| Author |
Message |
    
davel
Citizen
Username: Davel
Post Number: 152
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 3, 2006 - 1:12 am: | 
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My son has always accompanied me into the voting booth at every election. At the last BOE elections one of the persons operating the booth at the Clinton school did not allow my son to enter with me. When I told him we had never been denied before he said my son was too old and that poll workers should not have let him enter in the past. He was nine years old at that time, he is ten now. After reviewing this on the Internet I could find no rule or law in NJ prohibiting a child to accompany a parent into the booth. The guide "New Jersey Voter Protection Laws in a Nutshell, October 2005," has an FAQ that states Q: "Can a child/minor enter the voting booth with the voter?" A: "Dependent children of voters are permitted in the polling place."
Given that voter participation is so low, I've always tried to impress upon my son how important it is to vote. We are always efficient when he accompanies me. I don't think I've ever spent more than one minute in the booth.
This time I am not going to back down, but does anyone have some advice on how I can smooth the way? Is there an election commission or some other body I can contact? Poll workers should not be discouraging people from voting.
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Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 1618
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, June 3, 2006 - 2:40 am: |
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Walk right by the objecting party while pointing your middle finger toward the sky. |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 692
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 3, 2006 - 4:50 am: |
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I would imagine that if any of the candidates are reading MOL they may take this up. After all, it is in their best interests too to get people turning out to vote. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7908
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 3, 2006 - 7:42 am: |
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Print off the copy of the Q & A that you cite and take it with you. Besides, the poll workers are average age about 180, aren't they? You can take 'em.
Also, on Monday, I'd call the Board of Elections or Town Hall or whomever is responsible for the elections. Find out who you can call, right there on the spot, if there is a problem. Or ask that they orient the poll workers properly. |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2742
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 3, 2006 - 4:00 pm: |
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davel:
In which election district do you live? I suggest you call up the District Leaders for your District and alert them to what you want to do, and have them run interference for you with the poll workers. |
maggie
Citizen
Username: Maggie
Post Number: 146
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 3, 2006 - 11:43 pm: |
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last board of ed election, my youngest daughter who is 13, accompanied me into the voting booth at town hall (as she has done for every election since we've been living here ... 7 years now), and no one said a word.
maggie |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7557
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, June 4, 2006 - 6:38 am: |
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Davel:
Did you speak with a poll watcher at Clinton School regarding this problem? You can usually tell who the poll watchers are because they are wearing some kind of pin or the equivalent with the words "poll watcher" on it. They are generally more/better informed than the clerks working the polls and should be able to provide an accurate ruling. |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 2644
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, June 4, 2006 - 7:36 am: |
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My kid always comes in with me as well. She's 9 1/2. Our polling station has been moved to Clinton so I'll be another voter insisting on my rights there. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6452
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, June 4, 2006 - 12:17 pm: |
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I will keep my eyes peeled at the primary because my son, now almost five and a half, has been to every single election since he was born. If anyone gives me any gruff, I will have a printed copy of that NJ Voter's Protection Act statement and hand it to him/her as I walk by. |
davel
Citizen
Username: Davel
Post Number: 154
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 5, 2006 - 3:12 pm: |
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I received some advice from a good source that I thought I would pass on to those interested in rectifying voting problems.
If there are objections to taking your son into the booth, ask to speak to the Board of Elections person in charge. Each polling location has one.
If there is still a problem, ask the 'Challenger' [I believe this is an observer at each polling place, perhaps the "poll watcher that Joan mentions above] to call Townhall and ask for the person in charge of the Maplewood elections. |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2760
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 5:36 pm: |
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So, did you take the kid in? |
jeffrey oconnell
Citizen
Username: Jeffo_at_rulez
Post Number: 2
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 6:37 am: |
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i did a little research but couldn't come up with the specific nj statute ( it may be a federal law, actually ), but my understand of the rules ( i.e. our election law ) states that only those of us that are blind, physically disabled, or cannot read the ballot may have someone in the booth to help them.
and in this case, the person assisting must sign an affidavit stating their name, reason for assistance, etc.
