The 17th precinct in Grand Rapids, Michigan has faced more troubles today than any other area in our metropolitan area. It irks me to no end that this happens to be the most heavily black precinct.
While most other precincts have had to wait no more than an hour to vote, these voters are standing in line for more than 3 hours. I am proud to say that so far only one voter has allowed the long wait to deter them from casting their ballot in this historic election. The mayor has finally admitted that there are problems there...and this was mid-day. I'd hate to see the crush after 5pm!
Now, to top everything off, the Republican Party is challenging all kinds of votes in this precinct because of address changes.
The Republican Party is challenging a number of ballots today because some of the registrations are not matching with addresses.
The African-American turnout in this city is tremendous! There are so many first-time voters here (my big brother included) that it pains me to think their first experience at democracy will be in battling being disenfranchised.
I guess the repugs want to win Michigan any way they can.
Woodtv 8 reports
UPDATE: I spoke with a lovely woman at the Obama headquarters here about the problem. She said she would contact the worker(s) they have at that precinct.
UPDATE 2: I just got off the phone with my big bro (who was turned away without mention of a provisional ballot!). I told him to dig out his student id and to go back. He's even more fired up now and didn't even make a single complaint about having to go and stand in line for three hours AGAIN!