along Walnut Creek

Received these emails yesterday:

• October 30 10:45am from David Reeve with forward from Eric Opiela that confirms Republican Party of Texas coordinating the “Ballot Integrity Task Force”. Attachements:
  • Ballot Integrity Task Force Guide
  • Election Code Chapter 33
  • Secretary of State stuff.
• October 30 11:02am from David Reeve with forward from Eric Opiela clarifying new cell phone regulations.

• Voice Mail Invitation
• [Update 1:37pm] Recording of Training Session 10/28/06 109MB (Big) .WAV File Format. Mp3 to follow.
• [Update 1:37pm] Handout from Class with written notes (by me)
• [Update 1:46pm] MP3 version of Recording of Training Session 10/28/06 15MB .mp3 File Format. Oops. Only 16 minutes long. Don’t use
• [Update 10/29/06 4:20pm] KUT Radio story by Ben Philpott from last week. http://www.kut.org/items/show/6094
• [Update 10/31/06 8:20am] Transcript in Easy to Read Word DOC or separate HTML

Here it is folks!! The transcript (or what I’ve got so far. [Update 10/30 4:51pm Now Complete]

Return to this page for updates as it’s definitely a work in progress. It’s taken 16 hours to transcribe this.:

0:00
[Mike Conwell] Saturday Morning, 7801 N Lamar, It’s October 28th, I believe, for a 10am training of election judges at the Republican, Travis County Republican Party. This is Mike Conwell, M I K E C O N (as in Nancy) W E L L

1:55
(Exits Car)

2:29
Entering Travis County Republican Office. David Reeve at front of room. The room is the lobby or open space when first entering the office. A dozen stackable chairs are facing the far wall. GOP Candidate yard signs are stacked up on the left side of the room/hallway, and shelves on the right are stacked with bumber stickers for each candidate and some campaign literature. One staff member and nine judges present, including myself. I sign in with my correct name, home number and gmail email address. David Reeve, who will be leading the class is facing us from the front. He is wearing a white shirt with something on it, I believe it’s the “No Blue Dot” logo.

3:25
[David Reeve] …and when the class is over, it’ll take what 45 minutes at the most, you’ll want to take one of these ________

3:53
[Mike] Howdy. I sit down in last row, with another judge, the only one who appears to be younger than me. Probably early thirties.

4:52
[David] _____, when you get a chance, c’mon in. Gary, you can stay out back, there.

5:37
[David] We might as well get started folks. …here’s one for you sir, one for you… [Mike] Thank You

6:08
[David] There’s one or two announcements before we get started. (indicating flyer for municipal bond propositions that refer to Republican Party opposition to same bonds) There’s a group called {(inaudible)} probably this weekcnd. We didn’t have a chance to respond to it, and our response will come to you {(inaudible)} probably monday. But it’s effectively attacking the Republicans, Travis County Republican Party, for not supporting the bonds that are coming up, and the various {(inaudible)} ..you might see that hitting the airwaves this weekend {(inaudible)}

7:18
[David] Before we get started, one story. This class caused so much trouble, you wouldn’t believe. (inaudible) Democrats weren’t included in the class. Why would the Republicans pay me to teach Democrats? It doesn’t make sense. I don’t know what is in their head. Maybe a Karl Rove conspiracy to steal the election. They even called the Secretary of State to find out if we needed (inaudible) for this course.

7:47
[David] I had to tell one woman, that was threatening “Well, I’m just going to come down there and sit in and you can’t stop me.” [I Said] “Well you know, this is private property.” [She Responded] “Are you threatening me?” [I Said] “No, I’m just stating facts. If you’ve got the time… give me a break.”

8:06
[David] But uh, the news media got involved. Sally was interviewed by a journalist, uh I can’t think of which one. Alan [Sager] was uh uh on air (inaudible) with NPR (inaudible) and (inaudible) Sally (inaudible) and uh I don’t really see that this time, I was (inaudible) (prudent?) (inaudible) I thought we were going to have some infiltrators, I really did, not that I care one way or another. I mean we’re not doing anything illegal, but. Caused all kinds of trouble.

[Female Judge 2] (inaudible)

[David] I think so. (inaudible)

8:43
[David] Ok, let’s get started on this. Ahh.. first page, kind of explains what it is all about. [I'm] a friend of Sager’s. [He] decided he needed, wanted to do this about a month ago. And [he] directed Sally to set it up and organize it. And she brought me on to implement the training and organization. Uh, the story if you read that first page. I have my telephone number and email address at the bottom.

9:11
[David] Historically voting irregularities, and that’s what I like to call it, I don’t like to use voting fraud, occur on Election Day most often involve issues of voter identification, especially concerning Provisional Voting. And we’ll go over a little bit about that. And we’ll probably go over this business(?), and I’ll give you some examples, a little later in this class. So that’s why we’re having this. Y’all are experienced, I know that, so… half of you have been doing this longer than I have, it’s just a review, (inaudible) give you some stuff to look for. A little bit of intel that we know, (inaudible) cprior to the election. Let’s go the next page.

