Hillary Mailed Surrogate Caucus Forms To Her "Likely" Voters - So They Can Lie And Vote Easier

[Yallow]

Story from Kos.

"“Special Message from President Clinton.” Enclosed with the letter was the Surrogate Affidavit Form for the 2016 Democratic Precinct Caucus. This form allows people who have schedule conflict due to religious observance or work, or a disability or illness to submit a caucus vote without attending.""

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/3/13/1500586/-Clinton-Campaign-Caucus-Conniving-in-Washington-State

So you can fill out the caucus forms if you are too lazy to caucus, and lie about the fact that you are too lazy to caucus.

No verification.

I think every single Clinton Surrogate Form should be challenged.

The person has to prove they had to go to work, or church, or had a doctor's appointment for their caucus vote to count.

This is beyond sick.

Anything to win right Hillary?

And to think every establishment Democrat here endorsed her, when Bernie is gonna smoke her in Washington State, playing fair and square.

[RandySF]

1. Not everyone is a millennial with nothing to do on a Saturday.

The caucus is being held during spring break not, but kids are not in school on Saturdays. So while Bernie supporters can spend x number of hours sitting and voting, others have to figure out what to do with their kids. Thank God I don't live in Washington because mine is sick.

[dchill]

6. Unlike in OH, spring breakers...

were not around to vote. Generalizations are for a******s.

[RandySF]

11. They could have used, guess what, absentee ballots.

[Lizzie Poppet]

23. You realize millennials are MORE likely to be working a Saturday than most workers, right?

Only c. 40% of millennials are in college. As younger workers, millennials are more likely to be working in precisely the sort of service-sector jobs that schedule people on weekends.

Hillary voters run (a lot) older, are more likely to be in careers that have a M-F work week (or are retired).

So while Bernie supporters home from college can spend x number of hours sitting and voting, others have to figure out what to do with my kids. Thank God I don't live in Washington because my is sick.

Um...what?

Since I doubt "others" are in any position to figure out what to do with your kids, I'll assume you were in so much of a hurry with this crap that, well...you see the result.

[RandySF]

31. Then they can vote AV

And stop complaining about anyone else using them.

[Yallow]

42. These Are Not Absentee Ballots

Caucusing is different from voting.

Use them if you have a legitimate reason.

Caucusing is not voting.

[Betty Karlson]

61. ^this ^ The Clinton camp's millennial-bashing is disgusting.

They call us entitled, while they still enjoy regular workweeks. Shameful projection!

[CorporatistNation]

84. ALL Surrogate Caucus Apps Should Be Validated!

If someone has to work, church, illness... Yeah OK... Who however Has to go to Church on Saturday other than those who are Jewish? Perfectly acceptable for Jews, for others... Christians certainly... Open To Question!

[all american girl]

73. So this would be good for them, also. n/t

[noamnety]

81. It doesn't appear that you understand the term "millennials."

Millennials range from 18-33 years old.
The average age of first time parents in the US is 25 years old.

[riversedge]

2. WA allows absentee caucus ballots.

[Yallow]

43. No They Don't

Only if you "can't" caucus.

Not because you are too low energy to go down there and actually caucus.

[riversedge]

44. Yes, only if they can't. Your OP is looking more foolish as time passes. Take it down.

[NuclearDem]

50. "too low energy"

Oh dear.

[all american girl]

74. Nice Trump phrase there

[DemocratSinceBirth]

82. Where have we heard that one before?

Not because you are too low energy to go down there and actually caucus.

Oh, if someone wants to make vote voting harder they can resurrect poll taxes, grandfather clauses, and tests, hmmmm.

[itsrobert]

3. You want to challenge voters?

Is that what Democrats do nowadays?

[grossproffit]

5. Only those voting for Hillary.

[dchill]

7. Yes.

[dchill]

9. Yes.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

83. Only the "low energy ones"

Not because you are too low energy to go down there and actually caucus.

If you can't do fifty military push ups you can't vote.

[Tarc]

4. So the Clinton campaign mailed out absentee ballots for people to use if they need to

and you immediately jump to "they're gonna use em for deceptive purposes!"

[all american girl]

75. Back in 2008, I voted in WA. We were stationed in Germany, and as far as I could tell

I was unable to participate. I think this is great. Some of us don't have the ability to be part of the process because of outside forces. I'm not getting why this is a bad thing. Aren't we all Dems...we like MORE people part of the game, not less.

