Hillsboro County Election Problems

Hillsboro County Election Problems reported by voters

Voter suppression: (Touch screen delayed switching from Democrats(Kerry,Castor) to Republicans (Bush,Martinez) on review screen,

touch screen vote for Democrat disappeared on review screen(default to blank), some voters had to punch their choice several times before

the machine would accept their choice, Polling place problems, broken machines, too few machines in minority and other precincts

(big reduction compared to primary election reported for some precincts), long lines with wait of over 1 hour reported in over 40 precincts,

multiple voters in 5 precincts reported wait of over 2 hours, many voters reported inadequate or dangerous parking situations,

voters reported confusion and disorganization in multiple precinct polling sites, some voters reported that some polling places had

inadequate signs or lighting, systematic dirty tricks to confuse minority voters and cause them to vote provisionally in wrong precinct,

malfeasance or misfeasance by poll workers regarding helping voters with correct precincts and voters rights, several voters who had

requested absentee ballots but did not receive them reported that they were not allowed to vote and were denied right to sign an

affidavit and vote provisionally, several voters who did not have picture ID reported that they were not allowed to sign affidavit

and vote provisionally, several voters were told by poll workers that they were not on the roll and were not either told their

correct poll or allowed to vote provisionally- but some later confirmed they were on the county roll of registered voters, some voters

who registered to vote at the DMV were not on the voter rolls, many voters who requested absentee ballots reported they never

received them, many complaints regarding provisionals. Large numbers of votes of eligible voters prevented from voting and

some misvotes and undervotes due to machine problems or lack of understanding machine use.

See EIRS cases from www.voteprotect.org below and other documentation at end.

Long lines reported by voters in at least40 precincts including [11,151,227,239,240,327,341,353,405,422, 433,509,521,524,526,527,551,555,579,629,652,703,755,810,818,871,927,941,942,929]

Multiple voters reported waits of over 2 hours in 6 precincts[151,341,353,405,433,927]

020384 11/01/04, 8:05 AM PST Long lines Tampa, Hillsboro County, Florida Went to 3 early voting locations in Tampa have long lines around the block. Is very angry and wants the lines to be shorter, because voters will be discouraged.

024038 11/01/04, 1:24 PM PST Long lines Hillsborough County Library , Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida There was a 2.5 hour wait to vote "early"

024109 11/01/04, 1:35 PM PST Registration-related problem Jimmy B. Keel Public Library (early voting), Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Caller states that it was craziness at the Keel library. No place to park. No one directing traffic. Traffic jams on the avenue in front of the library. "Nightmare..."

029839 11/02/04, 5:22 AM PST Voter Intimidation; Identification-related problem; Long lines Precinct 203, 1510 N. Manhatten Ave., roland Park School of Choice, Hillsborough County, Florida EP volunteer Scott Bassett reports that a GOP poll monitor was insisting that voters need to show photo ID in order to vote. The GOP worker has already been confronted by poll monitors from the Kerry campaign, and the situation seems to have calmed down. The GOP poll monitor was reportedly being very aggressive. Additionally, the lines are already long, and some voters are leaving.

030014 11/02/04, 5:33 AM PST Identification-related problem 2202 E. Busch Blvd., Hillsborough County, Florida poll workers are requiring 2 forms of ID - registration card being required

030044 11/02/04, 5:32 AM PST Long lines Off of Shipps Rd, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida People in line for 45 minutes, calling people by alphabetical order, not using line. 7:15 arrived still has not voted. Lots of people leaving

030146 11/02/04, 5:35 AM PST Long lines Hillsborough County, Florida Mike Deluca reports extremely long lines at precinct 501.

036766 11/02/04, 10:00 AM PST Machine problem Jackson Heights NFL Youth Education Town Center - 3310 East Lake Avenue, Hillsborough County, Florida Only 1 of 2 voting card machines working - 465 people have voted out of 3000

040161 11/02/04, 12:07 PM PST Machine problem Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Black precinct--only 6 machines and 1 1/2 hour wait (at 2:45pm). Voters angry, signing petitions. Assert that white precincts with fewer registered voters have more machines.

041370 11/02/04, 12:52 PM PST Long lines; Other Hillsboro County, Florida Needed to knowhow long can you get off work in Fl.