9:49
[David] … is a “cheat sheet” on Provisional Voting, (inaudible) I know that. Today’s class (inaudible) know what I’m saying? (inaudible) this gives you a quick line by line of how it’s uh, how it’s supposed to be done. What the appropriate,..

Note: The phrase “cheat sheet” is written on the document he was reading from.

10:01
[David] The next page is kind of uh, I’m sorry, not the next page. What kind of, page after that (inaudible) I got them out of sequence. A quick summary of voter, uh .. Provisional Voting process. What kinds of things constitute a valid ID.

10:18
[David] One thing we have done and we’ve implemented before, it’s about the fourth page I think, it’s a “Quick Summary of the Provisional Voting Process” If you look down at the very bottom, it’s got some telephone numbers there: Secretary of State, and the Republican Party of Texas. And we’ve actually gotten two attorneys, Joe Fulwiler and Roger Borgett have volunteered to be on call, if you have questions. About some kind of voting irregularities, if you see a person, or perceive or some kind of process, you can give these people a call. One thing I would encourage you to try first, the Republican Party of Texas. Because they’ve got (inaudible). Yes?

10:55
[Female Judge 1] Who is responsible (inaudible) person (inaudible) provisional (inaudible) form (inaudible)?

[David] The county*.

[FJ1] Why aren’t they (inaudible)

[David] (inaudible)

[FJ1] Yea, why? Because I always (inaudible)

[Male Judge 2] (inaudible) supposed to challenge that (inaudible) of (inaudible) two thirds (inaudible) election judge, including a Federal Judge, and this is part of that process. To keep us from making that decision.

[David] The thing about this (inaudible) the actual (inaudible) Help America Vote Act. The legislation past in 2001.

[FJ1] (inaudible)

[MJ2] (inaudible) to the voter, and not to the process.

[David] Correct, exactly. And we’re going to cover portions of that.

* County refers to the Elections Division of the Travis County Clerk’s Office.

11:44
[David] Anyway, going back to the telephone numbers. Joe Fulwiler and Roger Borgett. Roger used to be with the Attorney’s General office. Call him (inaudible)

12:01
[David] …and on the next page, exceptable forms of uh uh personal identification (inaudible) regular voters. And you’ll notice the last four are in italics** These items, they don’t have a photographic ID. And when we get voting irregularities, that’s where you’re going to get it. (inaudible) If you think about it, how easy is it to scan a government document, like a letter from the Veteran’s Administration, go in and replace the name and address with somebody elses. Bingo. They’ve got an ID to vote. So if it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. Probably in one of those areas. Look at those (inaudible) I know you’ve all been through the training (inaudible) just wanted too…

[MJ3] Can we ask them about their, to verify their birthday, or their addresss?

[David] You have to accept the documents that they give you.

[MJ3] I mean, will we have to ask them about their address (inaudible) their IDs (inaudible) or whatever.

[David] We’re coming up on this.

13:09
[David] (inaudible)… they’ve got this out of sequence. Go back a couple of pages to see one that says Suspense Voting. If you notice, this area that voter irregularities that are uh estimated that … it’s estimated that a 100,000 people are out of towners (inaudible) when… that are suspense voters. A suspense voter is someone who walks in to the precinct and says “I’m registered to vote here, but I now live at such and such.” Now, by law, what they have to do, they have to, have to put their new address, uh, where the sign in. In the past that hasn’t been happening. They’ll just come in and declare it, and of course, they’ll just let ‘em go vote. That’s one of the things we want to let y’all to look out for. There’s lots of people out there who might be trying it, and make sure they write down what their address is (inaudible) and we try and keep them (inaudible) and if we find people that are, uh, using lost addresses (inaudible) we ii will prosecute (inaudible) he intends to prosecute.

I’ve got a call in right now, I couldn’t get a clear read on it. What kind of ID the suspense voter has to provide that shows the new address.

[MJ1] Can we go back to that? Uh, the voter registration form, they do not indicate that. (inaudible) form where you fill out the change of address, is a sworn form, so that would be acceptable.

[David] That would be acceptable, correct

[MJ1] Yeah

[David] It’s less that, then it is, uh (inaudible) it’s less that, sir, than someone who just walks in and shows you a, uh, a change of address (inaudible) or something like that. “I don’t live here any more, I live here, but I want to vote for (inaudible)“

15:04
[MJ1] Well, that or if they’ve got, if they did move then they get a phone call. They just tell us to call downtown, because, some ballots, no matter what, if you’ve moved out of your political jurisdiction, you can’t vote in that jurisdiction.

(inaudible) (between David and Male Judge #1)

15:18
[FJ1] Yea, that’s a new thing that they’ve said is that every voter that fills out a change of uh…

[MJ1] Statement of Residence?

[FJ1] Statement of Residence, you have to call.

[David] Good, that’s great.

[FJ1] in other words, (inaudible), I’ve got the understanding that that was a requirement.

[MJ1] Well see that’s one of those, people call ‘em, uh, the fail safe voters. In otherwords you’ve got to take a paper ballot, and anything on a paper ballot, and (inaudible) and it has to be voted on paper. You can’t vote electronically.

