I hadn't posted anything on this Pennsylvania for Obama-log since the Democratic National Convention because everyone was so enjoying these photos, and I wanted it to be the first thing that came up in the blob. But we're eight days out, and this is critically important.....
I just came from a very important meeting this morning with Eric Holder, former Asst. Attorney General, for regarding election protection in PA. This was a meeting of mostly lawyers, but everyone's help is needed.
There is an urgent need for more African American lawyers to work on election day, but there also is an urgent need for anyone who is interested in being trained in the legal aspects of election protection to work on election day--in Philadelphia and the counties.
For example, the Obama campaign needs 340 more election protection workers who can be assigned to polling places in Philadelphia alone. This is a huge number. There also is an urgent need in Chester County.
The McCain campaign has targeted PA as ground zero this election for votes and shenanigans, like the Republicans pulled in Ohio and Florida in the last campaigns. That's why McCain/Palin have been spending so much time in Pennsylvania. Lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place, so that's why they've selected PA this time.
The Obama campaign's goal is to have their election protection attorneys and volunteers signed up also as pollwatchers in the county in which they vote. The pollwatchers will be legally able to go into the polling place and actually see what is going on in there; otherwise election protection attorneys and volunteers are not allowed in the polling place.
I realize that some of you may have signed up through nonpartisan organizations such as the Committee of 70 or the National Bar Assn. election protections. These organizations cannot get pollwatcher certificates, and you will not be allowed in the polling places; you will have to do your election protection work outside the polling place only.
I am not disparaging any of these organizations and their work in identifying voter intimidation issues outside of the polling place is critically important as well, but if you really want to work for the Obama campaign, you need to sign up today with the campaign at aacounsel@voteforchangepa.com. They will assign you to work in the county where you vote so you can get a pollwatcher's certificate. For example, I vote in Chester County, and even though they don't anticipate alot of problems where I vote, they do anticipate problems in Coatesville, where there is a heavy African American population, and I will likely be assigned to work there.
Non-attorneys will typically be assigned as election observers to report problems, work with the large numbers of voters that we believe will turn out by doing such things as encouraging them to stay for hours in the long lines we anticipate, distribute water as they wait, or make sure that those who are waiting in line are comfortable with chairs, water, etc.
Volunteers can be trained at any number of locations this week, or training will be on line at www.pavoterprotection.com. Once you sign up, you will receive an email.
Also needed are people who can speak Spanish, Russian and Chinese.
If you want a friend to work the polls with you, you will also be able to designate that.
If you live outside of the Philadelphia area and have friends in this area, please email this to them. And, if you want to come to PA to work, please sign up, too.
We want to do everything possible to bring in PA for Obama. The polls have him ahead here, but we know dirty tricks up here, and we anticipate unprecedented tricks this election. So, please help us bring in PA for Obama.
Peace.
Recent Comments