Election Officials in Ohio Question Obama Poll Monitoring Tactics

[Algorem]

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/03/04/ohio_elections_official_questi.html

By Matthew Mosk
Ohio elections officials received complaints this morning from official poll workers about efforts by supporters of Democrat Barack Obama to serve as "legal poll monitors" who would be allowed to camp inside the voting stations.

Obama supporters have presented elections officials with a letter on campaign stationary signed by the senator's Ohio State Director, Paul Tewes, which says, "The bearer of this letter is hereby authorized to serve as a legal poll monitor on behalf of the Obama campaign."

David M. Farrell, the state's Director of Elections said in an interview that while Ohio does allow campaign supporters to serve as official observers in the polling stations, the Obama letters do not follow the established procedures for doing that. In fact, to be allowed access to the polling station as an official observer, a campaign's supporter would have to register with an election judge and be given an official certificate.

"In order to gain access to a polling location for a prolonged period of time, the law recognizes there is a process by which a campaign can appoint people to be an observers," Farrell said. "We just wanted to make sure our officials knew, if someone has an observer certificate, go ahead, admit them. On the other hand, if someone hands a letter saying I am a monitor, that's not's sufficient."...

[leftofcool]

1. It's on MSNBC right now

[tabatha]

2. interesting legal question

"The secretary of state is wrong on the facts," Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said. "We are correctly credentialed and are calling now to correct any misunderstanding to the contrary."

[monmouth]

3. Is Ohio afraid of being observed???. Good on the Obama people..n/t

[keep_it_real]

4. Probably just a mis-understanding somewhere

[DURHAM D]

5. In the comments section - Obama cheating in Texas is even more interesting. eom

[DURHAM D]

6. Looks like Obama campaign trying to change Ohio rules.

A campaign can not certify observers in this manner - seems like the Obama campaign skipped a step.