[David] I’m sensing that this, I think there is a disconnect between the county (inaudible) the county (inaudible) is a lot closer (inaudible) parties (inaudible) and we might as well skip this media crap, and that is (inaudible)…

16:23
[David] …(inaudible) I have it on very good authority that, Glen Maxey who was a [candidate for the State Chair] (inaudible) immense power (inaudible) running for State Chair of the Democratic Party. Anyway, he’s going to (sigh) try to flood some of the precincts with Poll Watchers and provisional voters. And then, folks(?) number one, poll watchers are to make excessive challenges to delay the voting process.

16:58
[David] What he wants to do is, to delay things. And they’re going to go to predominantly Republican precincts to do this. These poll watchers will… get in the ways, try to slow things down in an attempt to, they want to, people to be, uh, frustrated. Especially in the morning, and at lunch, when people are taking the time off from work to vote. It can’t be (less?) (inaudible) and also, uh, the next one, sending large numbers of provisional voters to delay the process. Same thing. The intent is to slow things down.

17:36
[David] Now in some other areas. Sending large numbers of provisional voters as a distraction. The intent there is to slip people in, into the process. People who vote with (inaudible) with false identification. They get ‘em in there.

17:52
[MJ2] (inaudible) it seems to me that it’s the judges that would be in charge of that. And so, the process could continue, and anybody who wants to vote (inaudible) won’t have to be in this separate line. (inaudible)

18:06
[David] What time is it?…(inaudible) What happens if there is 25 people, standing around, talking, wanting to vote provisionally. That can be pretty disruptive, especially if you’ve got a relatively limited area.

[MJ2] Yea, i know what you mean

[David] Now I understand, some of your

[MJ2] Well, that would be a obvious situation. So who should we call if that (inaudible) to come down and straighten things out.

[David] Call the county, first.

[MJ2] Just call the county, all right.

[David] Call the county, first. (inaudible) if you don’t get action from the county, call the Republican Party of Texas and ask for legal assistance. But call the county first.

18:36
[Male Judge 3] … you could separate the (inaudible) or whatever with all of the provisional people, you know. With the line over here.

[David] What they did in 2004, they took the provisional voters, they took the poll watchers, (inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible) verbally disruptive voters to gain (inaudible) and distract the election judge. We had a couple instances of that.

19:00
[David] Some big hulking guy, coming in wearing a “John Kerry” t-shirt or badge, and just giving the person a really hard time about (inaudible) “freedom of speech!” “You can’t make me do this!” “I refuse!” Long enough to call the sheriff. “Call the dang sheriff!” Meanwhile, things are happening. Keep an eye on that. Minneapolis. …(inaudible) to distract. It didn’t happen a lot of times, but it did happen. And once again, it’s mostly on the provisional vote and on the suspense voter. Alan [Sager] is really heavy on the suspense voting. Mostly it’s on the provisional voting, and on (inaudible)

19:39
[David] And this next one, uh, voter, oh. You know what I really like is voters without photographic ID. This is where dead people vote. And that (inaudible), they’ll actually go through the obits a head of time. Find out who has died recently, and then they find out if they’re a registered voter. Find out where they live, and go vote for them. Now it happens a lot in early voting. Not so much on election day. They’ll go in there, “Yea, I’m John Jones. Here, here’s my letter for ID.” And they’ll vote John Jones because he knows they’re dead. (inaudible)

20:13
[David] Next, (inaudible)

[Male Judge 4] Excuse me. And when you ask for voter ID, they don’t have to have a photograph?

[David] No. That’s it

[Male Judge 4] Well that would be my question. Well, how do I know this guy that says I’m so and so.

[David] That’s it. They hand you a utility bill that says John Doe on it, and you’ve got to accept it.

[MJ2] That’s why democrats don’t want anybody else but true (inaudible)…

[MJ4] And I don’t know whether it’s John Doe, Joe Blow, or…

[David] … (inaudible) I don’t understand why they don’t (inaudible) I’m all for photo ID (inaudible)…

[MJ2] …so, I mean, we’re, we’re not allowed to ask them about their address or mistakenly read the address from the line below.

[David] You can look at it, and you can question them a little bit. But you can’t question them too much. The best thing that I would suggest is to call the county. If you have any kind of questions, call the county and ask them. (inaudible) if those (inaudible) we’ll be watching. A lot of that…

21:09
[David] And I think that’s one of the reasons why this particular class has gotten so much attention from the Democrats. They’re suddenly going “Hey! They’re watching us.”

[David] And anytime you have any kind of question, call the county and let them (inaudible) resolve (inaudible). Even if the vote gets through, at least they’ll know, our eyes are on them.

21:27
[MJ1] We’re talking about letters and things. I’m only dealing with originals, I’m not dealing with copies. You mentioned before that you can do a photocopy, I deal with originals. (inaudible) to deal with originals, I’m not required to deal with photocopies.

[David] You know what? (writing notes on to clipboard) May I take a check (inaudible) a little (inaudible)

[MJ1] Check on that

[Mike] Yea, that’s a good one, too.

