Pinellas County Election Problems

(Touch Screen Switching from Kerry to Bush; Systematic dirty tricks affecting students and minorities,  Polling place problems, too few machines in

some precincts, broken machines, Long lines, registration problems, absentee ballot problems, registered at DMV but not on rolls,

 not allowed to vote because requested absentee but never received, uncounted votes, glitches causing counting errors, suggestions

of voter suppression, misfeasance or malfeasance

 

 

Touch Screen Machine Switching Vote from Dem to Repub

033258

11/02/04, 7:41 AM PST

Machine problem

Countryside Rec Center, Sable Springs Circle, Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida

Move-on Volunteer, touch screen voting machines are defaulting to Bush/Cheney, 3 voters have said tried to change to Kerry, kept going back to Bush. Finally succeeded, but don't feel confident.

039531

11/02/04, 11:37 AM PST

Machine problem

Pinellas County, Florida

Voter selected Kerry and the voting machine showed that they had selected Bush - it took her many tried to correct.

041196

11/02/04, 12:44 PM PST

Machine problem; Long lines

asian family and community empowerment center, St Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

- voter reported that she voted for particular candidate and when she reviewed her ballot the wrong candidate was displayed. Fortunately she was able to change it so it was accurate when she submitted. -were supposed to have 10, actually have 5, 1 broke, so there are only 4. 2.5 hour wait to vote - people are leaving.

 

Long lines/ too few machines/machine problems

040159

11/02/04, 12:09 PM PST

Long lines

1400 4th St. South, St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

Long lines, only 7 machines for two precincts (119 & 134), where there used to be 8 - 12 machines there in the past. Additionally, the poll workers are not separating the voters by precinct.

041167

11/02/04, 12:44 PM PST

Other ballot-related problem

County Court, Largo, Pinellas County, Florida

Caller went to Pinellas County Courthouse to vote and all voters were being given absentee ballots. There were no electronic voter machines at the polling site and voters were given ballots marked "absentee", told to complete them and place absentee ballot in two sealed envelopes (which they were required to sign and date).

041196

11/02/04, 12:44 PM PST

Machine problem; Long lines

Asian family and community empowerment center, St Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

- voter reported that she voted for particular candidate and when she reviewed her ballot the wrong candidate was displayed. Fortunately she was able to change it so it was accurate when she submitted. -were supposed to have 10, actually have 5, 1 broke, so there are only 4. 2.5 hour wait to vote - people are leaving.

051238

11/03/04, 10:26 AM PST

Machine problem; Long lines

Pinellas County, Florida

Lots of people trying to vote and only 5 machines and 1 is broken. They are supposed to have 10.

051330

11/03/04, 11:41 AM PST

Long lines; Other polling place problem

Salvation Army 1400 4th Street South, St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

2 precincts in one place, #119 and #134. They are not separating voters by precinct. Also, lines are very long.

051440

11/03/04, 12:03 PM PST

Machine problem

carl oaks senior living calm harbor, fl, Pinellas County, Florida

machine malfunction. workers not well trained.

053598

11/05/04, 1:21 PM PST

Other

County Courthouse - 315 Court Street, Pinellas County, Florida

Caller was given a paper ballot, absentee ballots -- told thats' what she should get -- fill in arrows -- security brown & white mailing envelope -- sign & date back of white mailing envelope

057985

11/15/04, 8:04 PM PST

Other polling place problem

St. Pete Beach Municipal Bldg, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St. Petersburg Beach, Pinellas County, Florida

Polling officials not helpful. Asked voter to go to two different lines. Voter finally gave up after 2 hrs. Will not vote if he has to vote at specific polling place.

 

 

Polling Place Problems

042316

11/02/04, 1:29 PM PST

Voter Intimidation; Early closing

14255 49th Street North-ste 202, Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida

told yesterday- polls open til 9pm-pollworker said at 7pm-Sheriff will get at the end of line. And, no one would be able to vote after 7pm.

