TO THE EDITOR:
The article on poll watchers October 11 was correct but limited to official state rules. It is important the public know the mission of Democratic Party poll watchers is to ensure all eligible voters get to vote. Election workers turn some people away, we believe, from misinformation rather than malice. Poll watchers can tell the election judge to address the problem and fix it.
Photo IDs can only be used to check the voter's name; the address does not have to match the voter registration address. We think more voters are turned away by uninformed election clerks for this reason than any other. A voter without photo ID needs to bring two items with proof of address and can sign an affidavit to be allowed to vote. Exact matches on names are not required. Of voters turned away, almost one-third are denied because poll workers say they cannot locate the voters name on the voter registration list. It is not accidental that most names that aren't found are Hispanic or Asian, just inexperience and trouble with knowing the order of the alphabet.
We won't have poll watchers at all sites. Any voter with a problem should not leave without voting. Call a Voter Protection Hotline and get help. You may step outside to phone and then get in line and signal to the election judge you need to be allowed to move up in line. Vote early so there is time to fix any problem.
Put numbers for Voter Protection hotlines in your phone. 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for TX Civil Rights/ACLU. 833-DEM-VOTE (833-336-8693) Democratic Party. 844-TXVOTES (844-898-6837} TX Democratic Party. 888-796-VOTE (888-796-8683) Disability Rights Texas.
Fight for a regular ballot. If all else fails, request a provisional ballot. Be sure to ask the clerk what reason they are putting on the record for why you can't get a regular ballot. Call the Bowie County Elections Office, 903-628-6810, to ask what you need to do next so your vote will count. They are good at helping voters and elections workers get things right.
Poll watchers are needed. To volunteer, call 903-276-9434.
Jo Ann Duman
Texarkana, Texas