[Jitter65]

8. So Bernie voters can use them too. What's the diff? nt

[riversedge]

10. The OP does not know the WA rules--but he sure can Hit on Hillary. Shameful

[Yallow]

15. Only If Hillary Supporters Got Them

Despicable.

[riversedge]

24. Bernie camp would be foolish not to do the same. Looks like Hillary did

your camp a favor.

[brooklynite]

71. Sanders Campaign: "If you are working that day and unable to attend the precinct caucus..."

"you can get a form allowing someone else to vote for you."

http://washingtonforberniesanders.com/how-to-become-a-delegate-for-bernie-sanders

[NanceGreggs]

25. If only Hillary supporters got them ...

... that would be yet another example of Bernie's campaign not knowing what they're doing.

By NOT reminding their supporters that they can still vote if personal attendance isn't possible, the Bernie campaign is just being - uh, stupid.

[Renew Deal]

35. Didn't Weaver say he doesn't know the caucus rules?

Maybe that's why they're losing so badly.

[NanceGreggs]

36. I've never seen anything like this.

It's like everything about running a campaign is news to these people.

[Yallow]

45. Like Making It Easy To Lie

About having to work, or being sick?

Caucus, or don't vote.

We are a caucus state, not an absentee ballot voting primary state.

[all american girl]

76. Why do you think so poorly of your fellow voters? n/t

[MineralMan]

85. Well...see...here's the thing...

Bernie's campaign didn't send those surrogate ballots to their supporters. Hillary's did. That's unfair. Her campaign should have checked with Bernie's campaign before sending them out, you see.

Or something...

[floriduck]

87. The State Dem Party had to receive them

by March 18 or they are invalid. So all this debate is now old news and over. Whatever happens, happens.

[MineralMan]

88. OK. So people sent them in or they didn't.

I suppose we'll hear the results from Washington later today. I'll check them out later. I have to do some work.

[NuclearDem]

12. Sorry, forgot that caucuses are for Sanders supporters only.

I'm keeping this bookmarked for the next time a Sanders supporter complains about voter suppression.

[uppityperson]

13. WA allows people to participate in the caucus by mail. I got one of those and checked

it out with the state and am happy because those who can't go can still participate. I'm caucusing for Bernie, but doing it by mail is a good option.

I had no idea this was possible until I got this mail and have good other people about it that can't or would not attend in person. Thanks, Bill!

The mail was a letter from Bill and a form with nothing filled out. I could easily check the Bernie big, but decided to go in person.

Do you think all the Bernie ones should also be thrown out?

[Yallow]

14. Only Hillary People Got Them

If someone truly can't caucus use the form.

Every single registered Democrat didn't get them.

See a problem here?

[msanthrope]

17. What stopped the Bernie campaign from sending some out? nt

[DURHAM D]

80. The problem is the timing of the data theft.

The Clinton campaign did not yet have the data on "Leaning Sanders" loaded into Van so the Sanders campaign could not do a targeted mailing.

[NuclearDem]

19. Shocking, a campaign not helping its opposing campaign.

Do you guys really just need your hand held the entire primary or something?

[NanceGreggs]

26. Well, I'm calling it now.

Next primary - no amateurs!

[riversedge]

28. Oh sad and angry you!! Why didn't Bernie send out reminders??

[Renew Deal]

32. Yes, I see it

You're mad Bernie didn't think of it.

[suffragette]

38. I received one and, like Uppity, I'm caucusing for Sanders

I was for Obama last time, so it wouldn't be from previous Hillary support either.

[Yallow]

46. I Got A Reminder Text

Not a letter making it easy to "say" I can't attend.

[suffragette]

57. I have no problem with an honor system to allow people who can't attend

On the day of the caucus to still participate.

Not sure why I would receive one and you wouldn't.

Maybe gender or demographics?

If so, that still wouldn't necessarily advantage Hillary here.

Look at The Stranger's endorsements. Even though they endorsed both candidates, they noted all the women on their board endorsed Sanders.

[msongs]

40. see a problem here lol. ya, people who don't take advantage of legal voting methods lol nt

[Yallow]

48. It's Not Legal To Absentee Vote In Place Of Caucusing

Without a legitimate reason.

For some, rules do still apply.

[riversedge]

47. YOUR OP and not knowing the WA caucus rules are the problem.

[Yallow]

49. I Have Been Caucusing In WA For Years

"This form allows people who have schedule conflict due to religious observance or work, or a disability or illness to submit a caucus vote without attending."