022242

11/01/04, 11:00 AM PST

Long lines

PINELLAS County, Florida

2ND HAND INFO. WHILE MAKING GET-OUT-THE-VOTE CALLS YESTERDAY SHE WAS TOLD THAT EARLY VOTERS WHO WERE IN LINE A THE NORMAL CLOSING TIME WERE TOLD TO GO HOME AND COME BACK THE NEXT DAY. SHE WAS CONCERNED THATHIS VIOLATED RIGHTS. SHW WAS TOLD THERE WAS A LONG LINE THAT GOT SENT HOME. SHE DIDN'T KNOW THE NAMES OF THE AFFECTED VOTERS.

022410

11/01/04, 11:12 AM PST

Other polling place problem

St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

Wanted to do early voting in Florida, when she went to vote this morning at her usual polling place it was closed.

027065

11/01/04, 5:58 PM PST

Disability access problem

Pinellas Park Library 7770 52nd St., St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

Disabled voter never received absentee ballot. Spoke to someone at Clearwater election office regarding early voting and accommodations for the disabled. He was told that a Deputy would be at every polling place to assist the disabled. he went to Pinellas Park Library to vote. Once he arrived Deputy Brown told him there are no special accommodations for the disabled and he would have to wait 2-3 hrs. in line like everyone else. he called the election office and was told to go to another polling place that was disable accessible.

027895

11/01/04, 8:08 PM PST

Long lines

Pinellas County, Florida

Elderly person cannot wait 2 hours to stand in line to vote. Caller asks if she can stand in line for him.

033952

11/02/04, 8:18 AM PST

Disability access problem

St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

Waiting on line too long-need assistance

051715

11/03/04, 1:18 PM PST

Other ballot-related problem

Countryside area, Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida

Ballot was prevoted and stamped. Made her show ID- disappeared with it for over 10 minutes. Was able to vote.

052656

11/04/04, 1:04 PM PST

Other polling place problem

Seminole, Pinellas County, Florida

Too hot in polling place; people waiting to vote unable to withstand heat so they were leaving. She was a volunteer

053208

11/05/04, 8:10 AM PST

Machine problem; Identification-related problem; Other

Pinellas County, Florida

Grandmother of caller went to vote, but was flagged as having already voted. She filled in ballot of some sort (possible provisional?) 30 people had that problem that morning. Similar problem in WI.

053373

11/05/04, 10:40 AM PST

Other

1246 50th Ave N.; Roberts Rec , St. Petersburg, Pinealls County, Florida

Two precincts in one place, one has very short voting machines and no a/c, lots of elderly.

060956

01/11/05, 12:39 PM PST

Late opening

St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

Voter showed up at 5th Ave. poll site, but it was closed.

 

 

Registration Problems

017434

10/29/04, 3:45 PM PST

Registration-related problem

St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

Registered by deadline, did not receive card, called Elections Board, needs help, wants to vote.

016748

10/28/04, 12:34 PM PST

Registration-related problem

St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

Moved w/in same county. Filled out change of address form. Hadn't received anything.

009092

10/15/04, 8:56 AM PST

Registration-related problem

Palm Harbor, Pinellas County, Florida

Voter learned that registration is deemed incomplete for no signature.

011778

10/19/04, 10:05 AM PST

Registration-related problem

Pinellas County, Florida

Voter and family was registered in New Hampshire and moved to Florida. Her son apparently made an attempt to register and has since been advised that there was no record of his registration. Caller did not know whether he had in fact tried to register before deadline of Oct. 4.

018511

10/31/04, 10:54 AM PST

Registration-related problem

Largo, Pinellas County, Florida

Tried to register a couple of times, last time on the 12th of October -- after the registration deadline.

