Under Florida law, in a section called "Voter's Bill of Rights," every voter is legally entitled to "vote free from coercion or intimidation by elections officers or any other person." Seldom has that provision been so germane.
As early voting soon gives way to Election Day, the 2004 election may well need its own version of a Homeland Security Advisory System. For voters, the risk seems at least elevated, or yellow, which means emergency planning, alternative routes and being "alert for suspicious activity."
The kinds of tactics surfacing throughout Florida invite the attention of Attorney General Charlie Crist, who could send an important message about the seriousness of election fraud and intimidation. Elections supervisors already report such incidents as: voters getting a knock at their door and being asked to hand over absentee ballots to people they don't know; voters being asked by people posing as elections workers about any history of arrest or outstanding parking tickets or personal debt; voters being told they can register their vote simply by telling their choices to someone who visits their home.
But the problems don't stop there. The major political parties and various public interest groups are sending an estimated 5,000 official observers to the polls on Tuesday, observers who could by law challenge the right of anyone who tries to vote. Those numbers may be dwarfed by those who will stand outside the polling places, at least 50 feet away if they are following the law, and attempt to size up or influence or frighten voters.
"My big concern is that you are going to have people sitting in these polling places with their finger on a hair trigger because they want some action," says Pasco Elections Supervisor Kurt Browning. "I would hope and pray that both parties think this thing through."
Observers are welcome at the polls, but intimidation tactics are not. Unfortunately, voters this year may have to endure long waits, but they should not have to deal with people who want to bully away their constitutional right. This election, voters will need to bring to the polls something in addition to their registration card and ID card. They will need patience, resolve and the mettle to reject the advances of anyone who tries to get in their way.
