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Get Out And Vote / On Your Bike!
Primary 2008 May 6th
English Mike - South Bend, IN
Randy - Elkhart, IN
| I know that it isn't
easy to remember to grab the camera with you when you head out to
vote - not #1 on the list. I hope that everyone that headed out that
day did so on their bikes. ABATE is a legislative organization after
all and reminding the public that we are here and do not take this
right lightly is very important. Thought I would share with you my experience this year - but first a little lesson on polling places. I did this back in the 1980's, don't think much has changed in all those years. There are seven people working the polling place. two Clerks, two Sheriffs, two Judges and one Inspector. There are two because there are two main parties, The Inspector is from the party that got the most votes for Secretary of State in the last election in your precinct. Which means that in one part of town they might be Republicans and in another they are Democrats. The two Clerks jobs are to check you in and make sure you get the right paperwork. The Judges are there to assist and make sure everything is running on par. The Sheriffs, well they keep the peace (no on duty police are allowed in a polling place). The Inspectors job is to run the place and resolve any problems that the Judges can't. There is this small issue that they only have jurisdiction of a range of 50 feet from the voting both... Here's what happened when I went in: The Sheriff, an ABATE member, had parked his bike inside the polling place. It's a fire station and the trucks are there - guess you can put a bike in there too. Actually it was a great picture - polling booths (our new ones where you fill in the ovals) with the Harley in the back ground. I asked about getting the picture cuz he didn't want to let it out of his sight. I was told no pictures inside the polling place, cool, but I did plan to get the picture of my bike anyways. So the Sheriff and I went outside and I was going to let him get the picture of me on the bike. So I thought. The Inspector of the opposite party from the Sheriff said we couldn't, and said she would call the Election Commissioner. The two argued for a minute, she didn't call and he came out and we took the picture. As for me, I headed home and started working on the site. As for the Sheriff and Inspector they got into it over the picture. Now the Sheriff wants me to file a complaint, because he is. My thought is simple and will not change. It seemed more of a personal argument between the two, maybe political. But, my right to vote was not infringed. My liberties might have been slowed. The picture was taken, I'm satisfied. I do realize that he shouldn't have left the building and that she couldn't really stop me from taking a picture Outside. I believe it is best to leave this one alone. -English Mike
skisbar.com/rant/vote/vote.htm |
May 22, 2007