021910

11/01/04, 10:33 AM PST

Registration-related problem

Pinellas Co. County, Florida

Moved from one county to another. Re-registered in new county by the sierra club in front of Wal-Mart near USF campus. Called the new county and not on list. Caller has heard that people collecting registration forms were throwing away those checked democrat. She's a first time voter. Called previous county to see if she was registered and said she was but that the address changed and now couldn’t vote.

022057

11/01/04, 10:43 AM PST

Registration-related problem

Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida

did not receive new voter registration card

023218

11/01/04, 12:13 PM PST

Registration-related problem

Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida

Registered in parking lot, never got reg. form.

023990

11/01/04, 1:21 PM PST

Registration-related problem

St. Petersbur, Pinellas County, Florida

Caller called clerk in Pinellas who told her she's ineligible to vote in this election, regardless of county, even tho she told she registered.

036533

11/02/04, 9:49 AM PST

Registration-related problem

St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

No (that was all that was written on form)

043329

11/02/04, 2:05 PM PST

Registration-related problem

Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida

Caller registered via DMV, and did not receive voter registration card.

050363

11/02/04, 6:50 PM PST

Registration-related problem

Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida

Moved from Kissimmee to Clearwater 7 months ago. Registered 4 months ago in Clearwater. When he went to vote they could not find his name. We told him to go back to file a provisional ballot.

052420

11/04/04, 10:15 AM PST

Registration-related problem

Gulfport, Pinellas County, Florida

Registered 5 weeks ago and didn't received voters registration card.

052537

11/04/04, 11:39 AM PST

Registration-related problem

Pinellas County, Florida

Registered in both Charlotte & Pinellas County; lives in Pinellas. Registered in old county because DMV worker filled out paperwork incorrectly. Told can't do provisional ballot in Fl because not registered at correct precinct.

052710

11/04/04, 1:40 PM PST

Registration-related problem

Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida

Moved from OH to FL. She registered at the Clearwater Library on August 1. Went to early vote and was told she was not registered. Went to Clearwater court house -- registrar said her application was never received and was not allowed to vote. Many others that registered at Clearwater Library had same problem.

060763

01/07/05, 10:17 AM PST

Registration-related problem

Pinellas County, Florida

Voter not listed on rolls (registered 2 months before election)

060792

01/07/05, 12:34 PM PST

Registration-related problem

Belau, Pinellas County, Florida

Caller registered at the DMV. The Board of Elections claims that it cannot find his name.

060845

01/10/05, 1:47 PM PST

Registration-related problem

St. Peterburg, Pinellas County, Florida

Caller is a registered voter in St.Petersburg. Goes to school in ??? but is not registered there (person entering this cannot read the rest of the account of the problem)

 

Failure to allow vote by Provisional Ballot

048443

11/02/04, 5:14 PM PST

Provisional ballot problem

Duncan Library, Dunedin, Pinellas County County, Florida

She and a number of other Hispanic voters were denied the right to vote, even when the voter asked to be allowed to vote through provisional ballot, because the officer said she wasn't registered. Not given provisional ballots.

053192

11/05/04, 7:45 AM PST

Identification-related problem

Pinellas County, Florida

Election officials refused to let him vote because he did not have ID. He has voted there before. Turned away without any options.

053497

11/05/04, 12:24 PM PST

Provisional ballot problem; Other

Pinellas County, Florida

Was told that she couldn't vote because her drivers license number didn't appear on the registration and was not offered a provisional ballot, was told they're not counted anyway.

 

Improper Voter Roll Purges Alleged

052437

11/04/04, 10:31 AM PST

Registration-related problem

Pineallas , Pinellas County, Florida

Voter was told he was removed from voter rolls because he did not vote in last two primaries. Wife as able to vote

052621

11/04/04, 12:45 PM PST

Registration-related problem

Largo, Pinellas County, Florida

Individual was informed that she could not vote because she hadn't voted in last two election.

