Dems Mobilize Against GOP-Planned Showdown at Ohio Polls

Republicans intend to place GOP recruits inside Ohio polling places on Election Day to challenge the qualifications of certain voters. The Obama campaign told OffTheBus it intends to counter with the most massive voter protection effort Ohio has ever seen. "Democrats learned their lesson in 2004," said the high-level spokesman.

GOP officials defended their plans by pointing out that aggressive moves by Democrats to register tens of thousands of new voters in Ohio could easily lead to fraud. Every vote matters in this battleground state, which could emerge as a pivotal hot-spot on Nov. 2.

Now Ohio officials are scrambling to prepare for GOP disruptions to the voting process, which could lead to ugly scenes and long longs that frighten away voters. "This creates chaos and confusion at the polling site" according to Doug Lewis, executive director of the Election Center, an international association of election officials. "But most courts say it's permissible by state law and therefore can't be denied."

According to an Obama spokesperson, the Dems will "meet -- if not double -- the number of GOP recruits We've been recruiting in-state and out-state for months. Nearly 90 percent of our volunteers are lawyers or law students. We are well-organized, and have a mountain of resources at our disposal." The Obama campaign said they have been ramping up for months, to aggressively defend every vote in this battleground state.

Republicans traditionally enlist their largest numbers of recruits in the heavily Democratic urban neighborhoods of Cleveland, Dayton, and other large cities.

In Youngstown, Democrat organizers are ready to meet the challenge. "We have a robust voter protection program in place, to make sure every vote legally cast will be counted," Tom Reynolds, deputy communications director for the Obama campaign, told OffTheBus.

Already the challenges have begun. Earlier this month, the GOP successfully challenged 200,000 names on the Ohio voter list, however this lower-court ruling was tossed out by the U.S. Supreme Court days later. Last Friday, President Bush asked the Justice Dept. to look into whether those 200,000 new Ohio voters must "reconfirm" their registrations before Election Day, to make certain mismatches don't signal fraudulent registrations.

Both the Democrats and the Republicans have waged huge campaigns to register millions of new voters in all the tossup states. The developments in Ohio provide a glimpse of how those efforts could play out on Election Day.

Comments

[browngy]

The the voter disenfranchisment games have long since begun. Remember 2000 and 2004? How about two weeks ago? What is the solution, try to keep the polls open and honest. Poll watch. Encourage your friends to work at the polls. Below find my message to attorneys, law students, and paralegals.

Fellow Attorneys, Law Students, and Paralegals:

As you know by now, we are in an election for our Country"s and our people"s very survival. Senator Barack Obama will not make it to the White House unless we all help. Sure, he is leading in the polls, but as Election Day draws closer, the McCain/Palin machine has openly ramped up the vitriol and outright lies in an attempt to win this election.

How can you help? We need "poll watchers" to travel to key battleground states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and Virginia. By joining the Obama Campaign for Change, you will become part of a team that will help ensure that all eligible voters are able to cast their votes on Election Day, and that all votes are counted. To sign up, visit: http://my.barackobama.com/counselforchange

If you have questions, feel free to contact Barbara Rousey, Coordinator of Voter Protection for the Democratic National Committee, at [phone], ext. 123 or at: [e-mail]

Finally, don't forget to complete your absentee ballot.

Ohio-Bound Obama/Biden Volunteer

[jdwoman]

Why should anyone be surprised that Bush will use the courts, the Justice Department or even the State Department to get what he wants? He was chosen president in 2000 by the Supreme Court, not the American people.

[lesterbud]

I have voted in the same place for 12 years.
Can someone please tell me how to check to see if I am on the official role?
I think this information should be checked by EVERY voter, no matter how they registered, to make sure our only real input to the political system is not violated.
Is the process the same in each state?
Can check on-line?

[quiksilver1382]

try votepoke.org

[BritishAmerican]

I'm in Florida and voted via absentee ballot 2 weeks ago. Saves my time and standing in long lines. This morning I emailed the supervisor of election to confirm receipt of my absentee ballot and they have received and approved it. I would advice anyone to use this method if your State allows it.

