Birmingham, Alabama

Malfeasance by poll workers and voter suppression of minorities, broken machines, long lines, registration problems, provisional ballot problems

 

Long lines

035634

11/02/04, 9:19 AM PST

Long lines; Other polling place problem

Sun Valley Elementary, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

extrememly long lines at polls; only 2 poll workers; 1 hr wait; i entrance blocksed; too little parking; times badly marked; only 2 lines; only 1 voting booth with five places; 1 table with no privacy

035657

11/02/04, 9:22 AM PST

Machine problem

Homewood Recreation Center, 1602 Oxmoor Drive, Homewood Al., 35209, Homewood, Jefferson County, Alabama

Machine isn't being used because of "power outage" Ballots are being placed in an open box, (no slot)

036109

11/02/04, 9:35 AM PST

Machine problem

Legion Field Foot ball Stadium, Graymont Avenue, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Machine not working. Led to long lines

041266

11/02/04, 12:50 PM PST

Machine problem; Long lines

Jeffeson County Rehabilitation Center (Keytonia Nursing Home), Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Only one machine (caller said there are usually more) and it has broken down several times. Long lines - he fears votes will be miscounted.

041339

11/02/04, 12:54 PM PST

Machine problem; Long lines

Legion Field 400 Graymont Ave. Gate 7, Birmingham , Jefferson County County, Alabama

Many optical scan machines are down, only one or two are working. Voters have insufficient privacy and voting lines have backed up.

047906

11/02/04, 4:48 PM PST

Machine problem

Long lines

Harrison Park, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

People were waiting and machine was down. But she and husband did paper ballot. Machine was not working and they still had them enter. (she votes all the time and no click sound). Only had 2 machines and neither was working. (Another voter send come back later and some voters went later).

 

 

Malfeasance by poll workers and voter suppression of minorities

036347

11/02/04, 9:45 AM PST

Other polling place problem

Daniel Payne College, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Voters (incl. students and elderly) being turned away from polls and directed to different locations even though they are long time voters in the district. At least one person who was turned away and went to new location was told to go back to Daniel Payne college to vote.

 

030906

11/02/04, 6:12 AM PST

Other

Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

People went where always vote, told wrong place, go to Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, not open, many people waiting. [this is correct for her on my polling place.org].

 

021796

11/01/04, 10:30 AM PST

Registration-related problem

Hoover, Jefferson County, Alabama

Caller's husband registered to vote in Jefferson county AL, but did not receive his voter registration card. The caller registered at the same time and did receive her card.

 

022878

11/01/04, 11:58 AM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem

Jefferson County, Alabama

Caller is registered to vote in AL. Applied for a absentee ballot (she is in MD). Her application was rejected because "her name was not on the list" (meaning she was not registered to vote). She called (I assume the Board of Elections) and spoke to a person named Linda Smith. Ms. Smith told her that she was registered to vote. However, caller never received an absentee ballot

 

037227

11/02/04, 10:16 AM PST

Polling place inquiry

Ensley Park Recreation Center, Jefferson County County, Alabama

He was turned away at the polls, he has always voted at Ensley Park Rec Center and they told him he couldn't vote there. He is registered to vote. He said they are turning away people at the polls. They filled out a provisional ballot but specifically wanted this flagged and checked.

 

038158

11/02/04, 10:50 AM PST

Registration-related problem; Provisional ballot problem

Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Caller wanted to vote in the morning, but election officials told her she was in the wrong place. They referred her to another place. When she arrived, again they told her she was not on the list and could not vote. No one informed her of a provisional ballot.

 

040683

11/02/04, 12:23 PM PST

Other polling place problem

Howze Sanford Community Center Fire Station, Bethel Baptist Church, South Hampton, Jefferson County County, Alabama

voters at polling place directed to three differemnt locations

 

041455

11/02/04, 12:59 PM PST

Registration-related problem; Other ballot-related problem

Vestavia Civic Center 1973 Merryvale Road, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Caller has lived in AL for 5 years. He registered to vote this year and received a voter card. when he got to the polls he was told he needed to fill out a "special ballot." The reason given was that he he had not resided in AL long enough. Don't know if this is same as provisional.

 

042934

11/02/04, 1:47 PM PST

Other polling place problem

Jefferson County County, Alabama

Person went to old polling place; sheriff told him to go somewhere else; he was then sent away at second location as well. Person went on their way to the third polling location.

 

043960

11/02/04, 2:28 PM PST

Voter Intimidation

Inglenook Elementary, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Poll workers were putting voters into 2 different lines. One for inactive voters and telling them their vote was not going to count. They did give these people ballots, and the caller said the ballots looked different from hers. She said this was discouraging voters from staying in line b/c were being told their vote wouldn't count.

