There Will Be “A Lot of Disenfranchised Voters” Says Jumaane Williams
At last night’s Community Board 14 meeting, the two most important topics were obvious: Sandy recovery and election preparation. Councilman Jumaane Williams stopped by to educate voters about the process and problems, delivering a dose of reasoned pessimism in the hours before Election Day.
“There’s going to be a lot of disenfranchised voters,” said Jumaane Williams, explaining the problems with moving poll sites, redistricting and shortage of poll workers among other issues. His diagnosis today is no better.
Help/media needed @ny1 @ny1desk @courtneycgross @BOENYC massive confusion at Vanderveer Methodist Glenwood/Nostrand Ave pic.twitter.com/lfnIWISS
— Jumaane Williams (@JumaaneWilliams) November 6, 2012
This is outrageous, disgraceful and disrespectful to what voting should be @BOENYC I didn't think you could top the primary, but CONGRATS!
— Jumaane Williams (@JumaaneWilliams) November 6, 2012
Never received so many problems so early from so many places. PS 152 88 year old just left w/voting. @BOENYC
— Jumaane Williams (@JumaaneWilliams) November 6, 2012
https://twitter.com/BKcolin/status/265859296531730435
The Observer’s Colin Campbell isn’t much happier with Election Day around the city. He showcased reports of long lines, missing machines, misinformation, jammed scanners and a rather long list of problems from every corner of New York City.
The Board of Election was still hiring huge numbers of poll workers as late as last night. How have your poll workers handled the day?
We have recruited & trained 36,000 poll workers. We appreciate your patience in these challenging circumstances #nycvotes #ny1votes #nyvotes
— NYCBoardOfElections (@BOENYC) November 6, 2012
Meanwhile, voting lines are not the only long lines in New York today.
No, that's not a line to vote. That's a line to pick up canned food in Coney Island. #StretchesAroundTheBlock pic.twitter.com/o1CHHFOG
— David G. Greenfield (@NYCGreenfield) November 6, 2012
Line on Foster for gas at CIA, no line for voting on Newkirk at PS 217. #NYCgas #VOTE pic.twitter.com/UOTRrBKf
— Ditmas Park Corner (@DPCornerblog) November 6, 2012
The polling place on Avenue H and East 9th had no line as of 11 a.m.
A neighbor reported 15 minutes of lines at the Cortelyou Library at 12:30 p.m. “All the neighbors were out. Very pleasant experience. Hope the day ends just as lovely.”
There are significant lines at PS 249 has been called “a nightmare” by neighbors.
@DPCornerblog voting at PS 249 District 18 is a MESS! Unorganized. Chaotic. Confused. A few words to describe. And a pick pocket occured!
— Sandy (@ggoldieloxs) November 6, 2012
@DPCornerblog 2 lines around the block at PS 249. Chaotic inefficiency, confusion & m/b voter fraud. Am reporting. pic.twitter.com/Ikq6EQmD
— Natasha Padilla (@NPadillaNYC) November 6, 2012
Kathy Jones sent this photo in from Cortelyou Road:
Bonnie sent this picture in from PS 152:
Another opinion: Yes, it’s bad, we just weren’t able to talk about as easily before.
Heresy of the day: Social media makes the errors and dirty tricks that have always been part of elections seem much worse.
— Drew McCoy (@_Drew_McCoy_) November 6, 2012
If you are having problems:
Are you experiencing any problems at the poll sites? Tweet them at me, or email gethelp@pubadvocate.nyc.gov #NYC #Election2012
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) November 6, 2012
Keep up us to date and tell us about your voting experience. The media is listening, the politicians are listening and, believe it or not, the Board of Election is listening, too. Leave a comment, email us at ditmasparkcorner@gmail.com or tweet us at @DPCornerBlog. Good luck out there.