I’ve been working on another story, of late, so haven’t been able to cover the precinct place mess in Garland County, AR which emerged over the weekend. (What’s the matter with Arkansas when it comes to elections?! See my exclusive on Monroe County from late last week, for just one possible answer, in case you’re wondering). Also, I was happy to see the issue getting plenty of coverage from sites like DailyKos and MoveOn, etc., so didn’t feel I was either needed, or had anything additional to add at the moment.
But, as the bizarre decision/behavior by the Garland County Election Commissioner Charles Tapp could come into play tomorrow, depending on the reported results of the hotly contested Democratic U.S. Senate primary run-off election between incumbent Sen. Blanche Lincoln and Lt. Gov. Bill Halter — and as so many have written in to make sure I knew about the situation (I do) — it seems worth at least flagging here for now at The BRAD BLOG, to make sure that you know about it.
For that, allow me to defer to Joyce McCloy’s Voting News coverage of the coverage today…
AR: Hundreds of voters turned away from the polls:
AR: Making Sense of the Closed Polls in Arkansas * (text, video interviews & photos):
AR: Garland County Election Controversy: Voters Turned Away * (video avail)
At first, he said an attorney with the Secretary of State’s office advised him he could do it, so he made the announcement.
But he later came across an Arkansas law that requires him to give at least 5 days notice to the public when opening a polling location.
AR: Halter: Concerned about Garland Co. early voting:
AR: O’Brien plan to avoid vote fiasco:
For important voting news headlines and highlights of the type highlighted above, be sure to sign up for Joyce’s excellent, nightly emailed newsletter right here and/or follow @VotingNews on Twitter!
UPDATE 6/8/10: One more for now, also courtesy Joyce this morning, for those wondering who Garland had supported in the general primary election on May 18th:
AR: Halter, Lincoln in war of words to the finish:
Garland County was the most populous county Halter won on May 18. He received 44 percent of the county’s vote to Lincoln’s 40 percent.
Where’s Blanche Lincoln’s hand in this. You know, Blanche Lincoln (R-AR)? What are her ties to the Garland County election officials?
Now we know why the democrats never were up in arms about election fraud. They were just waiting for their turn.
Molly, as Brad’s earlier coverage of Kentucky Fried Clickin’ demonstrated, the threat of election fraud was never limited to those who have an “R” at the end of their name.
The central tenet of election integrity is “trust no one.” Accuracy can be insured only where there is complete transparency.
FDL reported:
The use of the word “boneheaded” is far too charitable given the fact that Garland County went to Halter by 4% in the recent primary.
The broader problem that arises from this latest example of blatant voter suppression is that local election officials have far too much discretion and power. Time and again, whether it be the selection of unverifiable electronic DREs or the eleventh hour closure of 40 of 42 polling stations, local officials have demonstrated that they cannot be entrusted with the keys to our democracy.
One wonders why Halter did not seek an immediate injunction to prevent the closure of those 40 polls the moment Charles Tapp made an announcement that would amount to forcing the some citizens of Garland County to drive more than 20 miles to cast their votes.
Do the voters of Garland County have any recourse here??? Some court will have to see the injustice that has been done. Motions will be filed or something legalese that I wouldn’t be able to put a name on, right? Right??
Am I still in America?