044991 11/02/04, 3:10 PM PST Voter Intimidation St Francis Episcopal Church - 6111 North Central Ave, Hillsborough County, Florida Voter reported that poll workers were rude to African American students. Also, complaints of too few machines and poll workers

046217 11/02/04, 3:50 PM PST Early closing Tampa Cruise-A-Cade - 2001 North Boulevard / Hillsborough Consortium for Technology and Education - 2110 North Boulevard, Hillsborough County, Florida Signs at polling place taken down prematurely

046728 11/02/04, 4:09 PM PST Long lines Hillsborough County, Florida 138 people in line at time of close

046939 11/02/04, 4:20 PM PST Early closing Hillsborough County, Florida Polls closed 5 minutes early; people in line

047451 11/02/04, 4:33 PM PST Insufficient number of ballots; Other ballot-related problem Tampa, Hillsborogh County, Florida Poll place was out of ballots/voter cards.

049454 11/02/04, 5:50 PM PST Machine problem; Other polling place problem 7217 Kingsbury Circle, Eastlake Park, Tampa, Hillsboro County, Florida Very large precinct, only 3 voting machines, and 2 of those work consistantly. Very long lines.

051677 11/03/04, 1:05 PM PST Other Library on MLK Blvd, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Waited for 4 hours...left work early to vote, had to leave

053173 11/05/04, 7:21 AM PST Machine problem Riverview Chamber of Commerce, Brandon, Brandon County, Florida Only seven voting machines, election officials admits they need at least 12. No waiting area for people, parking lot not paved and people are standing in a cow pasture getting their shoes dirty.

053199 11/05/04, 7:55 AM PST Provisional ballot problem Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida No provisional ballots available at this location.

053257 11/05/04, 8:53 AM PST Other next to Jefferson Blvd in downtown Tampa, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Provisional ballots not available since 2:30 pm, several attempts to get provisional ballots; by the time received the provisional ballot, the poll was closed.

055945 11/12/04, 8:31 AM PST Identification-related problem Oak Grove Church, Habana & Waters, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Voters are being told they must have their voter ID card or they cannot vote. Caller is going to stay and observe for a while.

475 11/13/04, 8:43 AM PST Other polling place problem Copeland, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida General Problem: Insufficient personnel [and] machines. Affirmations: - One Person (no name) upset - 25 minute delay. - Had to vote somewhere else - Being sent to wrong lines - Logistics - Only one person handling

057077 11/13/04, 11:37 AM PST Early closing; Long lines Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida They cut off before 7 pm Florida time. [Voter] turned away at 6:59 pm

060761 01/06/05, 12:43 PM PST Early closing Tampa, Hillsboro County, Florida Went to early vote. Got there at 6:35 pm exactly. Literature left on doorstepsaid she could vote on Monday until 7:00pm, but she was turned away. Is furious because she feels they are trying to keep her and other people of color from casting votes.

029683 11/02/04, 5:18 AM PST Machine problem; Long lines USF Marshall Center - 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Hillsborough County, Florida Only 3 machines working, long lines, voters leaving - only 28 votes cast in the first hour - Updated (12:30) still only 3 machines working - Updated (3:49) 4th machine arrived and is being set-up

055958 11/12/04, 8:58 AM PST Other polling place problem Univ of S Florida, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Observer from moveon.org calling to report that only 3 machines and two people are working at polling place. Poll worker refusing to give info -- giving students a hard time if they don't have a voter registration card. Hassling African American students. Waiting time is about 3 hours here.

056910 11/13/04, 10:53 AM PST Other polling place problem Lutz, Hillsborough County, Florida Polloing location different from that on voter registration card. No indication at old polling place of new polling place.

057114 11/13/04, 11:50 AM PST Long lines; Other polling place problem Plant City , Hillsborough County, Florida Insufficient number of machines. This precinct had only 5 machines. This caused long lines in the moring and late afternoon.

HBSOE, voter in precinct 657 reported that the polling place had inadequate outside lighting.

HBSOE, Precincts 804/809, confused signage and line problems.

HBSOE, Margaret Scott, Precinct 629, Long lines, last year 10 machines, this year 3, very bad.

Possible malfeasance or misfeasance

013973 10/22/04, 9:34 AM PST Other ballot-related problem Supervisors of Elections Office, Tamp, Hillsborough County, Florida Voter reported that Hillsborough Co has lost many early voter ballots. It's been reported on the news in Tampa. She cannot get through to the Supervisor's office.

014753 10/25/04, 11:31 AM PST Absentee-ballot related problem New Tampa Public Library, Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Voter brought absentee ballot to be canceled at early voting, but only allowed to cast regular ballot after completing a request for a new absentee ballot (Duplicate in Office Voter Certificate, section 101.657fs). Not permitted to add statement that they were voting in person. After extended discussion with supervisor agreed to submit form. Voter concerned that regular ballot cast may be invalidated because of subsequent request for absentee ballot.

