A little trouble in Big Shelby

Posted on by

The news reports out of Memphis and its surrounding area have gotten progressively worse since early voting started on Friday. Voters have recounted several problems at the polls.

The latest account is confessed by a self-described West Tennessee Liberal, and provides helpful maps and other data to show that the information shown on the ballot did not match any other official record.

When you vote, whether it’s early or on Election Day (August 2nd), please take note of what your choices are. If they don’t look right to you, don’t cast the ballot. [EDIT 7/18: A Shelby County Election Commissioner writes: "Voters should confirm their precinct and then verify that they have received the correct ballot by checking in the upper left hand side of the screen on the voting machine. If they do not have the correct ballot, they should not go forward by pushing any buttons, but rather should get the attention of the precinct officer. The officer can void that ballot and have another card made for the correct ballot right then."] [I maintain that you may also want to c]ontact your county election commission; and you may also contact me or another member of the press.

This is a serious issue, since not being offered the right ballot is, in some ways, tantamount to not being offered one at all.

UPDATE: Much more from blogger-turned-county commission candidate Steve Ross, via KnoxViews. And I should tip my hat for the Liberal post linked above to Steve Steffens.

UPDATE 2: Here are parts of a Twitter conversation that started after this post was published, in which some alternative viewpoints on the root of the problem are discussed.