Why Did RI Shut Down 66% of its Polling Stations?

Video reports from The Young Turks.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLqSpk99bLYISzbqzLP1r_4g8ZtCWzp2Zx&v=...

From the Bustle:

This year, the Rhode Island Board of Elections has decided to only open 144 of its 419 polling centers throughout the state, according to WPRI news. That means nearly two-thirds of the state's regular polling locations will be closed to voters on the ever-important Acela Primary. The board's director of elections, Robert Rapoza, told WPRI news that they made a similar cut to the polls in the state's March 2008 presidential primary. However, that same year, Rhode Island had a record voter turnout and voter primary participation grew 52 percent in just four years, between 2008 and 2012.

By closing 67 percent of its polling locations so soon before the primary, many voters could be misinformed of their new polling centers, which could make it more difficult for residents to vote for their favorite presidential candidate.

If voter turnout continues to grow this year, the lack of polling locations will likely have a negative impact on the Rhode Islanders' voting experience. For instance, longer lines and understaffed polling places could prevent some people from voting if they are stuck waiting in line or don't make it to one of the 144 polls by the 8 p.m. ET deadline. [...]

Common Cause Rhode Island, a nonpartisan organization that works to ensure honest and effective government processes, has argued that the Board of Election's decision to close 67 percent of its polling centers will negatively affect voters. “I don’t think enough has been done to make sure voters know that they likely won’t be casting their ballot at the same location as they did in November of 2014,” John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, told WPRI News. Marion also recommended that Rhode Island voters look at a sample ballot ahead of time, since voters will be tasked with voting for presidential candidates and local delegates at the primary.

Of particular concern are that many polling stations located on or near college campuses have been shut down, and many people have not been properly informed of these changes. For the record, the Governor of Rhode Island, Gina M. Raimondo, is a Clinton supporter. Latest Rhode Island polls show Sanders leading Clinton by 4 percentage points.

Share
up
0 users have voted.

Comments

Wow, that's raw. More voter suppression. This does not bode well for Democracy.

up
0 users have voted.
Pricknick's picture

democracy?
I haven't seen it for years.

up
0 users have voted.

Regardless of the path in life I chose, I realize it's always forward, never straight.

Maybe we left it at the desk in the library, or maybe at the check-out when we were writing a check.

Jeez i hate it when we misplace important stuff like that. We should pay more attention.

up
0 users have voted.

21st Century America: The distracted, superficail perception of a virtual reality.

ZimInSeattle's picture

denied their coronation.

up
0 users have voted.

"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." - JFK | "The more I see of the moneyed peoples, the more I understand the guillotine." - G. B. Shaw Bernie/Tulsi 2020

don't be coy, you know why.

up
0 users have voted.

With their hearts they turned to each others heart for refuge
In troubled years that came before the deluge
*Jackson Browne, 1974, Before the Deluge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SX-HFcSIoU

She will have as much claim as Bush to the job.

up
0 users have voted.

"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

I mean, Dem Governor engage in voter suppression tactics!?! College town polls considered too expensive maybe?

Subject Line was only half snarky. Not watching infomedia much these days. The corporate script is only going to get worse, unless everyone in CA says "F*&^ this S^&*, we're ALL voting for Bernie".

I'm reasonable sure one of you good souls will alert if that happens. ;}

PS: Already have the $27 set back for tomorrow night. (that part always feels good, regardless of vote count).

up
0 users have voted.

21st Century America: The distracted, superficail perception of a virtual reality.

GreatLakeSailor's picture

More NeoLiberal Fuckery.

up
0 users have voted.

Compensated Spokes Model for Big Poor.

Zinman's picture

Three times is enemy action." (Ian Fleming and others)

Massively shutting down as many polling locations as possible, while restricting resources at each remaining polling place to less than what will accommodate the number of voters assigned to it, is a new tactic by the Repubs.

Recently, Arizona was the worst example of this tactic, and probably the most egregious from a PR standpoint for the perpetrators of voter disenfranchisement aimed at poor and minority voters. But that doesn't mean they won't keep doing it. As long as it works for them, we will see more of it.

Spoken plainly: Controlling who votes controls who wins.

We need to develop a plan to counter disenfranchisement of the poor and minorities. One way to do this is to implement Vote-by-Mail in as many States as we can. If everyone votes by mail, nobody is stuck standing in 100 degree heat for half a day waiting to vote.

up
0 users have voted.

Be a Friend of the Earth, cherish it and protect it.

Tbug's picture

when it comes to voter suppression. After watching this election season, I have no doubt that the Democratic establishment is just as bad as the Republicans. Greg Palast has reported on this subject for a long time and has mentioned that the Democrats have been complicit. I just didn't think they were this bad. My eyes have been opened. I don't think I will ever vote for party affiliation ever again.

up
0 users have voted.

A moment of truth for real liberals who have voted Democratic all their lives is coming soon. If Hillary gets the nomination the Democratic Party loses and the Greens win.

up
0 users have voted.

Beware the bullshit factories.

featheredsprite's picture

Difficult but possible.

On the other hand, this whole Bernie campaign has been difficult. Hard work hasn't stopped us so far. Why would it stop us later?

up
0 users have voted.

Life is strong. I'm weak, but Life is strong.

Aardvark's picture

is a Republican. She made her money on Wall Street.

