Gauntlet turns voters away”Well, Mom, time to run the gauntlet.” That’s what my 12-year-old daughter said as we approached George C. Marshall Elementary School on primary election day. Cars and trucks with banners, posters, bumper stickers and signs lined the bus circle. “Vote for -, county commissioner.” “Elect -” ” – for school board.” All the names that we’ve become so familiar with were waiting to greet us.
I turned onto the drive and quickly realized that so many of these familiar names were represented that there was no room left to park my car while I voted. The parking lot was filled. The bus circle was filled, both sides. A crowd of 50 people or more created a nearly impermeable wall in front of the doors. I squeezed my car into the last inch of parking, actually blocking part of the drive and headed for the building with my two daughters beside me. By the time we came within 5 feet of the walkway, the crowd moved toward us. “Keep your head down, don’t look at them, maybe they’ll let us by,” I muttered angrily. I was wrong. They closed in even though we refused to look their way.
We pushed rudely through the throng, ignoring the matchbooks and candy bars, and made it to the safety of the building. As I looked back through the doors, I complained (once again) that the pollsters had (once again) made it nearly impossible to vote. I also realized that citizens with handicaps could not have voted there. There was no parking within 50 yards of the school. This traditional election day crowd had effectively denied them access. Three people I spoke to nearly left without voting when they saw the crowd in front of the school. How many more did leave?
The practice of polling is outdated. Perhaps 150 years ago getting name recognition was more difficult. A smart politician needed presence at the polls to help get his/her name out. In today’s age of roadside signs, television coverage of debates, daily newspapers, radio ads and television ads, the name recognition is there. The last minute pitch is no longer necessary or even justified.
I am asking all public officials to consider changing legislation regarding polling outside of voting sites. The preferred solution would be banning the practice, but I am realistic enough to know that will never happen. Limiting the number of people allowed per candidate to one would help. Ensuring parking for handicapped voters is a must. Having pollsters park in the spaces farthest from the site is a reasonable accommodation for this problem. Please help protect our citizen’s right to vote by banning or limiting polling. Thank you for your consideration.
Candy Gordon
Mt. Braddock
Praise for supporters
Thanks to all who supported me in my 27 years of church ministry. I have many blessings to remember and all glory and honor goes to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jim Hickle
Uniontown