Voting Problems In Indiana Already

WTHR

I was just watching the local news, and it seems that things are off to a hectic start here in central Indiana. I had worried that the new voter ID law would be an issue (as many people around here don't have/can't afford IDs), but it turns out that -- SURPRISE SURPRISE! -- these ridiculous Diebold machines and workers not showing up to do their jobs are the main problems.

In Delaware County: on TV, they reported that at one precinct, the voting got off to a late start because the workers didn't bother to show up on time (and some had to be cabbed in to work). As reported on the site: an apparent computer error prevented voters from casting ballots in 75 precincts, and election officials sought a court order to extend the voting tonight. Voters in Delaware County will now be able to vote until 8:40 p.m. -- almost three hours beyond the planned 6 p.m. poll closure. Delaware County Clerk Karen Wenger says start cards that activate the push-button machines for voters were programmed incorrectly. On TV, it was said that they're being forced to stay open that late by a court order.

Here in Marion County: paper ballots had to be used in more than 100 of the 914 precincts where touch-screen machines were not working. County Clerk Doris Ann Sadler says some poll workers had trouble starting and running machines. She also says some inspectors didn't show up as scheduled, forcing her to find last-minute substitutes.

One caller told Eyewitness News that the election official at the precinct at 56th and Illinois in Marion County said he didn't have time to turn the machines on.

On a personal note, my brother-in-law just got asked by his manager if "going to vote is more important than his job". Another one chimed in that if he was going to miss some work, then he could just stay home. He's afraid to report this himself because he doesn't want to be fired.

How's that for "democracy," folks?