 

Absentee Ballot Problems

 

015139

10/26/04, 6:28 AM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem

Pinellas County, Florida

put less than right amount of stamps according to newspaper

 

016232

10/27/04, 2:43 PM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem

Pinellas County, Florida

Has been in NY and not received his absentee ballot from Florida

016664

10/28/04, 9:57 AM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem

Pinellas County, Florida

The voter requested an absentee ballot from Pinellas County clerk's office on 18 October because she was going to be away working in Wisconsin. She did not receive it and when she called she was told it had been sent out on Wed. 27th (i.e. not on the day that she requested it!)

022898

11/01/04, 11:49 AM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem

Pinellas County, Florida

Requested absentee ballot 2-3 weeks ago and ballot has not been received.

034828

11/02/04, 8:52 AM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem

Cypress Meadows Community Church, Safety Harbor, Pinellas County, Florida

Caller requested absentee ballot for his son at college in Orlando 4 weeks ago. Contacted the election supervisor last Tues. 10-26, and verified they had his address and was promised that it would be put in the mail that day to arrive no later than Fri. 10-29, as of today 11-1, he had not received it. [P]

056064

11/12/04, 11:09 AM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem

St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

Couple applied for absentee ballots. She is Rep, he is Dem, the Rep. ballot arrived, the Dem ballot did not. Person who didn't get ballot was able to early vote by regular ballot.

060859

01/11/05, 8:17 AM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem

Pinellas County, Florida

Voter lives in Georgia but is registered to vote in Florida. She requested but never received an absentee ballot.

 

Dirty Tricks

 

016562

10/28/04, 1:30 AM PST

Other

Pinellas County, Florida

Callers daughter is a student at the University of Florida. She was approached, on campus, by a group asking her to support a change in the state child molestation laws. After signing the forms they gave her she discovered that they had switched her voter registration from Democrat to Republican

016945

10/28/04, 4:31 PM PST

Registration-related problem

Tampa, Pinellas County, Florida

Voter had registered at University of South Florida. Registered as Democrat, but received voter registration card indicating Republican. Seems to be a part of petition fraud. Told her that it does not affect her right to vote, but that she should call the board of elections to change her party after the election.

 

018873

10/31/04, 2:53 PM PST

Registration-related problem

PALM HARBOR SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER, Palm Harbor, Pinellas County, Florida

Voter attempted to register at a Countryside Christian Center (part of Clearwater) in his neighborhood ...The pastor apparently told him that as a Democrat he is going to hell and belittled people who would vote for a Democrat...The attempted registration took place three months ago and he still hasn't gotten his card. The voter is afraid that the church tore up his registration form. He will call back tomorrow (11/1) with an update on the registration status.

 

024487

11/01/04, 2:04 PM PST

Other polling place problem

Largo, Pinellas County, Florida

Received call from Florida "voters hotline" 800-290-7787 telling voter that her precinct and polling place changed from Baptist Church to Plantera (sp?) Clubhouse. Voter called local board of Elections to check and learned that her polling place had not changed.

035585

11/02/04, 9:21 AM PST

Other

Pinellis County, Florida

People knocking on doors and saying "Vote here for Kerry. Don't bother going to the polls." Additionally, today at the polling place there was someone dressed up in Kerry garb on 1st Ave. So. and told them the same message - to vote there for Kerry not at the polls.

053402

11/05/04, 11:08 AM PST

Polling place inquiry

St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

Caller called late last night (11/1)and didn't identify organization. Gave her address to vote which was wrong. Told her to go back to "Vote for Change". She told them had wrong address. He said go there and hurry up. She went to address and voted no one else at poll had seen problem.

056196

11/12/04, 1:35 PM PST

Voter Intimidation

St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

Got a call 3-4 days ago saying that her voter id was wrong. Claims that he was w/voter registration office.