[Grit]

Voter fraud to the republicans is just another tool to steal elections. Thats the reason McCain still thinks he can win. He knows that they are making a real effort to steal the elections in all the close battle ground states and therefore he can walk away with it on a squeaker. And again we will have a president who lost the popular vote. Probably this time by the most ever in history. Replacing bush for that record. Even in the solid red state like I live, voter caging is a major component of the republican machine. After the last election the state republican chair boasted publicly about the thousands of votes they managed to disenfranchise. Ethics and decency have long been absent from the republican party and its leaders. And as more true conservatives leaning people abandon it the worst it is going to get. About all that is left are the Greedy rich, bigots, hate mongers, one issue insane and the ignorant.

[lesterbud]

GOP disenfranchisement plan:
1) Target AA neighborhoods, areas with high unemployment and high foreclosure rates. Wear special "brown-shirt" uniform so citizens know who you are.
2) Have fellow brown-shirts stand outside polling places to let incoming citizens know you are there only to keep their rights safe by challenging suspicious people and undesirables.
3) Let incoming citizens know you have a list of people suspected of registration fraud and if those people show up they will be arrested - all in the name of democracy. Let them know that if they think there is any chance they might be on that list, it would be best for them to just go home.
4) Challenge voters loudly to disrupt the voting place and slow down the process. Probably target white voters so that you don't get called racist - doesn't matter as long as you keep people in that precinct from voting.
5) If anyone complains or tries to stop you, yell out "my rights are being violated by the Democrats" and "the commies are taking over".
6) If you are arrested don't worry, you have done your part for the fatherland, I mean America. Just make as big a scene as possible on your way out.
Remember, if we lose - you are on your own!

[missedith]

If the GOP was right and voter fraud was really so widespread, why is it we never, ever hear about voter fraud on their side? I've never heard of Goppers who could not vote due to broken/slow machines, challenges to their person, etc.... So glad our side ain't falling for this one again.

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me, try to fool me a third time and we go medieval on ya!

[sak]

I don't like this one bit. If I had to go up against a mob of angry people trying to invalidate my right to vote, I might just walk away. The object of course, is to slow down the voting process and discourage voters. Put out the word to vote EARLY and void this mess and if you cannot, encourage the secretary of state to extend the time the polls are open to accommodate the disruption. There are two ways to skin a cat, my dad always said. Crude, but true. We cannot let these thugs mess up yet another election.

[cyndeewi]

Yes, vote early and leave the republicans to vote late.

[TheIndependenceParty]

Seems to me that the order, should there be one at all, should come from the Supreme Court to Mukasey and Bush, and Boehner to cease and desist from any tampering in Ohio. They decided the issue a week ago in favor of Ohio and that state's Secretary of State, Jennifer Brunner.

That Bush would even raise the specter of circumventing that decision by the court is an ominous sign that this election is in danger once again. That he would interfere with the intent of a Supreme Court ruling is mind-boggling, and a potential Constitutional showdown between co-equal branches.

Every storm begins with a few clouds. It seems this will be a very long and politically stormy week indeed.

[U5122]

Everyone that can vote early should. Then I would encourage them to offer a ride to the elderly and our first time voters. Explain to the youth what to expect what is normal what is not. Talk to them about avoiding common mistakes on their ballot. Encourage them to bring photo ID, Social Security Card and Birth Certificates, - just in case someone challenges them. I know when I first voted many years ago the poll workers were intimidating to me. They were overworked and did not have the time or patience to give me guidance. I already voted and explained things to my daughter and her husband who are first time voters. I am happy to say they voted early also. And don't forget to pray, I am a Christian and I happen to believe God is on the side of justice, not a political party.

[Obama08Supporter]

I am sicken to see an election for the highest office in the world be turned into a chlldlike fight. I voted early, and if you can you should too.

[ChescoMom]

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT allow the Rethugs to steal another election. Vote early, and give another donation to Obama and the Dems if it means they'll be able to support extra volunteers at the polls.

[BluePrideSMW]

I don't trust the voting machines purchased by repubs... they'll try something. Moms Mabley sings Abraham, Martin & John (and then, Bobby...) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNoBmaWICeo

[numbnuts]

Vote Early.
If not make sure you have ID, request a paper ballot.
Make SURE they don't make it a provisional ballot.

[pkafin]

"which could emerge as a pivotal hot-spot on Nov. 2."

What's happening on Nov. 2nd?

Perhaps the HuffPo editors should use more diligence when performing their duties.

[waxboy]

Here we are trying to spread Democracy around the world and can't even have a fair vote in our own country. GOP is shameless.

[genie555]

Makes me want to go to Ohio post-haste!!