2012 was one of those somewhat tense election years. Nationally, President Obama was up for reelection, and the Republicans in Congress might have been successful in ensuring that he would be a one term president.
Locally, Elizabeth Warren was taking on Scott Brown for the Massachusetts senate seat.
To help avoid any complications, and as I was on the Democratic Town Committee, I became a poll watcher in my town, the rules and procedures for which were very strict.
Poll watchers could be seen, but not heard. We had to sit a few feet behind, or to the side of those checking people in depending on the physical set up of the room. They were to repeat the names of the people who were identifying themselves loud enough for us to hear so that we could check that person’s name off the list of registered voters we each had. Any repeated name and address had to be dealt with.
Our purpose was to watch for any irregularities at the polling station, take note of those that were minor and easily handled, or have one of us call the election board immediately if some problem seemed to be a bigger one.
Opposite us and across the room, sitting quietly and unobtrusively, was a police officer whose only job was to be on hand in the event someone needed a bit of stern treatment.
Outside, there were a few people who watched for violations against the rules of campaigning a certain distance from the polling station, and to ensure that no one approach anyone entering the station to potentially influence their vote.
In one town there were some people who were holding signs inside the designated limit and trying to influence a voter’s decision at the last minute, but this ended with a simple call to the election board, and the people then being directed to stand at the established perimeter without yelling their candidate’s name, and to leave people to enter undisturbed.
Because of the way poll watchers are required to act, few people even noticed we were there, and many reading this might never have been aware of their presence in the past.
Because of the poll watching process there is no need for individuals to assume positions of authority that may influence the outcome of an election.
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However, a certain presidential candidate who is not familiar with the world as it is, as opposed how he wants it to be, is obviously unaware of the established procedures, and may actually negatively affect the election while attempting to appear to be only interested in preserving its legitimacy.
Donald Trump has told his supporters that they should not simply vote, but gather friends and the politically like-minded to monitor voting.
Since many of his supporters are overwhelmingly white (disclaimer. I am White) and admit that they are disaffected, angry, and, in some public opinion polls have admitted to racial resentment, this could be problematic.
He has told supporters to monitor “certain places,” summon law enforcement, and really watch. He has established in their minds that some people should be observed with suspicion, and even included a sign up form for people to become a Trump Election Observer.
“Help Me Stop Crooked Hillary From Rigging This Election!
Please fill out this form to receive more information about becoming a volunteer Trump Election Observer.”
So we will have the people who are the official observers trying to do their jobs while Trump people will be doing whatever they feel they should be doing to accomplish what they think they should accomplish, and in all probability accuse the real poll watchers as aiding and abetting in the rigging if the Trump people feel poll watchers are not doing what they think they should be doing.
I can imagine the intimidation that will be going on. There will be intimidation of voters, and intimidation of those who are poll watchers and doing their job according to established procedures.