And I don't have to lie, or hold my nose to vote.

[leftofcool]

60. No, just another conspiracy theory.

Good lord!

[NanceGreggs]

16. So Hillary reminding voters ...

... that under the rules of their state's caucus, they can still vote if they have a legitimate reason for not attending in person is - what? How is this "anything to win"?

Is she saying, "Fill out the form if you DON'T have a valid reason"?

What about Bernie supporters who file the form? Should they all be challenged as well?

Apparently the Surrogate Affidavit Form is perfectly acceptable UNDER THE RULES as they stand.

Tell me, are there ANY rules in any state that Bernie supporters don't want changed - from coin tosses in Iowa to calling for NY to be an open primary?

[RandySF]

18. Nothing stopped Bernie from sending them out, too.

[ChiciB1]

27. What Is Distressing On Top Of This Is How So Many Clinton

supporters always find a way to point the finger back to Bernie. If they don't SEE this for what it is, they never will.

I know what happened to my daughter and son here in FL so to me THIS is just another "way" they do things. It is what it is and keeping blinders on does help help in some way I guess.

[Lizzie Poppet]

34. "But...he could be just as much of an unprincipled shill as she is!"

They can't grasp that the fact that he isn't is a big part of the appeal...

[Yallow]

51. Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself

Bernie could have sold out.

Others did right?

The bigger the slime, the smaller the revolution.

Millions understand.

HRC fans, not so much....

[nenagh]

66. Well said..

Thank you

[riversedge]

52. Well, if the Bernie camp failed to mail them out--then the finger needs to be pointed at

Bernie camp. Instead, Hillary supporters get another Hit piece from a Bernie supporter who obviously does not know--the WA caucus rules.

[Yallow]

53. A Caucus Affadavit Is Not An Absentee Ballot

Rules.

[RandySF]

20. If you really want to go there.

We can talk about reports of people driving to New Hampshire trying to vote for Bernie.

[Yallow]

21. Read The Article

Did you?

[RandySF]

22. Nobody did anything wrong.

[riversedge]

29. Take your post down. You are looking more foolish each minute

[Renew Deal]

30. Questions for you

1. Is this process available to all Democratic voters?
2. How do you want to verify that people have a conflict? Police?
3. Why shouldn't people use this process if they have a conflict?

[hrmjustin]

33. What am I missing here? I just don't get what you are angry about.

[Yallow]

55. If Every Registered Dem Got Them I Would Have No Problem

That's not the way it worked.

There was lots of trouble even getting the vote builder for the Bernie folks here I heard from my district leaders.

They (The DNC) have an anchor on the scale.

I should have mentioned this in the op the vote builder problems.

[hrmjustin]

65. Don't the people have to request an absentee ballot?

It seems that Clinton's campaign took the initiative and mailed forms to her supporters. Why didn't Sanders do the same?

[all american girl]

72. Then your problem isn't with Hillary but Bernie. I'll even go so far as to say that

your problem is with the state Dems....but not Hillary. More Dems participating is a good thing.

[Buzz cook]

37. So get out the vote programs are bad?

This just good ground game politics.

[ReallyIAmAnOptimist]

39. The article is spot on...

... A lot of unqualified forms will go unchallenged.

I'll be looking to verify that two qualified forms are indeed in our precinct packet tomorrow (from neighbors who are working). If they're not there I'll be reporting that to the chair, and the voters.

Looking forward to Super Saturday!

[riversedge]

41. Many Bernie absentee causus ballots will go unchallenged also. So you have inside information and

--are willing to use it to benefit your candidate. Interesting.


................

[MFM008]

54. Im signed up with her

and I NEVER received such a thing. Didn't happen and I've donated so they would likely send me such a thing, We could vote by absentee that's it, quit trying to stir crap up.

[deathrind]

56. Well it is...

Her turn...

People keep forgetting this...




By hook or crook...

[RandySF]

58. What's it going to be around here?

People had trouble voting in Arizona and everyone on DU is understandably outraged. Washington Democratic Party tries to make it easier to participate and now we have more complaints. WTF?

[highprincipleswork]

59. I swear, the main question these days is how to actually effectively express your outrage!!!

I don't think the Democratic Party establishment or Corporatacrats are going to like the answer to that, either short-term or long-term.

[sufrommich]

62. Lol,what?

They're the same forms for Sanders voters too. Jesus,hysterical paranoia goes into high gear.

