Now, excuse me while I go and hide.

[blastit]

I live in California and I also had to vote provisional because they sad I had requestd an absentee ballot I had not I never vote absentee and certainly did no ask for it , I was pissed and called the registers office and told them what happend if I did't live California I would have called the police,

just another victim of GOP tactics

[2grainsofsalt]

Me too. And I know someone who dated Tim Robbins. No, really.

[teasley]

Did it occur to you that perhaps one of your ACORN buddies requested an absentee ballot in your name? They have a record of such things. Yet you immediately blame the GOP. Once again we see liberal inclusiveness and tolerance. In a country where millions of voters are registered and vote, do you think there is a possiblity of mistakes? I have had mistakes made on home titles, car registrations etc. I never blamed those darn liberals here in Miinnesota. Who are we to blame for every thing that doesn't go our way now that the GOP is out of power?

[MalloMel]

You.

[waitforme]

Same here: Next to my name on the rolls it said I had 'requested an absentee ballot'. (I had not.) I was told I had to use a provisional ballot. I refused. Tim Robbins also did not want to use a provisional ballot. Why not? Two reasons: 1. We have been told provisional ballots do not get treated with the same respect as normal ballots. 2. In order to vote on a provisional ballot (in L.A. County) you are given a normal ballot but you HAVE to put it into a pink envelope ON THE OUTSIDE OF WHICH you HAVE TO write all your personal information. YOU HAVE TO WRITE YOUR BIRTH-DATE, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, ADDRESS AND PHONE. THIS IS TOO MUCH INFORMATION TO GIVE TO RANDOM POLL WORKERS WHOM YOU DON'T KNOW OR TRUST TO KEEP CONFIDENTIAL. This is the reason I don't vote absentee. The mail-in envelope also demands all this information -- ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENVELOPE.

TO DEBORAH BOWEN, CA Sec'y of State, and to the L.A. County Registrar of Voters: This is too much information to give to the outside world willy-nilly. I have been a victim of identity theft. I will never vote if I have to expose all my personal information. I understand Tim Robbins' frustrations, to be threatened with not being able to VOTE -- in this historic election, especially.

Fortunately, we both got to vote; but I don't know if my vote was counted. Bah!

[ProFromOre]

It is against the law for any Federal or State agency except the SS Administration to demand your SS number for ANY purpose. Call the DoJ and file a charge against the Sec State, et al.

[XME]

Good for him! I'm actually glad this happened to someone famous, because it was an opportunity to highligh how people who are clearly who they are can be refused their right to vote, and he was the perfect example that sometimes you have to FIGHT for your right to vote!

[MayaPapaya]

Aww he seems like such a good guy. So polite and calm-natured

[wolfgangmo]

The thing is, is that Tim Robbins is a reasonable man. This followed the GOP script.

Scene one. A short round bald fat shady man who looks vaguely like Karl Rove mails a letter requesting an absentee ballot for Tim Robbins. [Fade to black as his hand stuffs the envelope into the mailbox. Laughter is heard as the scene fades].

Same man is seen in a restaurant in NYC telling another man to make a fuss, take offence, and call the cops if Tim Robbins says anything. "Make sure you act offended and make sure you speak up and say very loudly,'sir, if you don't stop threatening me, I'll have to call the cops.' I find that it words best if you say stuff like that loudly while whispering to the person that you are going make sure they can't vote. The idea is to make them seem unstable to the people around you. Make sure no one else can hear you. " [fade to election night as an envelope stuffed with non sequential 20's is passed across the table]

[leevntheus]

No polls in Oregon. Just official drop locations @ county offices for those that, for whatever reason, couldn't or wouldn't stick it back in the mailbox.

I'm so glad voting here is so STRESS FREE and EASY.

I voted a week ago.

Neener neener neener

[lizr]

Yeah you guys are a little too advanced for us... here in VT we early voted, most of us, in the last wk or two. it was easy.

