5. On the next page, print the VOTER PLEDGE, which the voter must read:
"I am voluntarily participating in this citizen-run Parallel Election.* I swear or affirm that I am casting the same ballot choices on the Parallel Election ballot as I cast in the (Regular or Special) election of ________ County, (State) on the official ballot on Tuesday, November 7, 2006.
*I am aware that this Parallel Election ballot is not an official ballot, but will be used to check the accuracy of the official results. The official ballots and vote tallies are recorded on __________________ (e.g. Diebold TSx DRE optical scanner voting machines) which are operated with trade-secret ("proprietary") software not disclosed to the public, not even to public elections officials."
The above Voter Pledge should also be posted in large type on the PE table, perhaps using a standup 8x10" frame.
6. Voters must FIRST sign the Roster Book, THEN vote. If the voter refuses to sign, but wants to vote, it is suggested that the PE worker notes in the book "refused to sign."
BALLOT DESIGN
Parallel election ballots MUST differ in appearance from official ballots, but they must contain all the same information such as the precinct info, date, and contests.
The largest expense of a PE project is the cost of printing the ballots. The July 2005 Parallel Election held in San Diego cost over $750 and covered 11 precincts (about $68 per precinct).
Maintain chain of custody with the parallel ballots - ballots must be under continual supervision for the sake of credibility. Use at least two people from more than one political party. INFORMATIONAL HAND-OUTS
Hand out informational material AFTER voters have finished voting. If you are collecting names of future volunteers, also do this after they have finished voting.
THE FIRST PARALLEL VOTER
Have the first parallel voter witness that the voting box is empty. Seal the box and let the voter drop his or her ballot into it. The voter can then sign a statement to this effect:
I, ________________, witnessed that the Parallel Election box was empty, then sealed, after which I dropped my vote into the box.
PARALLEL ELECTION WORKERS
PE Supervisor – assists with any unforeseen issues that may arise, and can assist with greeting and observing; keeps in contact with PE coordinator, media, police and/or precinct officials. Obtains copies of precinct reports (of who voted) posted at 11 am, 4 pm and also obtains the tallied result total posted at the close of polls. Requests absentee & provisional vote totals.
Greeters – catches the attention of voters leaving the polling place and invites them to vote in the citizen-run parallel election. This person should have talking points ready (we are double checking the results of the machines – don't use the word fraud; don't question the integrity of the poll workers or elections officials).
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, 29 quicklinks, 73 diaries, 947 comments)
on Friday, September 15, 2006 at 2:01:26 PM