[MJ2] usually originals have some color. Of course you got color photocopiers, but ah, originals look original.

[David] (inaudible)…that’s a good question.

[MJ2] …probably all slick…

22:11
[David] …(inaudible)… (phone rings) (inaudible) I actually had some (inaudible) and two questions in the last class, that tend to be (inaudible) (inaudible) on this very last page. (inaudible)… and whether or not a poll watcher can watch a personal assistant, uh, vote. Anyone know the answer to that? (inaudible)

[MJ4] …(inaudible)…

22:50
[David] I did skip one. Voters assistant inappropriately aiding a voter. You usually see this with senior citizens. A lot of times …(inaudible) they’ll go in there and uh, it (inaudible) go, they’ll take the voter back there and say “okay, this is how you vote straight republican.” They’re going to do it. First ask them how to vote straight democrat, then show them how to vote straight democrat. Or (inaudible) “how do I vote for Governor Chris Bell.” “Up here, press this one.” And often times, with hispanics, they’ll do it too. A county like that (inaudible) is a most dangerous (inaudible).

23:39
[MJ4] I’ve got a question. Has anybody here worked the East box? Precincts (inaudible).

[David] I’ve have some folks who have, yes.

[MJ1] I was East.

[David] Yes sir.

(inaudible) conversation between MJ2 and MJ4

24:00
[MJ4] Well, I find a lot of irregularities, and I’ve worked the East boxes (inaudible). I’ve asked because, I know a lot of people in that area.

[David] Yes.

[MJ4] And they’ve moved me from the boxes that I wanted to work at. It’s mostly my neighborhoods. And there’s about three or four of those boxes, that I pretty well know at least half of the voters that go there. But before I started working those boxes, when I went to vote. I saw some real, uh, outlandish (inaudible) and I worked in a box where the election judge would say “Oh you do this right here. C’mon and vote right here.”

24:45
[David] Mext page (inaudible) you see something that looks really [odd?] Fill one of these out and document it. (Indicates “Voting Irregularity Complaint Form” to be submitted to Republican County Office)

[MJ4] Well I hate, that’s not the real problem. One time I’m, uh, I’m working and I, I went outside to check on some people and I come back in, and there’s a voter, uh, basically he’s arguing with the other judge that was there from the Democratic party. But he was working the Republican case(>), and he was saying, “If you don’t have ID, well that’s all right. I know you. I’ve known you for a long time. I’ve worked here, I’ve worked this box for years.” And I walked in and I said, finally, “Well you don’t have no ID.” And he said, he forced me to let him vote. He told me, “let him vote, I know him.” And I said, “I know him also, but he hasn’t got any type of ID with him.”

26:45
[David] Well, (inaudible). That’s what Reagan said. “Trust, but verify”

[Mike] (Direct to MJ4, covering up David’s talk.) That got fixed with HAVA, though. That got fixed with HAVA, because the election judges used to be able to pencil in that they know somebody. You know, they recognize them (inaudible) it’s…

[David] …actually, I’ve seen it, I’ve heard of it happening. It happened in 2004 and…

[Mike] ….wow. Yea, it’s not supposed to…

[David] …it’s not supposed to, yea, I know, but you know. If there’s nobody there to watch them… (inaudible)

26:27
[FJ1] Here’s a… ask a question on this voter assistance. Some of y’all have already been to the election judge training. In the training where I was last week, they left .. and I didn’t get the chance, she cut it off before I got a chance to ask the question. Left me with the impression that someone who like, say, if my husband was voting here and I was voting here, he could come over and stick his head in and answer questions. Now you used to couldn’t do that? Could they?

[David] No, no.

[FJ1] But she… But I was left with the impression, that “That’s okay.”

27:02
[David] Could you get me, specifics, on who can… the reasons why somebody can be assisted? The specifics and …

[FJ1] Well that’s what I thought. I didn’t think there was any call to (inaudible) but you’re checking in the … did you ever hear of that, in the front row. Did you get that impression?

[MJ1] No. I didn’t get that.

(inaudible)

[FJ1] (inaudible) …I know, I know.

[FJ2] …it has to be asked for.

[FJ1] …but this was really, really… wierd.

[David] I’ll research that for you and get you specifics on how that can be handled.

27:37
[MJ1] There is one other question on assistance, that this lady just brought up. I asked this specific question yesterday. For a poll watcher, a poll watcher is not able to converse with others voters or anybody but the election judge. And so, I understood you to say then, there ago, that poll watchers talk to people coming in to vote. There not allowed to do that?…

[Mike] … No, no…

[David] …I’d say, I understood that. That doesn’t mean (inaudible) … (inaudible) back to the pages here that tell you what a poll watcher can and can’t do.

[MJ1] Well I wear hearing aides so… (inaudible)

[David] … No, you are absolutely right. Poll watchers are not allowed to converse with (inaudible) uh, I’ll have to add photographic ID. We already covered.

