Voters experience problems at the polls

by Leanne Tokars (ltokars@wsbt.com)

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The polls in one precinct at Hums Elementary in Mishawaka did not open until 7 a.m. because an inspector failed to show up on time.

The polls in one precinct at Hums Elementary in Mishawaka did not open until 7 a.m. because an inspector failed to show up on time. (WSBT photo)

By Tiffany Griffin

Voting Tuesday morning didn't start off without a hitch. Some local voters say they experienced problems at the polls.

Early morning voters at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in South Bend were forced to wait.

“We didn't open till about 7 a.m.,” said poll inspector Derrick Faulkins. “I overslept this morning, so everyone was waiting when I came in."

The same happened at Hums Elementary in Mishawaka.

“Some people have been quite upset because there's no way they can get back because of their work schedules,” said Lester Frick who filled in for the inspector. “We feel very bad about that, but there's nothing we can do about it — our hands our tied."

It was a late start for some, but that's not what stopped Darren Turley from voting. He explained, “I've got to re-register, but I'm still going to vote."

He says voting is something he won’t miss come November.

“I think we need to go in a different direction because everything has been the same and I think we need to change it up for everybody, for every race,” said Turley of the race for president.

By the looks of it, at the Northeast Neighborhood Center, many agree.

“Even in a presidential election, it has never been like this,” commented poll inspector Jessie Broadnax.

Her poll’s one problem Tuesday was when their voting machine stopped working for a short while.

Voter Stephanie Heivilin says she was forced to leave her ballot on the top of a pile.

“To me, I was very alarmed to see that there was no box, no privacy,” said Heivilin. “How do I know she didn't look at my vote?"

John Borkowski with the Election Protection Project is monitoring voting problems in South Bend.

He pointed us to Saint Mary's College where some elderly nuns were turned away because they didn't have valid photo IDs.

“Everyone knows who they are — some are 90 years old,” exclaimed Borkowski. “They've been voting all their lives, and now that they're not allowed to vote this primary with so much at stake is a problem."

The same happened with some out-of-state college students.

The only thing Sister Julie McGuire can tell them now is to make sure they’re ready for November.

The St. Joseph County clerk says they did have some problems with getting the absentee ballots to the right polling sites.

They had 9,200 absentee ballots to deliver and some ended up at the wrong place. But the clerk says they did get everything fixed and taken care of quickly.

Stay with WSBT News and WSBT.com for election results throughout the night.

For more election headlines and voter resources, go to WSBT.com's Campaign ‘08 section.

Wednesday, May 7 at 9:47 PM Jaun Riccillo wrote ...

Hey Walkerton voter who had to show I.D twice: I had the same problem and it really messed me up because I gave the first one my drivers license and then another one asks me and I accidently gave her my OTHER driver license. It's getting harder and harder to be a good Amertican all the time.

Wednesday, May 7 at 9:49 AM MOM to Mitch wrote ...

Yeah but when 30 ask to use the bathroom when in the school what does that say to you??? And they were not watched by anyone when going as a MOM it tells me to look out. AND I can tell you this all of them that worked at the polls were very LOUD and Teacher couldn't even teach their classes.!! SO again things are taken from the kids.

Wednesday, May 7 at 8:30 AM Walkerton wrote ...

First the Walkerton poll workers should be trained on being polite. Second there should be consistancy. I had to show ID to 2 different tables, some voters had to show it once. Third they should know what table to send you to.Lastly they are not trained detectives, so don't act like it. I had a drivers lic. that was issued two months ago. The name matched the voter files and the picture me but she still questioned who I was until two other workers told her it was me. Quit the games.

Tuesday, May 6 at 5:52 PM Mitch wrote ...

There has not been a problem recorded in the schools with the kids being in the slightest amount of danger. A pedophile is not going to go lurking while there are so many people around looking at you. Get real. The schools are fine and have been for decades for voting. There is nothing wrong with the electronic voting machines in use now. There are far fewer problems then the old punch systems and people making mistakes and counting errors. I agree they need handicap parking at pole places.

