Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
There are an estimated 400,000 provisional ballots to be counted. In the most under-reported story of the night in Arizona, there were massive poll register errors in Maricopa and Pima Counties that we know of that resulted in this large number of provisional ballots being cast. I do not know what occured in other counties.
All day long voters were showing up to vote and being told that they were not on the poll register. Many were told they were at the wrong voting location (in Pima County, at least, due to consolidation of precincts into voting areas). Attempts to send voters to the right voting location often resulted in voters being told again that they were not on the poll register. Many cast a provisional ballot as a result.
But how many voters became discouraged or angry and just walked away without casting a ballot due to this incompetence?
This is a massive man-made problem that will determine the outcome of several races in Arizona, including Congressional District 2 (Tucson) and Congressional District 9 (Phoenix Metro), and possibly Congressional District 1 (Eastern Arizona).
I have heard that the Republicans will be going to court as early as today. Close races are likely to be decided by the how the court deals with these provisional ballots.
If you worked as a poll worker on election day, please post your experience in the comments.
And let's begin the discussion how to fix this problem. I suggest that Arizona consider adopting the state of Oregon's all-mail balloting system. Every registered voter gets a ballot, and the single greatest weakness in our election system -- changing poll locations and poorly trained poll workers -- is eliminated. There should be no provisional ballots under an all-mail balloting system. Discuss.
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