[TheJourneytoChange]

History! America united, for change. May God Bless each American with knowledge, responsibility, understanding and wisdom to each be responsible to effectively bring positive change. I hope to see young men raise up their pants to the waist line, and make their way to college classroom all across America. I pray to see young girls/ladies stop having babies so young and unmarried and focus on education and walk into the college classroom and secure a great education. I pray for parents to get in the habit of setting a dinner table where the families come back to the dining room table for family dinner with a set hour. I pray for all the very very young children tuned in to read books, and gain solid knowledge to empower the journey of our continual generation of leaders, Americans equipped and empowered with education. I pray for Love, healing naturally, spiritually, and financially to open the door to compassion and peace to rise in the heart of every American. But above all that I pray for I pray that people will come to know the Lord and respect the creator of our Land. Thank Him for His Son Jesus. In the name of Jesus. Amen

[lizr]

I'm on board for 99 % of all that. May we see it happen.

[lizr]

let's just skip the Jesus part..

[GibsonSG]

I agree. The sooner we can all let go of ancient fairy tales designed to keep the masses in line, the sooner we can advance as a people.

[minderbinder22]

Add me to the Skip the Jesus consensus. The sooner we can shelve this nonsense with the rest of our obsolete mythology, the sooner we might actually see that united America (and world) you're hoping for.

[NHGranite]

You can let Jesus back in the voting booth when those who follow Christianity vote the Jesus philosophy.

What does raising their pants to their waist lines have to do with God's blessing? Hello, Jesus didn't even wear pants! When do working parents who make enough money to send their kids to college make it home to have dinner at a set time? Would you let the schools teach evolution? And how old was Mary when she had her baby?

[MalloMel]

Your questions require religionists to think. So, don't hold your breath.

[radnip]

I believe in

Aliens --> crazy.
Fairies --> crazy.
Elves --> crazy.
UFOs --> crazy.
God --> upstanding citizen.

[MalloMel]

I get your point, but it is going to take evolution to change this. In the meantime, you might as well get used to all the crazy stuff going on, because it is going to be with us for a very long time. Obama might help some, but that is only temporary,,, sorry. In the meantime, look to your own and try to be safe. Good luck.

[PhoenixWmn]

BarbWiregrrl- I've worked EXTREMELY hard for Obama, made many sacrifices to support his campaign, devoted tremendous energy to working for him for over a year. I'm also an election official, a Supervisor. We don't check signatures against a master log here; in fact, it's against the law to ask a voter for ID UNLESS there is a notation in the pollbook, which requires signature of another supervisor + further documentation. Being responsible for your vote is solemn; election officials I know take it VERY seriously. Your election official was maybe a little overzealous, I doubt she was trashing your vote,only because that'd be so easily tracked, a paper trail Jose Feliciano could follow, not to mention a felony offense they WILL put your a*s away for.
Had you behaved that way here, you'd have been escorted out. I would have challenged your vote because you allowed an 8 yr old to push the buttons. Your nephew is not a registered voter, and although the vote is yours, the job of protecting it is ours; it isn't a hands-on isn't-that-cute learning experience for an 8 yr old. ( there are other ways to teach a child the importance of voting-YOU taught him to disrespect the process.) In a place our forefathers shed blood for, you violated it's sanctity. Calling out your vote was illegal/disrespectful to other voters and officials who work selflessly, tirelessly to safeguard your vote. Shame on you, I doubt Barack would approve.

[keepemhonest]

PhoenixWmn,

Get real, you are a blow hard.... deny me my right to vote and I am IN YOUR FACE!... Way to go Robbins.

[njhamdan]

Are for you real?......He did what he had to do...b/c of voter suppresion......don't act ignorant of what is going on in America....good for u that u voted for our president obama....but don't get rightous about his reaction...it was a real reaction from a person denied his rights...............yea, SHAME on U for trying to defend..................good job Mr. Robbins!

[lizr]

Phoenix woman I can see your point.

SO are these electoral officials that are purging the voter rolls and depriving people of the rt to vote going to jail then?

IS this something I should expect to happen anytime soon?

[waitforme]

I don't know what comment you are replying to. When a child can 'help' vote he or she learns something about the voting process. Of course you have to check to make sure he is doing it right. And of course you do do that. To call this an 'isn't that cute experience' is sorry. She didn't 'teach him to disrespect the process', on the contrary.

