Some students report discrepancies among polling locations
CU students who filled out provisional ballots on campus may not have their vote counted because they lacked the correct identification, said election poll watchers Tuesday.
Congress requires that provisional ballots be made available through the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Provisional ballots, which are different from regular ballots, are used for voters who do not have sufficient identification, and are later checked by election officials to see if the provisional voter’s registration status is valid, according to Colorado Secretary of State Gigi Dennis.
>> Students on the issues:
“I thought (Amendment 42) would probably hurt small businesses, but in general, large corporations can afford (a minimum wage increase).”
Freshman Angie Rovak, an English literature major, who said she voted yes on Amendment 42, Amendment 44 and Referendum I.
“I voted yes because legalization is good because it’s a healthy alternative to alcohol. I have smoked pot for three years. I drink too. I like them both.”
Freshman engineer major Scott Volk, who only voted on one ballot issue: Amendment 44.
“This is my first time voting, but I think the whole process went well.”
Freshman pre-journalism major David Mirabella, who said it took him an hour to wait in line and vote in Libby Hall. He voted no on Amendment 42, no on Amendment 44, yes on Amendment 43 and yes on Referendum I.
“I would like to see more people have more jobs. We have enough homeless people in Boulder as it is.”
Freshman open-option major Nathan Wright, who said he voted no on Amendment 42.
“Hundreds of these provisional ballots will not be counted,” said Cary Lacklen, a Democratic poll watcher at CU. “It concerns me for the viability of democracy.”
CU sophomore George Coleman, an environmental studies major, said he had to fill out a provisional ballot because the address on his license did not match up with his current address.
Coleman said he knows his ballot might not be counted if he does not show proper identification.
“I (only) want to vote yes on Amendment 44,” Coleman said.
Lacklen watched the polls in Libby Hall and said he has seen judges at the election booths allow students with improper identification to vote on a regular ballot.
A student provided a driver’s license from Michigan, and the judge let the person vote on a regular ballot because his picture matched up, Lacklen said.
Judges and poll watchers told students to run to the Regent Administration Building to fill out an identification form that would allow them to vote, Lacklen said.
That is the only way their provisional ballots will be counted if they do not have other identification, he said.
“Provisional ballots give people a false illusion that they are actually voting,” Lacklen said.