016994 10/28/04, 5:20 PM PST Absentee-ballot related problem Hillsborough Co. (Tampa), Hillsborough County, Florida County, Florida Her son requested an absentee ballot. Didn't receive it. Requested a second and got it, though will have to do an overnight shipment to get it in on time. She says that she's a Democrat, and Republicans she know got their absentee ballot on time. She's concerned about possible discrimination in the sending of absentee ballots

018809 10/31/04, 1:54 PM PST Absentee-ballot related problem Lutz , Hillsborough County, Florida Caller previously reported a problem. initially son did not get absentee ballot. Son finally received one after mother made a second request, but ballot came without a return envelope and came late. Mother is concerned that barriers are being placed in the way of absentee voters, particularly students. [P]

019720 11/01/04, 6:14 AM PST Absentee-ballot related problem Hillsborough County, Florida Requested absentee ballot before the deadline; did not receive it

022724 11/01/04, 11:35 AM PST Absentee-ballot related problem TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH County, Florida ELDERLY PERSON NEEDS TRANSPORT TO POLLS BECAUSE DID NOT RECEIVE ABSENTEE BALLOTT REQUESTED

025158 11/01/04, 3:05 PM PST Registration-related problem Tampa, Hillsboro County, Florida Caller registered in Hillsboro County in September-early October but never heard back from CBE. Is she registered to vote?

026986 11/01/04, 5:43 PM PST Absentee-ballot related problem Hillsborough County, Florida Caller states that patients at Excel Rehabilitation home requested absentee ballots and did not receive them. Most are disabled/elderly and cannot get to the polls

027467 11/01/04, 6:38 PM PST Registration-related problem Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida She sent the registration form to the DMV last May and they have no record of her.

030179 11/02/04, 5:38 AM PST Voter Intimidation; Identification-related problem Central Avenue, Hillsborough County, Florida Both a photo ID and a registration card are being required.

030967 11/02/04, 6:13 AM PST Identification-related problem Hillsborough County, Florida Poll workers requiring voter registraion cards

031034 11/02/04, 6:55 AM PST Voter Intimidation; Identification-related problem Central Avenue, Hillsborough County, Florida Both a photo ID and a registration card are being required.031049 11/02/04, 6:17 AM PST Other 1st Church of God, 2202 East Busch Blvd, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Voted this morning. Turning people away from voting where they did not have ID, even if they were not lst time voters, even with voter reg. cd.

032152 11/02/04, 7:08 AM PST Criminal status-related problem St. James House of Prayer, 2708 N. Central , Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Voter related to poll monitors that he was denied a ballot because he was challenged on the basis of being a convicted felon. I spoke with the voter and he said: 1. He has been charged but not convicted of a felony. He was in jail for 3 months and released on October 18th. 2. He was not offered a provisional ballot. 3. He did not have his voter registration card but had voted at this site before.

035051 11/02/04, 9:00 AM PST Absentee-ballot related problem Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Requested absentee ballot to be sent to TN. Never received. Called office & they said it was sent 10/11/04. She can't return to FL to vote.

038089 11/02/04, 11:02 AM PST Registration-related problem; Provisional ballot problem Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida The voter went to the polling place to vote, but was told that she was not on the registered voter list. We do not have details as to why the individual was not on the voter list. She requested and was given a provisional ballot. She filled out the provisional ballot, and when she went to turn it in, she was told by a poll worker that she was "wasting her time" and that "her vote wouldn't be counted." The voter became very upset at this point. The poll worker did allow her to turn in the provisional ballot.

038326 11/02/04, 10:58 AM PST Identification-related problem Hillsborough County, Florida Poll worker is going down the line informing voters that they all need ID to vote

038968 11/02/04, 11:53 AM PST Provisional ballot problem 10905 Memorial Hwy, Hillsborough County, Florida No provisional ballots available

040661 11/02/04, 12:31 PM PST Early closing; Other polling place problem Hillsborough County, Florida Workers at polling place are telling voters that they have to be in line AND inside the building by 7 p.m. in order to vote. Even if they are in line by 7 p.m., if they are still outside the building, they will not be able to vote.

041012 11/02/04, 12:46 PM PST Voter Intimidation Kimball Church??, Hillsborough County, Florida;

poll workers requiring more information from Black Voters.

