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October 26, 2016OUR VIEW: Voting underway
October 26, 2016
With early voting underway, election officials in Terrebonne and Lafourche say they are confident that this year’s polling for President of the United States, a U.S. Senate seat, six proposed amendments to the state constitution and several other matters including congressional seats and some local tax issues will run smoothly.
They also shared information – which voters are not necessarily aware of – but which could help some voters who run into election day problems.
Interviews with those officials evince a willingness to do whatever it takes for every potential vote to be counted according to the rules. And if a voter isn’t sure of the rules, plenty of people are willing to offer guidance and information.
In particular, they – along with state election officials – want voters to know that local voting machines are secure and not vulnerable to tampering.
False rumors have circulated through internet memes and e-mails for weeks suggesting that the owner of a voting machine company is supposedly an ally of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and will thus be able to rig the tally.
“There is a lot of misinformation out there,” said Lafourche Parish Deputy Registrar Tanya Griffin. “The Secretary of State owns every voting machine in our state. We have been having our machines at least ten years. We are well versed in handling these machines and they are not connected to the internet, they are not even connected to each other. We have 100 percent confidence in how these machines function.”
Terrebonne Registrar Rhonda Rogers expressed equal confidence in the system, as did Deputy Clerk of Court Nancy Boudreaux, who assists with elections.
“I think the voters here know that we give a good, clean, secure election,” Boudreaux said. “And I have been doing this for 41 years.”
Boudreaux and other officials said voters should come to the polls prepared. If they are unsure how machines work staff at the polling places are ready to help.
All local election officials noted that in Louisiana identification will be requested of voters, but that voting can still be allowed for those who do not possess it. The list of items that can be used to verify identity is broad, and includes utility bills as well as driver licenses, even those which are expired.
If problems establishing eligibility are encountered, there are several lawful ways for officials at the polling places to accommodate voters.
“We investigate all complaints,” Boudreaux said.
In cases where a voter is certain they are eligible but the rolls show otherwise, a provisional ballot can be utilized. A provisional ballot is one that will have to be verified later. Registrars in both parishes are prepared at a moment’s notice to travel to polling places if irregularities are reported, and have the capability of resolving disputes.
“Any valid current ID is fine, even it is just identification with a name, a picture and a signature,” said Griffin. “If they hae no identification we have an application they can ill out to answer questions that establish who they are . Also, if you are a registered voter you can bring proof of voter registration to the Department of Motor Vehicles and they will issue you an ID card.”
Early voting began Tuesday at the Lafourche Government Complex, 307 W. 4th St. in Thibodaux, and at the South Lafourche Library, 16241 E. Main St., Galliano. In Terrebonne Parish early voting takes place at the Registrar of Voters Office, 8026 Main St., Houma.
Early voting began Tuesday and runs through Tuesday, Nov. 1, except for Sunday, October 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
