Whistleblower » Blog Archive » Complaint about unequal treatment, lack of privacy in Brooklyn Park

Complaint about unequal treatment, lack of privacy in Brooklyn Park

Posted on November 4th, 2008 – 3:27 PM
By James Shiffer

Sharon LaQuier didn’t have an uplifting experience this election day at Zanewood Community Center in Brooklyn Park. Here’s her account:

The polling place was disorganized; non-registered voters were being processed much more quickly than registered voters with the result being that registered voters who had arrived early and waited in line weren’t able to vote until after many unregistered voters who arrived later.

In addition, they did not provide ballot protection envelopes so there was no privacy or secrecy. I resent being denied my right to a secret ballot due to lack of election officials’ preparation.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 at 3:27 pm and is filed under Election Day, Polling problems. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

30 Responses to “Complaint about unequal treatment, lack of privacy in Brooklyn Park”

» Next comment page »

Amelia Says:
November 4th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I gave up my right to privacy and voted at a table to help speed up the line, but I can understand her frustration.

I would suggest to anyone that is unhappy about election officials to sign up to be an election judge. They are often short of the number that they would like to have to help the process run smoothly. You can help make sure that this doesn’t happen in the future.
Ryan Says:
November 4th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I voted at Zanewood this morning shortly after 8am and it was busy and as organized as any election location we’ve been to. There was a long, 40-minute line to submit your ballot, but little issue with people getting registered or obtaining your ballot … The line was slow and deliberate, but both my wife and I thought that was a great thing because of the apparent high voter turnout.

In the future, offer support and suggestions to the volunteer election judges. I spoke the three handing out ballots after I saw confusion and they immediately began to work to resolve any issues and accommodate requests.
Jay Says:
November 4th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I “gave up my right to privacy” this morning as well, but it wasn’t as much to speed up the line as it was that I really don’t give a damn if someone wants to peek at who I am voting for. I joined the 10 or so other guys who were filling in their ballots against the back wall in plain view of whomever wanted to be nosey. Maybe its just because I’m a guy, but I think privacy is an overrated thing…..while voting or peeing.
Sommery Says:
November 4th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
The same thing happened to me with the ballot protection envelopes. The polling place at Christ The King in New Brighton had only a few booths with lunchroom tables set up. The lady handed me my ballot without a sleeve so I asked for one. She said that they were running out of them, so they weren’t handing them out. I told her I wanted one, especially as I’d be sitting at at table out in the open voting without the privacy of a booth. She then reluctantly gave me one.
Getwiththetimes Says:
November 4th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Here’s an idea. Make voting completely electronic. That way the election judges or volunteers can’t be accused of screwing everything up. Not to mention everything else is done online, even banking. If banking can be done online or electronically then voting can be too. It may be more expensive up front, but in the long run it will be a lot cheaper, not to mention better for the environment for all you hippies out there!
Wow Says:
November 4th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Getwiththetimes. You would rather put your trust in diebold?? After 2000 and 2004? Wow.
Dean Says:
November 4th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
No ballot protection envelopes in Cottage Grove. Once or twice may be a mistake, but it sounds like this is a reoccurring issue. Another example of our right to privacy slowly being taken away.
Jim Says:
November 4th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Yeah, electronic balloting has to be possible. Send every registered voter a unique password. Once it’s used (ballot is successfully submitted), at a designated polling place or a personal computer, it can’t be used again.
Barbara Says:
November 4th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I voted in Saint Paul this morning, and they were very strict about ballot privacy. The person handing out ballots ran out of protection envelopes, and he stopped handing them out until he received more. Some people also “gave up their right to privacy” by voting at a table, but every single one of them had a privacy cover for their ballot. I guess it all depends on the employees at the polling place…
Happy Voter Says:
November 4th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
I voted in South Saint Paul and I did get the ballot cover, however if I didn’t I would have still voted and not complained about it. Unless someone is hovering over your shoulder they will not be able to see who your voting for. If anything the lack of ballot covers is a good sign, it means we are having a record number of voters. And I agree with a previous poster, sign up to be an election judge next time if you want to help the issue.