28:30
[David] Signs, posters giving inaccurate information. This happened in 2002 where uh, [he actually/sketchly?] put out signs that misdirected people. Said that polling station was closed and had been moved to it. Mostly what they were catching were the people coming in at the last minute. Or they were frustrating them (inaudible) supposed to go to Covington. Those who wen’t driving over there… “No, no, you’ve got to go to Patton” “But I saw signs…” Actually, and they’d just go on home, catch the game on TV. It happens a couple of time. It doesn’t happen a lot. (inaudible) it’s just kind of, if somebody comes in and complains about that, you might want to research that a little bit.

29:10
[FJ2] Well, one thing I did when I went to vote, early, up here at Northcross Mall. I drove around twice with no signs that said which entrance to go in. I was very angry, and very disgusted. I almost turned around and went home and I thought, “No, I’m going to try one more time.” And then I saw their sign, But, and so, then I went to their office and I said “Voters need to know which door to go in to and y’all are making it where they, we don’t know which door to go in” And they said “Well, they guess it’s because the security people saw that they didn’t want the political signs,” which aren’t illegal if they’re 100 yards away. But they’re, it’s under new management. And so he sai.. and I said, well you know. So I don’t know. I haven’t been back to see if they’ve put the voter “Vote Here” or not, but to me, that’s an infringement on my rights.

[David] I’ll see what I can do

[FJ2] Northcross mall.

[David] Northcross mall.

[FJ2] Yes sir.

[David] Well what I’ll do is Monday, I’ll go check that out. And with that situation I’ll deal with Kim Dylan(?). That’s her responsibility at county. It’s (inaudible) polling (inaudible) so I’ll put a call in to her and let her know about it. To take care of it

30:23
[David] Okay, moving on. Media or (inaudible) campaign workers, loudly or disruptively loitering beyond the 100 foot mark. Now, I never heard of this happening in Travis County, but when I took this class at the state, they assured me that this does happen. (inaudible), uh, now clarifications. Exit polling by media is okay. (inaudible) here is somebody on the way in to vote and somebody sticking a microphone in their face and saying “uh, who are you planning to vote for?” “Why would you vote for them?” “Why wouldn’t you vote for (inaudible)“…(inaudible) and an intimidation process. You know that, I haven’t, I have not heard of that happening here.

[FJ1] …(inaudible) and it happened to the wrong person. But, the person that was coming in, happened to be, a guy who goes around in a van, a trouble shooter. And they stopped him and were handing out pamphlets. He was trying to get in to our precinct. And he came in, roaring mad. So…

[David] And I did see some campaign workers doing this. Something very close to that. They were uh, I actually called them to task for, they were within the 100 foot. They were working for (inaudible) Sarah Eckhart. They were real loud and, uh, “WHO ARE YOU GOING TO VOTE FOR?” to people who were trying to walk in. (inaudible) well, it’s marginal. Beyond one hundred feet, (inaudible) I would suggest, if you witness there, call the Sheriff. Call him in. And at least, (inaudible)

[FJ1] …standing in front of the cars, beyond a hundred feet. They can’t do that either I think, can they?

[David] They can, stopping the cars. It’s crazy, but you got people crazy enough to do it. Yea, if you see it, call us. Don’t be reluctant to call the authorities. I mean, that’s their job. And the more that we do that, the less the other side is going to be… willing and able to (inaudible)…

[David] In 2004 election, the Democrats had thousands of public, thousand human, what was it. A thousand human billboards. They tried to put a thousand people on the streets with Kerry signs. And… (inaudible) … I’m not sure that they (inaudible) as individuals, but I know that they were awfully disruptive. Just keep an eye on them.

[MJ3] But, you know you’ve got having done out there with a Republican sign, you’ve got people that complain about anything. And so, you don’t necessarily have to take the word of a voter saying “they’re harassing me” because, it may not be.

[David] But y’all are reasonable people, I’m sure. (inaudible) if you get two or three complaints, you’ve got a problem (inaudible)

[MJ4] Is there a reason that, uh, the call center will change (inaudible) will tell somebody else (inaudible) will be that, in that particular area, that he’s a Democrat or he’s a Republican. My situation is right now that when I was asking for a particular area that I would like to work for this election. They said, “well, all those are already fill.” I said, well that’s all right. I’ll work anywhere, I’ve worked all over town, I’ve worked the mobile units for about five or six years. And I’ve worked with judges all over town. And I’ve never had any questions about whether I’m a Democrat, or whatever. And this year, they offered me, go and (inaudible) a precinct that was over there. I said, okay, I’ll take it, and I’ll take the crew that has worked with me before. The alternates, and some of the clerks. they called me and said “Well you can’t be a judge in that” They called me later, after I’d been assigned and they said, uh, I told the crew where we were going to work and they said, “You can’t be the judge there, you can be the alternate.” And I said, “well who’s going to be the judge?” “We’ll make your alternate be the judge and you can be the alternate.” Well, okay. We’ve worked together before. And I (inaudible) asked them the reason for the change, and they said, “that is a very heavily Democrat box”.

[David] …when the elections laws were (inaudible) if the precinct voted predominantly Democrat in the last gubernatorial, in the governor’s election, then the election judge is a Democrat. If they voted mostly Republican, than that’s who’ll the judges will be. (inaudible) Then the alternate has to be from the other party. That, that’s probably the reason why they’re doing that.