042174 11/02/04, 1:20 PM PST Identification-related problem Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Received a call from a field mobile monitor in precinct 207. Individuals at precinct 207 are reporting that precinct 318 poll workers are requiring voters to show a photo ID. If they do not show a photo ID, they are turned away.

056933 11/13/04, 11:06 AM PST Other polling place problem University Community Park, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Voter got to polling place and showed bald man directing voters his registration card. Voter was told that he was at the wrong polling place and had to go to [precinct] 563. He arrived at 563 too late to vote. His card clearly said he shold vote at 566. // Voters words from Affadavit: "I showed my registration card to a representative at Precinct 566 and was advised to go to another [precinct] 563 - the gentleman was black, bald, approximately 50 to 60 years old. I was at the right place before 7 pm and [he] caused me to loose my voiting rights -- By the time i was directed to 563 it was after 7 pm."

042240 11/02/04, 1:25 PM PST Absentee-ballot related problem; Registration-related problem Eastside Cumberland Presbyterian Church - 5001 East Cumberland Drive , Tampa , Hillsborough County, Florida Did not receive absentee ballot

042547 11/02/04, 1:38 PM PST Voter Intimidation; Identification-related problem; Long lines Mont Park 1815 East 148 Avenue, Lutz, Hillsborough County, Florida Minoritiess are being challenged with address not matching ID & Voter registration. They are separated into different lines to verify registry. Young man turned away b/c polling volunteer said he already voted thru absentee ballot, but he never requested an absentee ballot.

043797 11/02/04, 2:24 PM PST Voter Intimidation; Identification-related problem; Problem based on student status University of South Florida, Hillsborough Campus, Hillsborough County, Florida Caller reports that an elections official at this precinct is hassling students about their ID, and refusing to answer students' questions about voting. She is allegedly hassling African-American students in particular about the ID they need to vote.

044091 11/02/04, 2:41 PM PST Identification-related problem Habana & Waters, Hillsborough County, Florida Voters being told they needed Voter Registration cards to vote.

051206 11/03/04, 10:23 AM PST Absentee-ballot related problem Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Goes to Univ of Florida in Gainsville, but registered at home and requested absentee ballot three times, as early as this summer. Never received ballot, despite repeated calls and requests.

055529 11/11/04, 9:55 AM PST Registration-related problem Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Caller states he moved to FL in July 2004 and registered to vote in September. States he never received registration card.

055834 11/12/04, 5:47 AM PST Voter Intimidation; Problem based on student status; Provisional ballot problem Hillsborough County, Florida Reported via e-mail: My daughter phoned me. Downtown Tampa Precinct one volunteer refusing students from University of Tampa the right to vote and then not offering provisional ballots until students had an onsite professor call a lawyer. One woman was obstinate and rude to students. She was able to vote thanks to her professor, but if he were not there, many would not have been able to, some left without voting

060770 01/07/05, 11:19 AM PST Registration-related problem Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Voter filled out change of address form 2 ys. ago and mailed to Board of Elections. Received new card with previous address. Voter repeated process twice more (4 months ago, 3 months ago) with same result.

060771 01/07/05, 11:25 AM PST Registration-related problem River View, Hillsborough County County, Florida Caller registered a few months ago, but has not received card 060787 01/07/05, 12:24 PM PST Other 2014 Providence Rd; 1317 Providence Rd, Brandon, Hillsborough County, Florida No signs indicating where voting place is, or polling hours. Also, no lights marking polling place.

HBSOE report, 2 voters reported that the poll workers(Josephine Barton & Evelyn Outley) in Precint 165 were rude, not following proper voting protocols, and trying to keep people from voting in the precinct.

HBSOE, Voter in precinct 933 reports that poll workers not following correct proceedures on provisional ballots.

HBSOE Voter reports that they did not receive absentee ballot but were denied right to vote and not allowed to sign affidavit and vote provisionally(precinct 165).

HBSOE, Poll worker in precinct 818 would not allow voters without ID to sign affidavit and vote provisionally.

HBSOE, Registered voter was denied vote by poll worker in precinct 767, who said he wasn’t on roll. After much effort and time voter was found on roll and allowed to vote. Poll worker claimed they didn’t have computer access to the county list.

HBSOE, Voter denied right to vote in precinct 413 due to claim that voter voted by absentee ballot returned on 10/27. Voter denies having received or voted by absentee.

HBSOE, Precinct 595, Not allowed to vote, poll worker claims absentee sent on 10/25. Voter says he did not receive absentee ballot.

