Violence at a some
Coatesville polling places was ordinary during the "Saha years". It
was a given that Coatesville Police would be needed on Election Days during
that time. I believe at least one judge of elections resigned because of that
violence.
I believe that if this
law goes into effect some local election officers will resign immediately
rather than risking their life and limb.
It's difficult to find
election officers now. Correction: TWO OF THE SIX COATESVILLE POLLING PLACES HAVE AN ELECTED JUDGE OF ELECTIONS AND AN ELECTED INSPECTOR OF ELECTIONS:
Coatesville Ward 3
Coatesville Ward 4-2
Coatesville Ward 3
Coatesville Ward 4-2
Keep in mind that polling
places are off limits to police. In Chester County only State Constables are
permitted in the polling places.
I have heard no one
consider the "show me your papers" law's effect on election
officers.
On the other hand maybe
Republicans WANT to induce violence at some of Pennsylvania's polling places.
Case in point:
Early on the General
Election Day of 2004 several Republican attorneys from Spring City showed up
outside of Coatesville's Fifth Ward (precinct 120). When the polls opened they
went inside and I saw elderly black women coming out of the polls saying, "They
won't let me vote."
When the Democratic
attorney was inside the polling place everything was peaceful. When the
Democratic attorney took a break, again people were walking out saying they
won't let me vote.
The effect of all that
Republican muscle in Coatesville's Fifth Ward was stopping long time voters
from voting.
I can't understand why they brought in lawyers from Spring City
and why CCRC Chairman Skippy Brion was screaming at a Democratic poll watcher
inside the polling place in front of voters but I don't have the mind of a
Republican.
But I do think that if the Republicans persisted in stopping long
time voters from voting there would have been violent incidents at the Fifth
Ward.
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