 

044173

11/02/04, 2:34 PM PST

Voter Intimidation

Inglenook Elementary, 5909 Inglenook, Birmingham, AL, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Officials refuing to allow voters with proper ID and registration cards. Caller has reported 3 separate incidents. Provisional officer told voter her vote, a provisional ballots, would not count.

 

044334

11/02/04, 2:40 PM PST

Provisional ballot problem

Inglenook Elementary School/ Birmingham, AL 41201 Inglehook street, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Caller observed a situation where a voter was told by an election officials that provisional ballot would not count. When the caller informed the voter that her vote would count if verified, the voter went back inside the poll to vote.

 

044347

11/02/04, 2:46 PM PST

Registration-related problem; Other ballot-related problem

Crestwood Community Educational Center; 1220 50th St. South, Birminham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Registered to vote by mail early September 2004. Received voter registration cord. Went to polls this morning told she was not on the rolls-- checked both last names and first names. Husband registered with her and has same last name and he was on the rolls. Said she could only do provisional ballot; tried to call our line was busy. Over 5 African American women have had the same problem. Everyone had a voter registration card. Had pencils out on tables; out since they locked the doors. Provisional officer gave her pencil to fill out ballot. Poll worker says pencils don't count. Many other people had already voted. She had to mark over pencil with pen.

 

044638

11/02/04, 2:50 PM PST

Polling place inquiry

Jefferson County County, Alabama

Supposed to vote at Ensley Park Recreation Center; caller said that they have voted there for years and the polling place is turning people away. Very concerned about this.

 

 

045318

11/02/04, 3:16 PM PST

Provisional ballot problem

Woodrow Wilson Elementary, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Voter was not listed on the voter rolls even though she had not moved and had voted in every election. Three others at the polling place had the same experience.

 

 

045425

11/02/04, 3:18 PM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem; Registration-related problem

Jefferson/Madison County, Alabama

Voter is registered in Jefferson County but in college in Montgomery County. She applied for an absentee ballot for Jefferson County before the deadline, but never received the ballot. She called the Board of Elections, who told her she could vote by provisional ballot at whatever poll is closest to her. When she went to the poll in Montgomery County, she was not allowed to vote.

 

 

045870

11/02/04, 3:35 PM PST

Voter Intimidation; Criminal status-related problem

Jefferson County, Alabama

Has not tried to vote yet but was told by friends who returned from polls that can't vote if you have parking tickets.

 

046140

11/02/04, 3:56 PM PST

Voter Intimidation

Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Police set up a road block on the way to the polling place. they were checking driver's licenses and car registrations. They were giving tickets and taking some people to jail. When the caller asked why they were doing this today, the officers said they were just trying to do their job. Caller did not have the address or name of the polling place, she was just giving someone a ride.

 

046478

11/02/04, 4:01 PM PST

Registration-related problem

Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Registered online. Called the local election official and they said that the registration requires her to vote in Montgomery, AL, which doesn't make sense since she is not in that city.

 

046620

11/02/04, 4:04 PM PST

Registration-related problem; Provisional ballot problem

Harrison Park, Jefferson County, Alabama

Knows she is registered at polling place -- wasn't on roster - was told no one will be given a provisional ballot until they call (325-5550) and talk to people at Jefferson Board of Registrars

 

046787

11/02/04, 4:07 PM PST

Registration-related problem

Charles Brown Elementary, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Went to polling place. Name was blacked out. But could not find signature and claiming she already cast provisional ballot instead.

 

047926

11/02/04, 4:52 PM PST

Registration-related problem

Oakton Road, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Caller told couldn't vote because name is not on register; poll workers called in downtown; said he was not registered; but he registered in a voter registration drive on October 22nd; he was not offered a provisional ballot.

 

048979

11/02/04, 5:28 PM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem

Jefferson, AL; Madison, KY County, Alabama

Caller registered for absentee ballot in AL which never came (filled out application before Oct. 16); went to polling place in KY. Send to 2nd one which was supposed to help with college students. Said he's not registered. Poll worker said must register 30 days before election

 

049903

11/02/04, 6:16 PM PST

Registration-related problem; Other polling place problem

Central Park Rec. Center on Terrace Q, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Voter went to her usual polling place and was told to go somewhere else to vote. She had not moved. She asked about provisional ballots and was told that they were for people in the military. She went to the polling place to which she was referred and was not let in because the polls had closed.

 

021713

11/01/04, 10:20 AM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem

Jefferson County, Alabama

Caller's son is in college at University of Arkansas. He filled out an [application for a?] absentee ballot and provided a utility bill and a copy of his driver's license with his application. In a 10/29/04 letter from Ann Marie Adams of the Jefferson County circuit court, rm 400, they were notified that although his application had been received, the proper identification was not.

 

048865

11/02/04, 5:22 PM PST

Other polling place problem

?, Jefferson County, Alabama

Caller told to go to wrong voting place, accross town from old voting place for no reason.