MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An election watchdog group has received calls that some election judges in at least six counties have been telling voters if they leave ballot questions blank, it will constitute a "no" vote.
Mike Pignato, an attorney working at the Election Protection hotline, says that could be an issue because calling attention to one candidate or ballot initiative could be construed as being improper.
Minnesota has two proposed amendments on the ballot: One would ban same-sex marriage, another would require photo identification to vote.
Ramsey County Elections Manager Joe Mansky says he received a few similar calls, and election judges were reminded to point folks to instructions on the ballot.
Pignato says his group also received two isolated calls about election judges who told voters how to vote on amendments.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
Comments (3)
Add commentVoter fraud rears its ugly head.
Was it due to poor training or the uniqueness of our amendment process and a desire to inform?
They should not be allowed to be judges again.
Young people need to volunteer to be judges.
Uhhh,
if they leave it blank, it is a No Vote. I don't think bringimg that to someone's attention is telling them to vote Yes or No. Just to do one or the other. Good Judge if you ask me. Are you having a panic there sister?
If they have agreed to a
If they have agreed to a specific set of rules in conducting the election, and they break those rules, it is still a violation of their duty as election judge. Rules are rules . . . . especially when you are supposed to enforce them