|
Comment on this article |
View comments |
Email this Feature
|
|
News :: Elections & Legislation |
|
Local Polls See Heavy Turnout for 2004 Election |
Current rating: 1 |
|
by NWFIMC Staff |
02 Nov 2004
|
|
Record numbers are voting in the 2004 election with polling stations around Pensacola appear to have steady traffic. While all eyes are on Florida, several national and local groups have set up monitors to ensure that this election goes off without a hitch. Still, reports of some intimidation tactics have already surfaced. |
 Local Polls See Heavy Turnout for 2004 (S)Election |
Record numbers are voting in the 2004 election with polling stations around Pensacola appear to have steady traffic. While several national and local groups have set up monitors to ensure that this election goes off without a hitch, reports of some intimidation tactics have already surfaced.
One incident occurred at the American Legion on Barrancas Street. The polling station, in a heavy minority district, had a van with "Veterans for Bush/Cheney" signs with a flat tire partially blocking the enterance to the station. The van was not moved for several hours. The driver was reportedly waiting for Triple A before he would move it. There have also been reports of people wearing similar colored clothes to Sheriff's uniforms telling voters "Don't Turn America Gay" and asking "You know which way to vote, don't you." While this is legal, it can have the effect of intimidation to people who may feel that these white men are sheriffs.
Brent Cox of the ACLU said that a few instances of law enforcement officials standing inside the polling stations was reported. "This gives the impression of an inappopriate relationship between law enforcement and voting," Cox said in a telephone interview as the polls were closing. He noted that although inappopriate, he didn't feel that these were intentional violations, but done out of ignorance of election laws that state law enforcement aren't allowed inside the precints.
I asked officials with NAACP at my own polling station if they had had any problems, or heard of any major problems locally. They reported that they had heard of none.
Besides the national election, candidates for US Senate, Florida Supreme Court, Escambia County Sheriff, County Commission, and Pensacola City Council are being decided today. Also, ammendments on abortion restrictions and a substantial minimum wage increase are on the ballot as well.
Polls in Escambia County closed at 7pm.
For election results, please go to http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/news/special/election/results.shtml
****************************
Read more about the US elections by going to the new United States Indymedia site at http://www.indymedia.us/en |
See also:
http://www.indymedia.us/en
|
This work is in the public domain. |
|
Re: Local Polls See Heavy Turnout for 2004 Election |
by bushisnuts
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
03 Nov 2004
|
|
Oh shit. I can't believe it's happening. |
|
Re: Local Polls See Heavy Turnout for 2004 Election |
by IMC
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
03 Nov 2004
|
|
John Edwards has been dispathced to Ohio to tell supporters that the election will not be decided by Wednesday. Here we go again... |
|
Re: Local Polls See Heavy Turnout for 2004 Election |
by Scott
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
03 Nov 2004
|
|
I guess you all know the results now. Kerry conceded the election. I wish he'd have fought it out a little more, but I see why he did. I'm sad about all of this. |
