March 04, 2008
Caution
COLUMBUS -- Voting is reported to be steady and smooth in Ohio today, despite cold rain and ice in some places. But Hillary Clinton's campaign has thrown a few caution flags over what it says are reports of inappropriate behavior by Barack Obama's poll watchers.
Clinton's state director Robby Mook said in a statement that the campaign has "heard troubling reports of irregularities and inappropriate behavior by Sen. Obama's campaign across the state." Specifically, Mook pointed to a certified Obama poll watcher being removed by a presiding judge in Akron for "aggressively challenging voters." Mook also said he's heard "numerous reports that Obama poll watchers have been reprimanded after wearing campaign paraphernalia" at polling locations in Cincinnati.
Gov. Ted Strickland, speaking with reporters at Clinton's state headquarters, said the campaign has "gotten some reports that concern us" in parts of the state. "But I know Ohio well, and I know the people of Ohio well, and I think the people will insist that those who come to the polling places be treated respectfully, and that they be allowed to register their choice," he said.
Without referring to any of the Clinton camp's specific claims, the Obama camp released a statement from state director Paul Tewes saying that the campaign's goal "is to ensure that any registered voter in the state of Ohio can go to the polls and cast their ballot for their candidate of choice without interference. We understand that the Clinton campaign may want to depress turnout because Barack Obama has closed a 20-point gap over the course of this month as voters across the state got to know him."
(NBC/NJ's MIKE MEMOLI)
The statement went on to say that the campaign has heard reports that Republican and independent voters who asked for a Democratic ballot received Republican or issue-only ballots "instead of the Democratic ballot they were entitled to," and also that some voter ID requirements were "misstated" at certain locations, causing voters to be turned away.
Patrick Gallaway, communications director for Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, said he hadn't heard of any major problems, but that, based on what Clinton's campaign is claiming, "It sounds like the presiding judges are doing their job." Brian Williams, director of the Summit County Board of Elections, said that he had heard of a precinct in Akron where an individual was speaking to voters, but that it had been resolved without incident. "If that's the incident that I'm aware of," he said of the Clinton camp's claim, "I think that's an overstatement. I would not characterize that as aggressively challenging voters."
Gallaway did say that there is concern about voting in certain counties that have been affected by flooding. In Jefferson County, the secretary of state's office has authorized alternative voting locations for those who are unable to reach their designated site because of flooding. They are on notice for other locations, as well.
At this time, both Strickland and Gallaway said that it does not appear that the state will extend voting hours beyond the 7:30 pm deadline. "No one will be deprived of the opportunity to vote if they in fact are in line at the closing hour," Strickland said.
Strickland, who has been one of Clinton's most prominent and active surrogates in the Buckeye State, said that he is confident HRC will carry the state today. "I think it may be very close, but she has consistently held her own over the last couple of weeks," he said. "In fact there is some indication that it's breaking her way here during these later hours. So I'm very optimistic."
Asked if Clinton should withdraw from the race if she does not carry the state, Strickland said that it would be a decision she would have to make, but he would recommend she press on. "I think every state, including the great state of Pennsylvania, has a right to express itself at the polls," he said. "And I for one will not stand by silently and see some people try to bully Sen. Clinton out of this race."
Posted at 03:17 PM
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