[NCTraveler]

63. This is continuing the Weaver theme of...

"I really don't know the rules of the Iowa caucus."

You should consider deleting this.

[DanTex]

64. LOL. So now Bernie fans want to suppress the vote.

[Jitter65]

67. It wasn't illegal, it was smart. Bernie could have done the same thing. Too busy holding those

Yougeeee events. Voters do have a responsibility to be informed, learn the rules, and get out and vote in time or mail their ballots in time. Campaigns are responsible for getting as much beneficial information as possible to their supporters.

[brooklynite]

69. Honestly, Sanders campaign doesn't seem to spend a lot of time on early voting at all...

...I'm not sure his staff is on their game.

[brooklynite]

68. Did you actually READ this piece before venting?

The opening of the letter encourages support for Hillary and says “There are two ways to stand up for Hillary: "1. vote by mail now, or 2. attend your caucus in person.” This plants the idea in mind that you can vote in the caucus without attending it. And this is the former President of the United States, pretty good authority.The following paragraph says "If you can’t make it to the caucus on March 26, because [of the conditions mentioned above] you can support Hillary right now" by filling out the Surrogate Affidavit form.

Cognitive psychology tells us that our minds tend to attach more strongly to ideas that enter first. The former President's letter therefore sets in place the notion of voting immediately by mail for Hillary. And it makes it easy to do so by providing the form. When they actually fill out the form, voters will have to claim a condition they might not have. But now they are inclined to vote. Perhaps they might fit those conditions a little bit, enough to talk themselves into it. And I think it's likely that some number of voters are annoyed by the caucus process in the first place. (Washington State also has a non-caucus vote, a non delegate, meaningless contest, just because there has already been pressure to move away from caucus voting.) A voter thinks, "Darn caucus. I have a right to vote, so I'm using this form that Bill and Hillary have so conveniently given me." It’s obvious that the Party does not have an enforcement mechanism for evaluating the truthfulness of surrogate voters. Cheating is easy when you have the form and encouragement in hand.

So, the factual reasons under which a surrogate ballot can be used are presented, but the armchair psychologist has decided that the intent is to "plant" the idea that it can be used otherwise. I'm amazed that he didn't claim that this was influencing behavior by being labeled as coming from "President" Clinton.

[brooklynite]

70. I'll bet the Sanders Campaign expresses OUTRAGE at Clinton for this promotion of surrogate forms

If you are working that day and unable to attend the precinct caucus, you can get a form allowing someone else to vote for you.

http://washingtonforberniesanders.com/how-to-become-a-delegate-for-bernie-sanders

Never mind.

[Hoyt]

77. Sounds like absentee ballots that have been around for decades.

[upaloopa]

78. Many of us in CA will vote by mail do you want to come here and challenge all of us?

The more people have access to voting the better. There is nothing sacred about going to the polls! If I remember correctly the repubs caucused on line in ID or UT.

Imagine if all Bernie folks would have voted by mail in AZ he instead of waiting in line, he may have won.

[KellyW]

79. OK, let’s everyone calm down.

This is something I actually know a lot about. I have been on the WA Dems State committee that drafts our delegate selection rules for decades. Some here may remember me as a long term campaigner to ditch the caucus in favor of the presidential primary that WA holds, but our party doesn’t use.

We expanded the use of surrogate affidavits this year. IIRC, in the past a Democratic voter had to “request” a surrogate affidavit form from the state party. The main resistance to allowing wide use of surrogate affidavits over the years has been the fear that campaigns would do exactly what HRC has, preprint the form and mass mail them.

My wife received one of these forms from the HRC campaign. I looked at this mailing and sighed. I had mailed my daughters surrogate affidavit a few days earlier. She is a student and attends university on the other side of the state. BTW, the surrogate affidavit does not say that “school” is a valid reason to use it. I joked to her that I could have put her affidavit (for Bernie) in the HRC envelope so her campaign could have paid the postage.

But, lest anyone think that the HRC campaign was so smart, and the Bernie campaign so deficient –HRC blew this one, at least in the case of my household. The surrogate affidavit needed to be returned to the state party not later than March 18th – the mailing from HRC arrived to us way too late to get mail back to Seattle in time.

[MineralMan]

86. I see. Didn't Bernie's campaign send those out, too?

If not, why not? People decide for themselves whether they can or cannot attend caucus meetings. There is no verification process for such surrogate votes.

Maybe Bernie's campaign should have done the same thing. Maybe it did. Do you know?