4 ms·

My assumption was that it was so they couldn't read identities on postal ballots. Another claim of fraud was that they were not allowed to photograph the ballot

My assumption was that it was so they couldn't read identities on postal ballots. Another claim of fraud was that they were not allowed to photograph the ballots.

pxx 6y ago
It seems pretty clear that one would not be allowed to photograph ballots when their identifying envelopes haven't been removed yet... The secret ballot is still a thing in most states.
Brybry 6y ago
Fraud would be a more worrying concern if they were allowed to photograph ballots. In some states it's illegal to photograph your own ballot due to concerns of vote selling and coercion. The distance thing is complicated. I assume it's in reference to Pennsylvania. 6 feet was due to COVID-19 social distancing rules but watchers were actually originally segregated much farther away (at least in Philadelphia). I think the PA Supreme court overturned the 6 feet thing and watchers are farther away again but unsure. I don't think PA law actually says how far watchers have to be. https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/uconsCheck.cfm?yr=2019&sessInd=0&act=77 https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/uconsCheck.cfm... Some of the complaints are fair. For example, IANAL but the PA law clearly states that mail-in ballots have to be received by election day.
- Fnoord 6y ago
  The inability to prove you voted on a specific candidate is an integral part of a democracy. Privacy within a voting booth allows such, and any tools which take such privacy away (most commonly using a smartphone or camera) are therefore not allowed in a voting booth. > For example, IANAL but the PA law clearly states that mail-in ballots have to be received by election day. If it clearly states X you might as well link to it. From what I understood they can allowed if the votes were cast in time (which a stamp proves), even if received a few days later (though with a deadline).
Fnoord 6y ago
6 feet. 6 feet is approx 2 meters, which is about the distance you need to keep for COVID-19. That alone is a valid reason to keep your distance; we don't want those who are counting votes to become ill (or worse), thereby slowing down the progress. I'm a regular counter in Dutch elections, and observers should not interfere with counters (such as photographs, talking, noise, etc). It gives them unnecessary stress which reduces their output. Leave these people alone, let them do their job.

My assumption was that it was so they couldn't read identities on postal ballots. Another claim of fraud was that they were not allowed to photograph the ballots.

pxx 6y ago

It seems pretty clear that one would not be allowed to photograph ballots when their identifying envelopes haven't been removed yet... The secret ballot is still a thing in most states.

Brybry 6y ago

Fraud would be a more worrying concern if they were allowed to photograph ballots. In some states it's illegal to photograph your own ballot due to concerns of vote selling and coercion. The distance thing is complicated. I assume it's in reference to Pennsylvania. 6 feet was due to COVID-19 social distancing rules but watchers were actually originally segregated much farther away (at least in Philadelphia). I think the PA Supreme court overturned the 6 feet thing and watchers are farther away again but unsure. I don't think PA law actually says how far watchers have to be. https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/uconsCheck.cfm?yr=2019&sessInd=0&act=77 https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/uconsCheck.cfm... Some of the complaints are fair. For example, IANAL but the PA law clearly states that mail-in ballots have to be received by election day.

Fnoord 6y ago
The inability to prove you voted on a specific candidate is an integral part of a democracy. Privacy within a voting booth allows such, and any tools which take such privacy away (most commonly using a smartphone or camera) are therefore not allowed in a voting booth. > For example, IANAL but the PA law clearly states that mail-in ballots have to be received by election day. If it clearly states X you might as well link to it. From what I understood they can allowed if the votes were cast in time (which a stamp proves), even if received a few days later (though with a deadline).

Fnoord 6y ago

6 feet. 6 feet is approx 2 meters, which is about the distance you need to keep for COVID-19. That alone is a valid reason to keep your distance; we don't want those who are counting votes to become ill (or worse), thereby slowing down the progress. I'm a regular counter in Dutch elections, and observers should not interfere with counters (such as photographs, talking, noise, etc). It gives them unnecessary stress which reduces their output. Leave these people alone, let them do their job.