HBSOE, Precinct 563, Voter not allowed to vote although registered, not on poll list but later found to be on county list.

HBSOE, Precinct 933, Voter moved from one precinct to another in the last month; not allowed to sign affidavit and vote.

HBSOE, Precint 832, voter registered at DMV within proper tie. Not allowed to vote dut ot processed by SOE after 10/4/04.

HBSOE, Precinct 654, At previous election wife reported husband’s death but sees that he’s still on the roll.

Machine Problems

018900 10/31/04, 2:29 PM PST Machine problem; Other Tampa, Hillsboro County, Florida At one of the precincts on Martin Luther Blvd, College Hill Library, Tampa Fl, before you finished voting electronically, the electronic voting card would pop out, barring you from finishing voting. This is in a predominatly Black area. Polling people told them not to worry about it; said it had been happening all day.

HGSOE report, Voter at Platt Library reports that it was hard to get the screen to take the correct vote.

Dirty Tricks

015195 10/26/04, 8:20 AM PST Registration-related problem Hillsborough County County, Florida Registered to vote through campus group. Told them she wanted to be Independent but they registered her as a Republican. She just recived her card. Happened to a lot of people on her campus at Univ of South Florida. There was article in the school paper to that effect

015309 10/26/04, 11:24 AM PST Other Tampa , Hillsborough County, Florida A University of South Florida student reports that about 5 or 6 weeks ago, she signed a petition circulating on-campus that sought support from all those who support tougher laws for child molesters. The Caller, a registered Democrat, was aware that the individual approaching her was a Republican. However, that fact, in her opinion, was irrelevant since she was being asked to support a non-partisan effort to secure the safety of all children. Therefore, along with many other USF students, she signed the petition. However, unbeknownst to the Caller and clearly without her intent or permission, the petition was used to re-register her as a Republican

015352 10/26/04, 11:39 AM PST Other polling place problem Hillsborough County, Florida A woman who was canvassing for Move On pac came across a woman who told her she voted early at a polling place that in fact has no early voting.

015397 10/26/04, 12:08 PM PST Registration-related problem Lutz, Hillsborough County, Florida Caller is college student at University of South Florida, Tampa campus. Caller reported scam whereby college age person got her to fill out change of voter registration form, under pretext that it was in support of an effort to strenghten child molestation offender registration laws. Caller found out today (via letter in school paper) that this was a scam, which also happened on other college campuses, including Central Florida University, whereby people's party affiliation was changed to Republican against their wishes or without their consent

015460 10/26/04, 12:54 PM PST Registration-related problem Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Registered petition against child molestation. This petition was used to change her voter registration and party affiliation.

015678 10/26/04, 5:13 PM PST Other Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida Received his new voter registration card and it changed him from green party to republican party

015757 10/26/04, 8:38 PM PST Registration-related problem Hillsboro County, Florida Became a citizen, filled out registration at the ceremony, registered as a Democrat. Received a card with that information. Recently received a new card saying he was a registered Republican.

(Many more of these)

017742 10/30/04, 7:43 AM PST Registration-related problem; Other Hillsborough County, Florida She worked for Kelly Services, who contracted with Sproul & Associats to register new voters. She was specifically told to register only Republicans. When she asked, what about all the other voters, she was told, oh, ok, them too. Then she later learned that all people who registered (or changed address or party) as Democrats never received voter registration cards. They are asking her why that is and she suspects fraud. She herself changed her address on her voter registration as part of this and never received a card.

018475 10/31/04, 10:06 AM PST Absentee-ballot related problem Hillsborough County, Florida Caller is concerned that persons are going door-to-door collecting absentee ballots and saying they will deliver them.

018628 10/31/04, 12:32 PM PST Voter Intimidation Hillsboro County, Florida Person is part of a get out the vote campaign. Two voters who were contacted reported telephone calls, which stated that they should only put one stamp on absentee ballots.

040942 11/02/04, 12:40 PM PST Absentee-ballot related problem; Other Tampa Cruise-A-Cade - 2001 North Boulevard, Hillsborough County, Florida African American voters being called at home and told they did not have to come to the polls - their vote could be taken over the phone

055861 11/12/04, 6:57 AM PST Other polling place problem 2820 Gallagher Road, Plant City, Hillsborough County, Florida Voter called county (Hillsborough) information line advertised on television, for time of poll closing. A person told them they closed at 7:30, but at 7:03, they arrived at poll only to have the door shut in their face. They were told they could not vote.