Trump is sending “watchers” out to keep an eye on things.
If we take Trump at face value (And I realize how hard that is) what is it these watchers are supposed to be doing? Looking for people who vote then walk right back to the end of the line to vote again?
I know this thread is going to get lots of snarky answers, but if Trump actually has a theory about how this fraud works and what exactly it is his watchers are supposed to be doing, I’d be interested in hearing it. Because so far, the only instructions I’ve heard Trump give is “Keep an eye on things” which seems a little vague if there actually is a scheme to how this voter fraud works. Which I don’t think there is.
I hope you don’t consider this a snarky answer, but I think it will be an attempt to intimidate those who have the temerity of voting while Hispanic or voting while black into either leaving the polling places before voting or staying away from the polls altogether.
One of the issues that has been repeatedly raised here is the possibility of tampering of the voting machines, either locally or remotely. Not people falsely voting, but votes being falsely counted for one when they were entered for another. And results in the voting machines being altered. The basic problem being that many parts of America use machines and not paper.
This is not something Trump’s “poll watchers” are going to have any impact on during the process of citizens voting, unless you are saying they will be in the voting booth with the voter, which I believe is against the law.
I think it’s simply an attempt to increase the waiting times at the polls. People have lives, and if you can make them wait an extra hour to vote, a certain number of them will bail out. This will be most effective in Pennsylvania, where challenging a voter puts the onus on them to prove they’re eligible. Here’s an article describing how it works.
Here’s a quote from the article:
Though such challenges are rare, say election officials in several Pennsylvania counties, it is nevertheless much easier to issue a challenge than it is to answer one. The burden of proof is on the voter, who then has to either vote on a provisional ballot or find a witness who lives in the same precinct (say, a friend, spouse or neighbor) to sign an affidavit vouching for the voter’s identity and residence.
My mind tried to do a play-by-play of how poll-watching would work: perhaps challenging everyone who entered and asking/demanding to know how they intend to vote. They’d get a combination of Rs, Ds, and ‘fuck yous’, no doubt.
I wonder if they’d be stunned at how many declared they were voting D. I wouldn’t put it past them to deliberately under-count this number to keep their precious blinkered view of the world intact. And when they count - low and behold - the D votes are inflated!
Surely Trump is personally aware that there is, in fact, no voter fraud problem whatsoever. His actual motives for encouraging “vigilance” have already been well addressed in this thread.
I suspect this as well. That being the case, there as to be a cover story right? I’m currious as to what the actual cover story is. Or is “Just keep an eye on things” the entire cover story?
Sounds like there are two “cover stories”: 1. helping to create a safe space for shy Trump voters (some of whom apparently feel MORE comfortable in the presence of a white person with a gun); and, 2. pretending to help prevent (fictional) voter fraud by both sides (with the further fiction that, if fraud existed, it would disproportionately harm Trump’s chances of victory).
Other than intimidation, I’m not sure I understand how this is supposed to work. Sure, poll workers or attorneys for one party or the other could challenge a voter’s eligibility, but what is your average Joe off the street going to be able to do? What authority do they have to question someone else’s eligibility?
Poll watchers are normal and are certified by both parties. They are there primarily to make sure the poll workers don’t cheat. for example, Democrats will be watching to make sure voters aren’t challenged unreasonably and Republicans will be watching to make sure voters are complying with state laws. So where poll watchers must ask for ID, they will, and where they are not supposed to, they won’t. Just to use one example. Poll watchers basically watch for any irregularity and report back to the main party. That’s how we learn about long lines and such, or machine malfunctions, and yes, if someone got back in line and the poll workers were lazy as hell and didn’t feel like challenging someone who already voted, a poll watcher would object. Or if a voter showed up and someone had already voted in their name, that’s it, they voted already.
Isn’t the right wing conspiracy that people vote five times by being bussed to different polling stations and voting each time under a different name? (using dead people’s names in one theory I’ve heard). I agree Trump just wants to intimidate and it’s a thuggish tactic but I think thats the way they think its done.
Trump is concentrating on the voting process–not the counting.
My mother was an election judge many years ago. Early-model machines were used. After voting ended, all “extra” personnel were kicked out. (Kids could observe if their Mom was in charge!) The votes were counted & recorded, with several witnesses.
Trump envisions gun-toting white goons discouraging voting in non-white precincts.
Most states (or is it a federal law?) have requirements that there be no “campaigning” within 100 feet of the polls. At what point are “citizen guards” allowed or prevented from engaging people in the line to vote, on any pretext or with any question?
(Envisioning non-white voters being challenged, however mildly, while standing in line.)
Do the fraudsters have a secret stash of buses somewhere, that they only bring out for the election? If not, it seems like it would be a trivial matter to subpoena the records of bus charter companies and see who hired them on election day, and where those buses went.
Dems are going all out on this one. First, they rig all the polls to make it look like their candidate is winning. That way, people won’t be surprised when she does. Then, they pore over the records to find out who is registered to vote and has recently rung down the curtain and joined the Choir Invisible. Then they gather the volunteers and swear them to secrecy. (Democrats are surprisingly good at ultra-secret conspiracy.) Then, they gather transportation resources and lay out the schedules. (Democrats are astonishingly good at logistics, even better than they are at ultra-secrecy!)
At this point, things can get a little complicated…
Pretty much. Here, the R’s make a point of busing all the folks in the various retirement homes to the polls. (Small town, blue state, and we have about 2-300 retirement residents.)