Tuesday, May 6 at 5:52 PM Lisa wrote ...

To let Tim Know that most of the workers get paid,not much, but its not for free.

Tuesday, May 6 at 4:49 PM Chris wrote ...

This same thing happened at Hums last November--and our councilman lost by 4 votes. Lots of people left angry then, lots of people left angry this morning. Was it the same Democrat appointee who didn't show up?

Tuesday, May 6 at 4:03 PM tim wrote ...

If you have time to complain,maybe you have time to go back and vote or even work for free like the poll workers

Tuesday, May 6 at 3:45 PM Todd wrote ...

I would have to imagine it is not easy to find all of these polling places and keep every person happy. Schools are the most logical (government funded) place to have voting. Schools have off many other days during the year, why not close the schools on election day?

Tuesday, May 6 at 3:39 PM Anonymous wrote ...

No problems at my polling place.

Tuesday, May 6 at 3:17 PM Anonymous wrote ...

My polling place has no parking or handicap parking. It should be decertified for that reason alone.

Tuesday, May 6 at 3:04 PM At MOM wrote ...

I agree 200% with you on this, we need to keep these pedrofiels OUT of our kids, schools are a great place to vote, but its just not safe. Everyone goes to walmart, maybe we can vote thre, and their open 24/7 so no sleeping in there!

Tuesday, May 6 at 2:57 PM scott wrote ...

Electronic voting machines should be banned.

Tuesday, May 6 at 2:11 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I get up at 5am every work day and I manae to get 4 children ready for school every day M-F. I went to vote this morning at HUms and was one of the about 30 people who did not get to vote at that time. Fortunately or unfortunately I had a sick child and had to leave work early to pick him up, otherwise I would not have gotten to vote. This was very frustrating, I feel there should have been something done so that the people that were there could vote.

Tuesday, May 6 at 12:59 PM Brad wrote ...

I was in line to vote this morning and spent 20 minutes to find out I could not due to this person being late. My bigger concern is that an individual takes these books and keys home with them. How secure is that. Also that we do not have a system in place with a backup plan. Yes it may have been a little slower than plan "A" but we still would have been able to vote.

Tuesday, May 6 at 12:47 PM Todd wrote ...

I wouldn't exactly call this a job for what they are paid, it is more like community service with gas money and lunch given to you. They have a hard time finding people who will do this as it is..so they really cannot afford to fire them as you say.

Tuesday, May 6 at 12:31 PM MOM wrote ...

Come on why are we voting in the schools anyway?? they wouldn't let them go to Washington high cause it would be disruptive but come on this is all day and who knows what kind of Pedi files we have out voting (and yes before you say it I know they have the right to vote) BUT our kids have the right to be safe!!!!

Tuesday, May 6 at 12:17 PM ! wrote ...

Not surprised at people not turning up to do their job. Incompetence seemed to be normal when I went to vote. When I was eager to vote many years ago I was sent to SEVEN different locations to vote. Just few years ago I was sent a letter indicating I needed to register since my information was wrong. I went and voted anyway. No problem voting. I don’t think the area is very organized.

Tuesday, May 6 at 12:17 PM Ross wrote ...

Fire them all and start over.

Tuesday, May 6 at 12:05 PM shelley wrote ...

Couldn't they give them an absentee voter slip or something similiar? That is not the voters fault and they should not be pentalized. Those inspectors should be fired. How irresponsible.

Tuesday, May 6 at 11:54 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Who hires these people anyway? Maybe they had to walk because they couldn't afford gas for their car.

Tuesday, May 6 at 11:32 AM Ken wrote ...

Well thats not fair to the people that were on time to vote and couldn't. Every vote is important and each person should have a say so. Keep it open until 7:00 it is the right thing to do.

Tuesday, May 6 at 11:29 AM 1 day ?? wrote ...

Wow 1 important day of work and you can't get there ontime ?? Overslept ?? I hope if these are full time employees they are FIRED immediately!!

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