Should the election date be moved because of Sandy?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>What is your opinion?</p>

2

<p>if people are still stranded/flooded/homeless next week, it might be something to consider. </p>

<p>we have been hearing about winds and flooding, but I haven’t been hearing about massive devastation.</p>

3

<p>Many people lost registration cards.
Voting officices will not be ready by Nov 6.</p>

4

<p>No. Too much opportunity for fraud. Did all the affected states have early voting?</p>

5

<p>I’d feel fine about moving it up.</p>

6

<p>No … and I speak as someone who has experienced floods and hurricanes. (I do know it will be a few days till damage can be assessed and reserve the right to change my mind.)</p>

<p>The situation may not be ideal but it will be over a week from Sandy’s landfall to election date. Damage control starts immediately.</p>

<p>My thoughts are with all who are hunkered down tonight. I know the hurricane will bring you many inconveniences but hope for no massive destruction.</p>

<p>(Maybe I’m just ready for the election to be over … and I think sometimes its best to keep on track.)</p>

<p>Just curious … what makes you think “many people lost registration cards” … I think most people make sure that all important papers are safe/secured. If anything good can be said about a hurricane, you do have time to take care of things like that … unlike with a tornado or earthquake. I imagine certain contingency plans for voting offices were discussed also.</p>

7

<p>I don’t think I would carry my voting booklet with me when l leave my home if I live near the shore. I usually left them on the kitchen counter for every election. I rather carry water, food, clothes, my laptop, my personal documents.</p>

8

<p>I only need my driver’s license to vote if I can’t find my card.</p>

9

<p>In California I have to show the booklet sent by the registration office. I am not sure driver license is sufficient.</p>

10

<p>They didn’t move or cancel the the election of 1864. If a disaster like the Civil War raging all around can’t dislodge a presidential election, I think having a hurricane a week before the election should not present problems that can’t be overcome.</p>

11

<p>You shouldn’t need your registration card.
The polls have lists of registered voters, just sign in & show your ID.</p>

<p>[Voter</a> ID: State Requirements](<a href=“http://www.ncsl.org/legislatures-elections/elections/voter-id.aspx]Voter”>http://www.ncsl.org/legislatures-elections/elections/voter-id.aspx)</p>

12

<p>I think it entirely depends on the state of things in a couple of days. It’s hard to assess the damages while the storm is still in progress, but I know that several acquaintances have sustained significant damage to homes and vehicles. I am also curious if certain polling places will be left out of operation. </p>

<p>Personally, I am made very uncomfortable by any situation that systematically keeps any contingency of voters from the polls, even if it is simply geographic. Voter fraud is so negligible a problem compared to the number of people who do not vote, especially when it has to do with difficulty registering to vote and getting to the polling place.</p>

13

<p>Would Congress have to vote on this?</p>

14

<p>We vote by mail. Perhaps that is something other jurisdictions might want to consider for next time.</p>

15

<p>If my guy is losing on election day, yes the date should be extended until my candidate has the votes he needs to win.</p>

16

<p>

</p>

<p>There were many voting rules since 1864 to now. People who were not able to pay tax, women, and other people could not vote during the the period from 1864 to 1972. So, 1864 election cannot be used as precedent.</p>

<p>[U.S&lt;/a&gt;. Voting Rights](<a href=“http://www.infoplease.com/timelines/voting.html]U.S”>http://www.infoplease.com/timelines/voting.html)</p>

17

<p>The Constitution and federal law set the date for presidential elections. I do not think the date can be changed at all, </p>

<p>People voted before electricity and before cars, in the midst of Civil War, WWII, and all sorts of other disasters.</p>

18

<p>Some sources say it can be postponed.</p>

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</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.ehow.com/facts_7210667_presidential-power-postpone-elections.html[/url]”>http://www.ehow.com/facts_7210667_presidential-power-postpone-elections.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

19

<p>“If my guy is losing on election day, yes the date should be extended until my candidate has the votes he needs to win.”</p>

<p>I’m with you there, lizard.</p>

<p>The election isn’t for a week. I would think most voters would have access to vote by then. I sure hope things aren’t so bad that people can’t get out of their houses to vote.</p>

20

<p>I just read an article in The Atlantic asking this question. Basically, all the states would have to agree, and you know that is never going to happen. </p>

<p>There is always going to be something. There could be a tornado that just affects Oklahoma or an earthquake that just affects a part of California. The elections officials just have to be prepared to handle the emergency.</p>