 

 

053313

11/05/04, 9:33 AM PST

Other ballot-related problem

Pinellas County County, Florida

Mailed ballot; man took ballot

014934

10/25/04, 2:22 PM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem; Voter Intimidation

St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

Voter has mailed absentee ballot ten days ago. Man came to door on 10/22 asking for him by name, represented himself as from county board of elections to pick up absentee ballot. When voter said he'd mailed ballot, man told him he should not have sent it by mail but give it to him in person and in the future. Very convincing, so didn't report until next day to local police. Has heard reports of other

018722

10/31/04, 1:20 PM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem; Voter Intimidation

St. Petersburg, Pinnellas County, Florida

Voter received his absentee ballot last Thursday. He filled it out and put it in the envelope and was ready to send it. Then, he received a call from some people who said they could come by and take his ballot for him. He said he did not want them to come take his ballot. They came anyway and he gave them his ballot. [P] The people who contacted Shawn knew all his information, name, address, when they talked to him. When they showed up to take his ballot, they identified themselves as collecting ballots on behalf of the Democratic Party.

025708

11/01/04, 4:01 PM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem

St. Petersburg/Coquina Key, Pinellas County, Florida

On Sat., individuals bringing "absentee ballots" around and telling individuals to fill out, put them in mailboxes without postage and they would be picked up. Same individual asking if they didn't want an absentee ballot, to sign a piece of paper and give voter registration number. A week later with official looking DNC badges asking if they had absentee ballot and that the only way to vote was to hand in absentee ballot at polls. Otherwise, they were not allowed to vote. Have alerted the news media. [P]

 

Voter Intimidation

016887

10/28/04, 3:43 PM PST

Other

Pinellas County, Florida

Company is forcing overtime on November 2. Forced overtime hours make it such that can't vote while polls are open. Caller wants us to call the union so that it can tell people to go vote early so as to not run into this problem.

017870

10/30/04, 10:33 AM PST

Voter Intimidation

St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

Went to early voting polling place; wearing a Bush shirt and was vocal about support for Bush; told by polling place worker wearing Kerry/Edwards pin that they were too busy for him to vote; was not able to vote

032046

11/02/04, 7:00 AM PST

Voter Intimidation; Other

112 19th Ave Se, St. Petersburg, Pinellias County, Florida

US Marshall Service was in van parked in front of polling place - binoculars and cameras Chevy Tahoe with telephoto lens. The agent gave his card and credentials. He watched for return of van today, but no van.

 

Ballot Problems

018076

10/30/04, 1:51 PM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem

St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

She received absentee ballot, but it only has ballot referenda, not candidate info. Called Bd. of Elections to get full ballot - they said no time to re-send. Told her to come to Clearwater to get new ballot. She can't, because too far away. Husband is dying, so can't leave *at all*. Oddly, she also got something from Bd. of Elections last week in the mail- then they called the next a.m. and told her to send it back without opening - she did, so doesn't know what was in it. Clearwater is an hour away - there's no way she can get there. Frustrated.

051083

11/03/04, 9:02 AM PST

Absentee-ballot related problem

St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

Received absentee ballot missing 1 page (the page for senate candidates). Sent ballot off yesterday.

 

https://voteprotect.org/index.php?display=EIRMapCounty&state=Florida&county=Pinellas&cat=ALL&tab=ALL&pagetop=50

 

Pinellas County. The reversal of 17,000 incorrect votes due to a counting error on Amendment A will not be corrected. State law dictates that vote totals cannot be changed once they are signed and submitted to the state elections board.   http://www.votersunite.org/article.asp?id=4194

 

 

Pinellas County. 12 more uncounted ballots were found -- 2 ballots sitting in a box headed for storage, and 12 provisional ballots in a blue pouch in the loading area   http://www.votersunite.org/article.asp?id=3916

 

 

Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. Computers fail to connect to the main computer to verify voter registration.           http://www.votersunite.org/article.asp?id=3299

 

Statistical study showing apparent high lost votes or misvotes due to election irregularities:      http://www.flcv.com/fla04EAS.html