On Tuesday, I heeded the call of a friend and helped as an election clerk. It's been a long while since I've done something like that, and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I enjoyed joking at the Republicans' expense, but I enjoyed even more just helping, doing my small part.
Unfortunately, at least one person was forced to use a Republican ballot, and I'd like to suggest that everyone do more than vote and volunteer to be a clerk or poll watcher.
The problem that we witnessed was a problem of primary voting, where voters have to choose a party. In at least one person's case, the Republicans gave him a Republican ballot when they had not clarified the nature of the election or his party affiliation. Though an independent, he supported the Democratic candidates. After filling out the ballot, he realized that it was a Republican-only ballot and, without submitting the ballot, wanted a different ballot. The Republicans told him that, because he marked the ballot, that it had to be submitted (which isn't true since both parties "spoiled" several ballots) for counting.
The person complained to us, and chris recommended him to the appropriate people to complain, which he did. The Republicans attempted to dismiss his complaint as it happened to "two or three other people."
True, the person's vote in November is not affected, and that particular problem won't likely arise in November. But, folks, whether what the Republicans did in this instance was deliberate or ignorant, the obvious fact is that they need to be watched. Do not simply trust that the problems will be solved. Contact a candidate that you support or the Democratic party to find out how you can be a poll watcher, an election clerk, or help in some other way to ensure fair voting.