• Judy Alter's DVD entitled "Parallel Elections: How to Do Them"; See www.studycaliforniaballots.org • Ellen Brodsky's, "First 'Grass Roots' Parallel Election Project," a paper written on the PE held in Coconut Grove, FL on March 8, 2005; and • Reports from Ohio's PE organizers Jo Anne Karasek and Marj Creech who were joined by others in holding Ohio's first Parallel Election on August 2, 2005.
OBTAIN ADVANCE VOTER INFO
For the November 7, 2006 Ohio election, we obtained the "Walking Lists" for Franklin County two months in advance of the election. This was prepared on August 16, 2006 by the Board of Elections and gives the Voter's name, address and political party. This information will be useful in auditing the official results and in following up with voters if a post-election canvass is indicated.
ITEMS NEEDED (from $75 to $200 cost per precinct):
1. Two or three shifts of 3-5 people at the polling site 2. Canopy or Tent (for inclement weather), umbrellas 3. Table & Chairs for PE workers 4. Food, water and beverages for the PE workers 5. Clipboards & pens (for voters to use when voting) 6. Clear (see-thru) box, slotted at the top, and able to be padlocked; two padlocks are better, with the keys given to two different persons, not in the same political party or household. 7. Use a chain tightly fitted (like a package string) around the box, or tape seal that will show if the seal has been broken. 8. Large Sign affixed to the table or side of tent: "Citizen-Run Parallel Election" 9. Roster Book: stitch-bound notebook with lined pages (see details below) 10. Notepad for voters to report election irregularities (see details below) 11. Cell phone for contact with region or state wide PE coordinator 12. Pre-printed ballots that look NOTHING like the official ballots but which contain the date, precinct, all the races, and the voter pledge 13. Voter Pledge displayed prominently (e.g., on an 8x10 standup frame, etc.) 14. Parallel Election information sheets, election-integrity flyers, etc. 15. Volunteer Sign-Up sheets for those citizens wishing to conduct a Parallel Election at some future time.
SET-UP at least 100 feet from the polling site. Introduce yourself to the precinct judge and explain what you're doing. (See Talking Points on pages 3 and 7.)
ROSTER BOOK (only use ONE side of each page)
1. Use a stitch-bound book, preferably with its pages pre-numbered so that it will be obvious if any pages have been removed. If not pre-numbered, go thru and number each sheet (one side only) in ink.
2. On the third sheet, which constitutes the beginning pages where voters sign, begin numbering the lines sequentially, to the last page of the book. (Do not start numbering at the top of each new sheet.)
3. Label the outside of the book with the county, state and date of election, and most importantly, precinct number and city. See example below:
Lucas County, Ohio Citizen-Run Parallel Election November 8, 2005 Precinct: Toledo 1E
4. On the first page, include an affirmation for PE workers to sign before a Notary Public. Below is suggested wording:
"The undersigned Parallel Election workers, who are Ohio citizens, do solemnly swear or affirm that they have impartially conducted a Parallel Election, instructing voters, who volunteered to participate, on the mechanics of voting in this system, without in any way trying to influence their vote, except to explain that the Parallel Election system asks voters to vote exactly in the manner they voted in the official election."
Allow lines for PE workers to print and sign their names. Follow this with a notarial paragraph:
SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED before me, a Notary Public in and for the State of Ohio, this ____ day of November, 2006.
In 2004, Rady Ananda began contributing to the Web, as part of the growing community of citizen journalists. Focusing mainly on elections, her blogs also address religious, gender, sexual and racial equality, as well as environmental issues; and are sprinkled with book and film reviews on various topics. She currently serves as a senior editor at OpEdNews.
All material offered here is the property of Rady Ananda, copyright 2006, 2007, 2008. Permission is granted to repost, with proper attribution including the original link.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. Tell the truth anyway. Sign this petition: http://www.electiondefensealliance.org/ny_levers_petition
Parallel elections do the job we've been paying elections officials to do, that they haven't been doing.
Like the old saying goes, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. This is a well-planned, tested, effective, and workable tool for implementing democracy in every precinct where people care.
Let's roll!
by
Mark E. Smith (21 articles, 28 quicklinks, 72 diaries, 897 comments)
on Friday, September 15, 2006 at 2:01:26 PM