[MJ4] If that’s the (inaudible), the alternate, well he’s also a Republican. I said “What’s the difference between you or I?”

35:48
[David] I don’t know, well sometimes. I’m not sure why that’s happening. There’s some places where that’s happening. There’s also some places where theres, some Republican precincts that are filled with both Democrats. Now, where we find that out, and I can find someone, I get the County to make the change. And the county is generally pretty good about it.

[David] So I don’t know if it’s like in the past where Dana [Debouvoir] was paying off the party faithful, by giving them jobs. Or whether it’s just a matter of … failing to fill every precinct with election workers, or not. I’m not sure which it is. What I can do, if you have a question about somebody’s party status, give me a call, give me the name. I’ve got a database I can check into that will show me how they voted in the primaries.

[MJ4] (inaudible) I know what my duties are. Most of the people that I have worked with that are in conversations outside of the working area (inaudible) I’m a Republican. We might discuss the issues, outside the between us. But when we work together, we remain friends. Even people that I’ve never met before, that I end up working with them. And they have asked me, they said, “Well why are you (inaudible)” It’s my choice.

37:09
[David] Moving on guys. Document, document, document. If you’ve got any voting irregularities, write it down, (inaudible) just get the names and stuff. And if we determine that it was something illegal, Alan says that he’s going to prosecute them. (inaudible) I noticed that when I was (inaudible)

[David] Okay. Poll watchers. What they can and can’t do. I saw candidates for Libertarian fundraising statement (inaudible) (my written notes that he stated Libs were going to have a lot of poll watchers) (inaudible) (inaudible) that the Democrats, they’re going to use a lot of poll watchers. Sometimes for (inaudible) federal (inaudible) but I wanted y’all to have a little bit more information on what poll watchers are and what they can and cannot do.

38:00
[David] (inaudible) The first thing (inaudible) check the application, check the affidavit. Make sure it’s fully filled out. Sometimes they won’t fully fill it out completely. And if they don’t fill it out completly, that’s ground for refusing their admission. Check it. Especially check the polling station number and the date. Sometime those folks will take those things and try to travel from polling station to polling station. Counting the ballots (inaudible) election judge I’m sure you all are aware, every application (inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible).

38:50
[David] A poll watcher, if you’re finding out he’s disruptive or otherwise a nuisance, he’s probably not going to be using a real name, and you say “hey, that’s great, can I see a driver’s license, a letter, something with your name on it.” Probably he’ll be very reluctant and he’s going to end up going somewhere else. But once again. If nothing else, then they’ll know that we are watching.

[David] You can ask a poll watcher for his or her signature. And you can compare that with their signature on the application and on the affidavit. If they’re using somebody else’s, the two might not look the same. And it cites where in the election code you are authorized to do that. If you’re suspicious, ask for proof that the voter regisration [number] on the application is correct. Ask the, make sure that, they have to be a registered voter and that number has got, that registratio number must be on the application. And you can ask ‘em, ask for ID. And if you’re suspicious about it, call the county and verify.

[MJ1] How do you talk to them about their yellow voter registration card? To compare with what is on their form

[MJ2] Just ask em.

[David] They don’t have to present that. They do have to have the number on the application. And you can try to verify that.

[MJ1] I’ve not had a poll watcher for sixteen years, that’s why I’m asking.

40:08
[FJ2] Well I had a poll watcher at the, at the last election. And I asked her for her voter registration number and she said, “Well I don’t have it.” And I said “Well before (inaudible) go and get it.” And she said “I’ll ask them to call it in.” Well I said “You’re not allowed to be a poll watcher.”

[David] You got one. Bingo. That’s it.

[MJ2] Must be… registered to vote in the precinct.

[David] In Travis County, don’t have to be registed to vote in the precinct. Must be registed in (inaudible).

[David] Okay, now here. This is a good one. Number five. An Election Judge can refuse to admit a Poll Watcher, but you must provide written justication for that refusal. Incorrectly filled out paperwork, false credentials disruptive behavior does constitute justification. (inaudible) why you must do this.

[MJ1] And who’s supposed to (inaudible) for that?

[David] You write it on the affidavit.

[Mike] You can use those affidavits for any irregularities that may come up.

[David] All right not, this one, this one I checked with the RTP on this. This is at your discretion. If you want to allow a pollwatcher to retain a cell phone, that’s fine. You can do that. But it can’t be, one like mine, with the (inaudible) (indicates built in camera) (inaudible) so check their camera. You can let them keep it, just check and make sure it’s one that doesn’t take a, uh, image.

[FJ1?] What do you think about a judge bringing in …

[David] Doesn’t matter. Actually, by law, nobody can take anything in there that can record images or sound.

[MJ2] I’ve got a cell phone that’s registered to the precinct. It’s a camera phone. And so, do I need to, probably tell them that (inaudible).