That being said, Rhode Island has a track record of corrupt government and a somnolent populace.

The Sanders campaign needs to transport by vehicle people to the correct polling station.

On the other hand, Rhode Island has the Cool Moose Party, which I believe consists of one person, Robert Healey Jr. Mr. Healey ran for governor in several elections. Then he ran for Lieutenant Governor with the promise to abolish that office.

Rhode Island has not been traditionally a progressive place. It is not reactionary, more like every day is the last day of summer vacation. Most of the residents of the state live within five miles of over 400 miles of coastline.

The beach calls you, that ocean's siren song echoing over the hideous cacophany of the stripmalls, the poor triple-deckers of worn-out cities. Even if you live in the woods, on a hot summer day, in the dead of winter, you can taste it with Thanksgiving, you can hear it on New Year's Eve, every night it rocks you as you sleep.

Especially if you have a waterbed.

Peace and love be with you, reader.

up
0 users have voted.
janis b's picture

This kind of mischief only solidifies my indignation. I hope that all those college students are antagonised enough to find the available polling places to make their stand. Isn't it close to exam time, though? Damn!

up
0 users have voted.
stevej's picture

oozes from Team Clinton and the establishment in general.

We may win the odd battle but we are not going to win the war playing by their ever changing rule book - of that I am now convinced.

Edited for spelling

up
0 users have voted.

“To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.” -Voltaire

ChemBob's picture

...for the guillotines yet? I'm envisioning laser blades rather than Wilkinson steel. Investors? LOL. Seriously this is not fucking funny and it is not only undemocratic it is anti-democratic. Have you noticed how they've employed a litany of different tactics to try to quell Sanders rise? Could somebody make a list? I have to go teach class and am having a major surgery on Thursday (reverse shoulder replacement).

up
0 users have voted.
dance you monster's picture

. . . that younger voters tend to use polling stations and older voters dominate absentee voting that requires no such stations. Which group favors which candidate, again? Also nothing more than coincidence that the RI powers in the party -- the sorts of people who decide whether polling stations are needed -- weigh heavily in favor of one candidate:

http://wpri.com/2016/02/24/all-9-ri-superdelegates-back-clinton-as-presi...

up
0 users have voted.
Citizen Of Earth's picture

Submitted Apr 11 and it won't affect today's primary but maybe the general election in Nov.
Sen. Steve Cassano, (D-Manchester) appears to be the lead proponent (he looks like a real piece of work from the photo haha). They are citing $$$ savings as the key driver. And there is no mitigation plan aside from sending voters to another existing location.
http://ctmirror.org/2016/04/11/bill-to-allow-fewer-polling-places-in-pri...

On the RI closures, closing polls near universities will be a huge suppressor. Many students don't have cars. So then to vote, they have to find public transportation and deal with its schedules. Plus longer lines when they get there.

Starting to think neither party really wants people to vote.

up
0 users have voted.

Donnie The #ShitHole Douchebag. Fake Friend to the Working Class. Real Asshole.

Common Cause Rhode Island, a nonpartisan organization that works to ensure honest and effective government processes, has argued that the Board of Election's decision to close 67 percent of its polling centers will negatively affect voters.

What the hell does this have to be "argued"??? I have never seen such in-your-face-voter-suppression like this before. And it's stemming from the democrat party. Oh, and the governor of RI..

Gina Marie Raimondo (born May 17, 1971) is an American politician, businesswoman, venture capitalist, and the 75th Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Raimondo, is a member of the Democratic Party,

up
0 users have voted.

When I hear it coming from someone in the Regressive Party*, I want to slap them with a 3-day-dead mackeral. When I hear it coming from someone who obviously is not a Regressive, it evokes a wince. "Democrat" is not an adjective.

* What? Isn't that what the "R" stands for? Actually, it should be R cubed; Radical, Racist, Regressive Party.

up
0 users have voted.
Steven D's picture

Maybe we should call the Republican Party 1A.

up
0 users have voted.

"You can't just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution."---Tyree Scott

Citizen Of Earth's picture

Truth in advertising and all...

up
0 users have voted.

Donnie The #ShitHole Douchebag. Fake Friend to the Working Class. Real Asshole.

but that's the way I feel about the rotten bastards anymore...and yes, democrat party was intentional...

up
0 users have voted.

up
0 users have voted.

Beware the bullshit factories.

Alphalop's picture

I expect this kind of garbage from our opponents. but from those that are supposed to be on our side?

Fuck Em...

I have NEVER been as disgusted with our political process as I am right this minute. (And that is saying something.)

up
0 users have voted.

"I used to vote Republican & Democrat, I also used to shit my pants. Eventually I got smart enough to stop doing both things." -Me

It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, but I'm guessing it might affect youth turnout. My polling place is normally half a mile away from my home, but for the primary it switched to an obscure location much further away. The relatively large parking lot at the polling place was packed and the street outside is so narrow that only two cars can pass at a time, meaning that there's no accessible street parking. I ended up waiting 30 minutes or so to cast my ballot after parking a few blocks away and walking in the cold (low 40s) and rainy weather. Anyone that lives off-campus on the East side of Providence probably has to deal with similar circumstances due to these closures.

up
0 users have voted.
thrownstone's picture

up
0 users have voted.

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” Voltaire