(And let's not set up Barack Obama as the ultimate judge, or god, or parent, here. He needs to keep grounded, and has far too much to do already. There are many officials in between, such as election officials and legislators who make the laws about voting.)

[BrickSykes]

Tim's point is this: The issue that incensed him had been planned and executed by Republican operatives, or their hired guns, to remove his name from the rolls, and that has happened over SIX MILLION TIMES THIS ELECTION according to Greg Palast. Palast is the country's resident guru of Election Fraud...he knows how all the votes are being stolen, by whom, and he's got a pretty good plan to fix it. Of course, people in the Congress MUST come on board to fund the fixes, but it MUST happen!!

This is what Sam Ervin said about the Watergate burglars:

If the many allegations to this date are true, then the burglars who
broke into the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee
at the Watergate were, in effect, breaking into the home of every
citizen of the United States. And if these allegations prove to be
true, what they were seeking to steal were not the jewels, money or
other property of American citizens, but something more valuable --
their most precious heritage: the right to vote in a free election.

The Republican CROOKS who stole these SIX Million votes don't believe that the "Right to Vote in a Free Election" means very much. They need to be rooted out, this time, and put in jail!! Then maybe their children won't grow up to be like them!!

Brick

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

The most important thing Obama can do as President, is to fix the voting system in this country.

Firstly, the fact that we don't vote on the weekend is ridiculous.

Secondly, there needs to be an electoral commission/agency, which is Independent and incorruptible. It should oversee all the voting, in all the states.

State and district officials cannot be trusted.

We need a computerized system that is impenetrable with one type of machine where the software can be scrutinized and checked by the election commission/agency.

All machines must have a paper trail and all votes cast must be handled by a contracted security company.

If we don't have voting that's fair and unable to be tampered with, it's not democracy. It's just a rigged system that favors the crooked and corrupt.

[DinSea]

I heartily agree. There is no excuse for our voting to be such a mess each and every election. Maybe once and for all we can get this fixed.

[lizr]

Absolutely. WHy is it not a holiday, Election Day? we have so many ridiculous holidays.

And yes PLEASE take it out of the hands of local and state officials. Totally untrustworthy. Not all, but enough to poison the process.

There must be access to paper ballots for those who choose them, who wish to have their votes count.

[wolfgangmo]

Fund the fixes? What kind of funding do you need to fix this. Almost none.

In Canada the make sure that voting day is on a weekend and that every employer is required to let employees off to vote with pay.

They are also the second largest country in the world and have one of the lowest populations and they have a 100% accurate paper trail. How, you ask? They use paper and a number 2 pencil. Their ballots are easy to read with BIG boxes next to the candidates name. Put your check in the box by the person you vote for.

They also have election results within about 1 hour of the polls closing. And this country is so big and spread out that they have voting boxes sent by dog sled in some areas.

And yet here we think that we need to spend money and have all sorts of technological fixes to a process that is pretty simple. All we need is a federal law requiring pencils and paper.

[HillbillyBob]

Simple is best. I lived in Broward county during the 2000 mess. The ballots were poorly designed, a bunch were shredded before even counting, a bunch of folks were told since their name sounded like a felons or that they were related to felon , they could not vote.
Truth to tell they were not told that until after the so called election. If you are a citizen you have the right, duty and privilege to vote.
All of those who have collaborated with the reich in denying, dumping from the rolls or other bs disenfranchising our citizens to vote have committed felony fraud and civil rights abuse and should go to jail for their bit of fun.

[Atomicat]

I find this particularly hilarious as I figured the perfect movie to watch tonight would be "Bob Roberts". I had just put it on when I ran across this story. Vote "Bob" (you know the one I mean!)

[Star2000dancer]

That's exactly what happened to me in 2000 & 2004 in Western New York! Then when they put me in a corner to fill out a ballot,when I handed it in, they just threw it on a pile. They never even checked my ID. I know it was'nt counted because they already called my state before I even drove home.