[LWVNM Action] Election Opportunities

[Elene]

 Common Cause sends out election protection volunteers for that purpose so if you want to do it, contact them.  I've done that a few times.  Volunteers can call a central number if anyone is having difficulty voting or there is any untoward behavior that isn't being stopped, harassment or whatever.  At one point there was a caravan of Trump supporters driving around from poll location to poll location trying to intimidate voters, for example.  We were on the lookout for them and did call the cops.  Poll workers are inside the building and may not see stuff like that, whereas the Common Cause volunteers are outside.

In practice, for the most part I found that either nothing at all happened, and I just hung out, or I needed help and couldn't get it.  In 2020 or 22 I was stationed at Daskalos Plaza, with all my credentials, and the owner of the plaza threatened to have me arrested for trespassing.  We had been there year after year, and obviously that plaza had been a polling place for ages, but she insisted that she had never heard of anyone volunteering like that.  She wouldn't listen to any explanation.  Crazy person.  So in this case it wasn't partisan forces we had to worry about, but someone who was getting paid for the whole thing to happen at her place.  I can't begin to describe how weird it was.  Anyway, I couldn't get any backup.  I made myself scarce until she left and then I went back to where I was supposed to be.

Elene


    On Monday, September 9, 2024 at 11:25:53 PM MDT, Meredith Machen via Action <action at mailman.swcp.com> wrote:   

 There is usually armed security at the polls these days. 

Meredith Ross Machen
505-577-6337
Meredith.machen at gmail.com



On Mon, Sep 9, 2024 at 10:31 PM Barbara Calef via Action <action at mailman.swcp.com> wrote:

I think if they are having problems, the clerks will alert the police.
Barbara
On Mon, Sep 9, 2024 at 9:24 PM karen wentworth via Action <action at mailman.swcp.com> wrote:


Dick-

 

Should we talk with our county clerks and ask them to alert us if they are having problems with partisan poll watchers or citizens during early voting and election day voting? We can supply volunteers with official LWV Observer buttons they can wear.

 

Karen Wentworth

From: Action <action-bounces at mailman.swcp.com> On Behalf Of Richard Mason via Action
Sent: Saturday, September 7, 2024 10:19 AM
To: LWVNM Action <action at mailman.swcp.com>
Cc: Richard Mason <polirich at aol.com>
Subject: [LWVNM Action] Election Opportunities

 

The LWVNM has registered as an Election Related Organization with the SOS.

 

That gives us the opportunity to appoint nonpartisan "Watchers". That allows you to be inside the voting locations to observe the voting process. This is different from a "Challenger" who can challenge the process.

 

Election Challengers, Watchers & Observers Information | Maggie Toulouse Oliver - New Mexico Secretary of State (nm.gov)

 

Email us at act at lwvnm.org if you are interested

 

Of course, the first priority is to be sure we have enough "poll workers". who are paid by the county to work at the polls. If you are interested contact your county clerk.

 

Misinformation - The SOS has appointed a point person to deal with misinformation about the election.
The LWVNM has agreed to pass on any reports we get from members. Not set up to do that right now. Probably, just before early voting starts.

 

Dick Mason
Voting & Elections Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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