[David] … technically it’s a violation. Yea? 33.051 paragraph C. It’s a no no. (inaudible)

[David] Now written notes. Poll watchers can take notes. Written notes may not me removed from the polling station while the polls are open. If you’ve got one in there, taking notes, they can’t take those notes with them when they leave. Those notes have to remain until the polls are closed. The poll watcher can give it to somebody of his or her choosing. What I’ve also seen them do is put it in an envelope, seal the envelope, and leave it with the election judge. The reason for that is, a poll watcher is not allowed, Lance, believe it or not, a poll watcher is not allowed (inaudible) names may be written down. They can write down the names of people who came in to vote. They can’t leave, the notes can not leave until after the polls close.

[David] And the last thing, keep that certificate. That’s your.. that’s your… I’ve sent poll watchers out and they came back with their certificates.

[MJ2] I’ve never had a poll watcher. They have to give us (inaudible)

[David] (inaudible) the application has two documents. A poll watcher, an application and an affidavit. (inaudible) both on the same sheet of paper. After it’s done, that’s your record of who was there, and uh… I would even suggest that you record the time of arrival on that. And the time of departure.

[FJ1] (inaudible) poll watcher (inaudible) (inaudible)

[David] (inaudible) strictly (inaudible). Uhm, you would ask. A particular candidate may send two poll watchers that day. They can only send (inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible)

[FJ1] (inaudible) (inaudible)

[David] (inaudible) once again

[FJ1] …(inaudible) two at a time (inaudible)

[MJ3] Two per candidate?

[FJ1] …(inaudible) but they can only have a total of seven.

44:35
[David] (inaudible) that that, places in election code (inaudible), okay, moving on, next page. What a poll watcher can do. I’ve never seen any of them get up early enough, but they can witness the installation of the machines. Observing the securing of the voting system (inaudible) they can do it. At your (inaudible) they can have a mobile or cell phone at your discretion. You have to let them sit or stand conveniently near the election officials to observe (inaudible). Uh, they can make written notes, but only while they are there. They can observe assistance to the votes by election officials. If you, your clerk, or the alternate judge. A pollwatcher can be there to watch what’s going on.

[David] They can inspect any records, that you’re keeping. They can receive, demand and receive and English translation of any non-English communication between a voter and a (inaudible) election official. I always thought that was kind of funny, cause if you’re doing something illegal, you’re not going to write it down.

[Staff] Do they push one for English or two for Spsnish?

[David](puzzled look)

[Staff] I was just curious.

[David] Accompanying the election officials in delivering the election results. Again, I’ve never heard of this happening, but they can follow in a (inaudible) (inaudible) if they want to see you take the computer back (inaudible) (inaudible) to a collection point or to a (inaudible) county office (inaudible) they can do that. And of course, they can bring to an election official’s attention any perceivable voting irregularities.

46:20
[David] Now, what they can’t do. (inaudible) they cannot talk to the election official regarding the election. And they cannot converse with a voter. Can’t converse with a voter, period. They cannot communicate in any manner with a voter about the election. That means stuff like nods, winks, (inaudible) I don’t know if you’ve ever seen, they do something like this (inaudible) that’s a no no. So, they cannot leave the polling station without having served five continuous hours and be readmitted. Now when we, get, two points here. If a poll watcher leaves before the five hours a different poll watcher from the same party can come in and take his or her place. (inaudible) if the person has only been there three hours, and they leave, and somebody else want’s to take Bob’s place, you have to let them.

47:20
[David] And the next one, and I checked this one. Any courtesies that you render an electio nworker, must also be allowed to a poll watcher. So if you’re running (inaudible) restroom breaks, breathe, fresh air, you have to extend that same courtesy to the poll watcher. I know that’s somewhat in contradiction with the five hour rule, but use your best judgement.

[David] And the last one? You must not reveal the following information before the polls close. How an individual voted, or the names of people who voted or did not vote. Those are part of the (inaudible) and nothing else.(inaudible) (inaudible)

[David] I wanted to include it. I did have one question, this one right here, it asks for valid ID, from the last class, it would have been better phrased as “proper ID.”

[David] Now, I’ve got you all’s emails. What I’ll be sending you, via email, is a copy of about a 30 page pamphlet from the Secretary of State (inaudible) includes for election officials and workers. I’ll send you copy of that. If you want, I’ll send you another copy of this. I’m also going to send you an entire copy of chapter thirty-three of the election code on pollwatchers. I’ll send you that too. You can print it out, or delete it, whatever you want. (inaudible) available.

[David] And that’s about it folks. … five minutes though… (inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible)

49:50
[MJ2] One of the fine points of, that’s sometimes tough. You mentioned a husband and a wife talking. A had a grandparent come in with a grand child. The grandchild actually wound up assisting. And basically, anything anybody would say to (inaudible) under 18, we would not want to step in to that (inaudible) if somebody is obviously an older person, then I’m going to request that they sign those (inaudible) of assistance, voter assistance, And the difference between assistants don’t have to be registered voters, but interpreters do have to be registered voters.

