ELECTION 2006
NAACP Will Monitor Polls For Voting Irregularities
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Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Volunteers for the NAACP will fan out at select polling stations across Maryland on Election Day to monitor balloting for problems similar to those that plagued the September primary.
The group said that poll watchers will observe precincts in Prince George's and Montgomery counties and in Baltimore and that lawyers will be available to document complaints from voters and, if necessary, forward reports of irregularities to the U.S. Justice Department. Maryland is one of 10 states the civil rights organization plans to monitor that day.
During September's primary, some polls in Maryland opened late because election judges or technicians did not show up. Also, an electronic registration system regularly crashed, and many poll workers had trouble submitting results electronically at the end of the day.
The NAACP called on Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) to take all necessary steps to protect voters from technical glitches with machines and mistakes made by inexperienced or poorly trained poll workers.
"While the NAACP will take steps to counter obstacles to voter participation, we are encouraging our communities to cast their votes, even if it requires extra effort," said Bruce S. Gordon, NAACP president and chief executive.
In turn, Ehrlich called on the state's Board of Elections to make certain the group's concerns are addressed.
"To ensure that every Marylander has access to a fair and accurate election system, the state Board of Elections must act expeditiously to address my concerns and those of the NAACP," he said.
In Prince George's, where election officials are still looking for hundreds of new poll workers for the election, Interim Elections Administrator Robert J. Antonetti Sr. urged the NAACP to send volunteers for training.
"Everyone loves to come and observe," he said. "Let them participate."
John White, NAACP communications director, said the group is encouraging members to volunteer as judges even as it establishes its national monitoring program. Other states the group will monitor on Election Day are Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
