Voting officals warn against 'Video Your Vote'

Sign forbidding cellphone use, at the entrance to a polling station at the West Park Government Center in Cobb Co., Monday, Oct 13, 2008. (Dave Bender)

PBS, YouTube and other web sites want voters to use their video-equipped cellphones and PDA's to film the process on November 4th, and then upload the clips to the internet.

But there's a problem: it's illegal.

Georgia, Florida, Michigan and several other states outlaw photography or recording devices at polling stations, to one degree or another.

Nancy Boren is head of Elections and Registrations in Muscogee County.

She says polling workers and volunteers are aware of the issue, and will try to thwart it:

“We do have prohibition notices posted at our advanced and absentee voting sites; they are in clear view of the voters; they have the opportunity to review them before they enter the enclosed space for voting.”

But organizers of "Video Your Vote," and similar sites say the initiative is meant to protect voting rights by monitoring the electoral process, and fight vote fraud.

Voters in the 2000 and 2004 complained of irregularities at polling stations, including malfunctioning voting machines, vote fraud and intimidation.

Numerous signs forbidding any campaigning within 150 feet of the outer edge of the polling station were posted at at the West Park Government Center in Cobb Co., Monday, Oct 13, 2008. (Dave Bender)

Opponents call the video idea an invasion of privacy, and that the very act of filming is disruptive and would affect the outcome of voting.

Boren says that in any case, the law will be enforced:

“If that became necessary, the sheriff’s department would be called, and a deputy would come here to talk with the voter, hopefully to get them to comply and then if they don’t, they would be removed from the voting precinct.”

Poll worker distributing sample ballots to voters at the polling station at West Park Government Center in Cobb Co., Monday, Oct 13, 2008. (Dave Bender)

Punishments vary in the states where it’s forbidden, and some states have buffer zones for campaigning and photography.

But, Boren says - so far - voters in her county have been very cooperative, and officials haven’t had to confiscate any communications devices.

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New law allows casting ballots Monday

Changes in state law allow voters to begin casting ballots Monday. That gives registered voters more than six weeks to use touch-screen machines at their local election offices or use mail-in absentee ballots instead of waiting until a week before the Nov. 4 presidential election.

Voters do not have to give a reason for voting early or casting an absentee ballot. Election officials say they expect 80 percent of voters to vote in November and are asking people to vote early to cut down on Election Day lines.

Although high turnout may present some challenges, secretary of state spokesman Matt Carrothers says the state is "absolutely" prepared for Election day and has recruited 15,000 poll workers.

(The Associated Press)

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Advanced voting starts today

Advance voting begins today for Georgia's primary runoff, but not many people are expected to vote.

There is a statewide runoff for the Democratic Nomination to the U.S. Senate. It pits Dekalb CEO Vernon Jones against former State lawmaker Jim Martin. In order to win, candidates must be able to bring people back to the polls.

Runoff elections are known for very low voter turn-outs—the kind where every vote truly counts. For example in Fulton County, where a sheriff's race also needs to be decided, officials only expect 8 percent voter participation. There are a handful of other local races in runoffs around the state.

Advanced voting for the August 5th runoff runs through Friday at local elections offices.

Secretary of State Karen Handel is reminding voters to bring a photo Id when casting a ballot in person. If you didn't vote on the July 15th primary you can still vote in the runoff. But those who did vote in the primary as either a Democrat or a Republican can only cast a ballot for the same party.