[David] Thank you, that’s an excellent point. I haven’t brought that one (inaudible)

49:50
[MJ2] So if you got someone that is interpreting, language interpreting, and it looks like they’re older than a minor child, then you should have them oath, swore an oath…

[David] Okay

[MJ2] … and all that. Especially if you get, I don’t know. I haven’t run into any, blocks of nursing home people coming in with a bus driver. Or the bus driver (inaudible) assisting. But thats and example where, uhm (inaudible)…

50:50
[David] But that does happen. My wife from… manages a, not a nursing home, it’s a senior community, 55 and older, apartment complex. And… the city sends STS* a bus out. And they load people up. They load people up and all take (inaudible), which…

(*STS – Special Transit Services, part of Capital Metro)

51:13
[David] Ah… dammit… I had a copy of the voting guide. Voting guides are allowed (inaudible) as long as it’s not a partisan voting guide. They cannot walk in with a (inaudible) how to vote Democrat. (inaudible) a non-partisan voting guide, people are allowed to bring that material with them. Okay (inaudible) unless they (inaudible). We’ve uh, the last, we didn’t do that this year, in 2004 Alan had a bunch of voting guides printed out. (inaudible) Republicans and Democrats.

[FJ1] Really? I thought basically anything would

[David] No. If it’s partisan, because, if you’re going to allow something like that, Then how can you not allow something like that? (Indicating a shirt)

[FJ1] Right… yes…

52:00
[David] It’s a matter of consistency. It’s non partisan voting guide that lists all of the candidates, that’s cool.

[MJ3] So.. we can’t have a traditional Democratic sheet with all of the (inaudible)

[David] That’s correct, they’re not supposed to bring that in to the ballot (inaudible)

[FJ1] (inaudible)

[David] (inaudible) officials (inaudible)… yes yes, they can do that. But if it’s printed material, it’s considered campaign material.

[FJ1] Hmmm

[David] I can, uh, I’ll get you that if you want. I’ll do that. Yes? I’ll get the election law code on it.

52:30
[MJ2] It’d be nice, if (inaudible) exercise sole (inaudible) party (inaudible)…

[David] …(inaudible) alright, will do (inaudible) I’ll find it, I’ll find it, I’ll copy it. (inaudible) And I’ll put it in your (inaudible)…

[MJ2] (inaudible) they probably won’t leave it there, in that respect.

52:57
[FJ2] What if they bring in a printed sample ballot?

[MJ2] ahh, they’re supposed to (inaudible)…

(inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible) both candidates on it (inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible)

[David] (inaudible) if it’s marked, I’m not even sure about the mark. If it contains only one side, all Democrats, all Libertarians, all Republicans, that’s a no-no because that constitutes campaign materials. But if it has both sides, and I’m not sure about the mark thing

[MJ3] (inaudible) photocopies. (inaudible) marked and vote photocopies?

[David] Well, one of these (holding up yellow sample bedsheet ballot) (inaudible) well, good question. If it’s marked in advance. (inaudible)

[MJ4] (inaudible) looked over it at home (inaudible)

(inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible)

54:07
[Mike] All right, check the booths (inaudible) check the booths to make sure that nobody leaves anything behind.

[MJ4] (to Mike) (inaudible) voters guide (inaudible) he marked it outside because he can’t remember (inaudible) what he’ll actually vote on. What about, one of those? He marks it before he goes in?

[Mike] I’ll leave that, I’ll leave that to him (indicating David), but one of the things I do is, just check, when the booths are empty, just make a pass and make sure that nobody left anything (inaudible)

[MJ4] …(inaudible) voter (inaudible) he walkes in with his, he’s trying to remember, he read all the ammendments and he (inaudible) the ballot. I think (inaudible) he looks at it (inaudible)

[Mike] yeah, I think

[MJ4] (inaudible) but he’s got to take it back out, he…

[Mike] yeah, that’s the important part.

(inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible)

[FJ1] (inaudible) now I’ve been in this situation. I’ve got a poll watcher that is (inaudible)

[David] Well, he can get in trouble, he would call it to your attention. At which time you would have to (inaudible) process (inaudible) voters assistance (inaudible) …

(inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible)

[MJ2] …(inaudible) you can’t force them (inaudible) if it’s a person needing assistance (inaudible) visiting together (inaudible)…

[FJ1] Or get the party’s attention if there’s a poll watcher there, then, be on your toes.

[MJ2] Yea

[FJ1] If not, then, I mean, I just, because ah, you know (inaudible) …I know of one couple, a man and women, the man get’s up there and he doesn’t (inaudible) nothing he could possibly do. The woman votes lickety split. He’s still there, dickering, so she just did his (inaudible)

[MJ1] The newest Travis County book, is more detailed than any I’ve seen in the past (inaudible)

[David] Good. I haven’t seen it. Travis County or Secretary of State? Is it green? A green book?

[MJ1] (inaudible) a green book, no (looking around at his material) (inaudible)

[Mike] (Holding up Travis County Election Judge’s Handbook) This one? Yeah.

[David] I’ve got to get me one of those… I did’t know that…

(inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible) (discussion of 30 precincts with laptops and additional training that MJ1 says she did’t know about. Not transcribed due to time limitations.) (inaudible) (inaudible) (inaudible)

58:15
[Mike] (Get’s up to leave. Recording goes to white noise of fabric and movement.)