Influx of Voters Expected to Test New Technology

by Eric Marshall

Ian Urbina of The New York Times wrote an excellent column (with contributions from our very own Jonah Goldman) this week, "Influx of Voters Expected to test New Technology," highlighting many of the issues we’re working on in preparation for November’s elections. 

A myriad of problems: new voting equipment, under resourced election systems, lack of properly trained poll workers, confusing ballot designs, ballot shortages, unnecessary purges, and many other issues could very well lead to long lines, confusion and chaos that will disenfranchise an untold number of voters.

Urbina begins the column by noting that, "with millions of new voters heading to the polls this November and many states introducing new voting technologies, election officials and voting monitors say they fear the combination is likely to create long lines, stressed-out poll workers and late tallies on Election Day." 

The column quotes a number of experts who express their concern, including Election Assistance Commission chairwoman, Rosemary Rodriguez:

I’m concerned about the weak spots… So much depends on whether there will be enough poll workers, whether they are trained enough and whether their state and county election directors give them contingency plans and resources to handle the unexpected.

We have already seen many of these issues rear their ugly head during the 2008 primary season.  Election Protection was there to provide comprehensive support and helped fix many of these problems before they became larger issues.  In the months ahead, our leaders and coalition partners on the ground will be working with election officials to solve many of these problems before voters head to the polls in November.  Unfortunately, not every problem will be fixed before Election Day.  That is why we will be coordinating our largest Election Protection program to date through the 1-866-OUR-VOTE hotline and a comprehensive mobile legal deployment on the ground to ensure all eligible voters are able to cast a meaningful ballot. 

Click here to read Urbina’s column.