We all know it's coming. It happens every election: voter intimidation by the Republican party. Even former Chief Justice Rehnquist got his start in politics by engaging in voter intimidation. This is a good time to start to strategize about how to counter the known intimidation methods and brainstorm about ways we can stop other possible methods that could be employed.
Let me suggest one idea that I believe can be easily put in place to make it less likely that people will be harrassed on their way to the polls.
-- more on the other side --
In the last presidential election, there were widespread reports of people confronting potential voters with video camera, clipboards, and official looking insignia. Can we counter that by insuring that there is someone at each precinct who is equipped with a video camera to record those who attempt this type of intimidation?
The idea is to get video of the people who are attempting the intimidation, including taking video of the vehicles, including license plates, in which they arrive/depart, closeups of their faces, and any other identifying features that could help in later investigations/prosecutions of the perpetrators.
Of course there are many other forms of intimidation we have to consider, including baseless challenges by poll watchers who are there simply to lengthen the wait so people will become discouraged and leave. How can we counter that, for example?
Please use this blog to contribute to the list of intimidation techniques and suggestions as to how we can counter them in an effective, organized way.