There are so many reasons that voters will be disenfranchised in this year's election - not on the rolls, not listed properly on the rolls, e-database debacles, didn't provide enough postage on absentee ballots, couldn't find correct polling place, got sick of standing in long lines, didn't provide "proper" ID, not enough ballots, voting machine errors, hanging chads, deliberate subterfuge and on and on and on....
With Obama so far ahead in the polls, it seems unthinkable that he won't win. However, it seemed unthinkable that GWB would win in 2000 and again in 2004!
Absentee ballots are rolling in, people are voting early in person - and by Oct 21, all but 2 of the eligible states will have early voting in person options.
With little over 2 weeks to go, what can we do? I wrote in a previous diary entry about putting pressure on local election officials. I plan to vote absentee and have been encouraging everyone I know to do the same - especially in light of reports that early voters have experienced voting machine chicanery - and most early voting in person options use the ever-so-reliable e-voting machines.
If people plan to vote on Election Day at the Polls, at a MINIMUM, please do the following in advance (read: first thing Monday morning). Contact your local election office to ensure that your name is listed correctly and you know your polling place location and what type of ID you might need to provide.
For Election Day itself, the more poll workers and poll monitors the better. Or get involved in a video the vote project, such as the PBS/YouTube effort. More to come on the effectiveness of using media to "record" the election - I believe the most effective means to hold people accountable for their actions is the threat to expose them!