the Q and A posted above that said "Dependent children of voters are permitted in the polling place" means that children are allowed into the room/area where the voting is done, i.e. in the gymnasium at the clinton school, but it does not allow for children in the booth itself.
that said, most poll workers - realizing the value of teaching our children about voting - will gladly let you take your child into the booth with you.
if you're told you can't take your child in, and you feel strongly about doing so, my suggestion is that you ask one of the other workers at the district if it's okay. my guess is that you'll find a sympathetic ear.... |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3475
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 7:01 am: |
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When I was a child (not in NJ), I recall having to wait outside and play on the playground while my mother went in to vote. (Our polling place was my school and, in those days, nobody thought twice about leaving their kid to play outside unsupervised.) So, I was surprised when I started voting here and saw kids in the polling area and going into the booth with their parents. I don't see a problem with it, though. |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 2646
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 7:57 am: |
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Yes, I took my kid in and showed her the new voting machine. No problem from any of the poll workers. |
juju's petals
Citizen
Username: Jujus_petals
Post Number: 264
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 8:28 am: |
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I always take my children in the booth with me at Tuscan -- not a peep from anyone. It's a good learning experience. I still remember my father taking me into the voting booth and even letting me choose which candidates to vote for. He was a bit of cynic. May as well let the child decide. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 4102
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 9:14 am: |
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Mine came in with me. The gentleman working told him he coud go in as long as he didn't touch the machine. I LOVED being able to type in my write-in votes. |
Strawberry
Supporter
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 7377
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 9:21 am: |
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Did you vote for me? |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6473
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 9:38 am: |
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From the New Jersey Voters Bill of Rights
Quote: 10. BRING YOUR DEPENDENT CHILDREN with you into the voting booth. [N.J. Stat §19:15-8(a), §19:52-3]
That should settle it. |
jeffrey oconnell
Citizen
Username: Jeffo_at_rulez
Post Number: 3
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 11:37 am: |
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thanks for finding that, duncan. i stand corrected. 
for the letter of the law, check the links below:
this section addresses allowing dependent children into the polling area:
"19:15-8 Persons allowed in polling place; simulated voting." ( http://maketiny.com/2zv )
"No person shall be allowed or permitted to be present in the polling place or polling room during the progress of the election except [...] such voters as are present for the purpose of voting and their dependent children [...]"
and this section addresses allowing dependent children into the voting booth:
"19:52-3. Time allowed a voter" ( http://maketiny.com/2zu )
"[...] Only one voter at a time shall be permitted in the voting machine booth to vote. However, a voter shall be permitted to be accompanied into the voting machine booth by a dependent child."
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davel
Citizen
Username: Davel
Post Number: 157
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 12:12 pm: |
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I brought the kid and had no problem this time. It just shows how some poll workers can be arbitrary and capricious - even in Maplewood. At least now I'll be better prepared if challenged. I should note that I've voted in almost every election in Maplewood since 1999 and only once was my kid denied entry. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 4104
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 12:17 pm: |
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Strawberry, of course we voted for you |
msg
Citizen
Username: Msg
Post Number: 198
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 1:30 pm: |
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I teach at Tuscan and every year I take my students to the polling place (gym) to show them what we've fought for in every war - the right to a democratic life. The poll workers are always helpful and eager to show my students the process. Yesterday I took them and fortunately, or unfortunately, the polls were slow. One of the workers gleefully showed off the new machine, lifting the curtain and explaining the entire process. This was especially relevant as we had spent the morning discussing the difference between federal, state, county and local government, part of the fourth grade curriculum. Thanks to Mr. Hildebrand, my students had a first hand experience and can't wait to vote. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6480
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 5:16 pm: |
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I even asked the people at the state election board and got this email back in less than a day. Pretty quick for a state office.
"Mr. Rogers,
According to Title 19:15-8 of the N.J.S.A. Yes dependent children are
allowed in the voting booth with the voting parent.
19:15-8
No person shall be allowed or permitted to be present in the polling
place or polling room during the progress of the election except the
officers connected with the election, the several candidates, the duly
authorized challengers, such voters as are present for the purpose of
voting and their dependent children, and such officers preserving the
peace or enforcing the provisions hereof.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at
609-292-3760.
Thank you
Deryl Nerolich
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