From the Inbox: Election Day 2003

These letters were written or provided by the Spafford Election Inspectors, and posted at their request, and are not the views of the Borodino Bullett staff.

REGARDING NOVEMBER 4, 2003 - ELECTION DAY IN SPAFFORD

To Whom It May Concern (Aug. 5, 2004), by Spafford Election Inspectors (below)
Spafford Party letter to the Board of Elections (November 5, 2003)
Ann Marie Palen's letter of response to the Board of Elections (February 26, 2004)
Letter from the Board of Elections to the Spafford Party (November 21, 2003)
Roles & Responsibilities of Election Day Workers (Board Of Elections) RTF

August 5, 2004

To Whom It May Concern:

It seems like the Election Inspectors have been under some scrutiny of late, again at the direction of Joyce Barnett. For some unknown reason, she relentlessly points fingers at those around her and neglects to see her own level of involvement. At the Town Board meeting on June 10, 2004, she went so far as to call us a “disgrace to the United States of America.”

As you may know, the Election Inspectors in Spafford District 2 are Barbara Shoemaker, Lorraine Hoover, Barbara Randall and Ann Marie Palen. We work at Primary Day and Election Day at our designated hours to ensure and facilitate the proper functioning of the voting machine and overall voting process in our District. Unfortunately, there was an event that took place that has led to public put-downs and fairly serious accusations being levied against us, all by Joyce Barnett. The incident involved the poll watchers at the last election, and the conduct (or misconduct) of Ms. Barnett. Please read the following items with an open mind and form your own opinion as to how we have been forced to take a position to defend ourselves against personal and professional accusations by Joyce Barnett.

Yes, Ms. Barnett, we agree that what happened at the polling place was a disgrace to the United States of America. It’s too bad you didn’t think of that when you and your poll watchers disrupted the voting process at Spafford District 2 and then tried to blame the Election Inspectors for your own inappropriate actions. With all of your self-proclaimed “education and professional knowledge,” you should not be claiming ignorance of the Election Law pertaining to what poll watchers can and cannot do. We, the Election Inspectors in District 2 are confused to have you say that the board of Elections has no guidelines for poll watchers, as we have guidelines that were provided by the Board of Elections which clearly state the rules. Guidelines are also provided in our Election Inspector Handbook provided by the New York State Board of Elections. Initially, the first group of poll watchers did in fact receive a copy of the guidelines that we provided to them. If asked, we would have provided guidelines to subsequent groups throughout the day. A copy of one such guideline is given as an Exhibit at the end of this letter. You should be held accountable for your behavior on Election Day. It was reprehensible.

As stated in the New York State Board of Elections Election Inspector’s Handbook, the Election Inspectors are in charge of the polling place on Primary and Election Day. They have duly attended classes, and periodically take exams to maintain their status as Inspectors. They are required to continue training with supplemental or refresher courses that the Board of Elections teaches. All Inspectors are trained and fully qualified to do their job at election time. It is an insult to ALL Inspectors when the Spafford Party stated otherwise.

The duty of the Inspectors is to provide a non-partisan, voter-friendly environment where registered voters can sign in to the Voter Book, and cast their vote accordingly. There is no place for intimidation, harassment or politicking at the polls. NO ONE is allowed to disrupt the voting process – not poll watchers, and certainly not candidates. Ms. Barnett threatened Inspector Shoemaker with harassment charges, due to being asked to vacate the premises for spending an undue amount of time at the polling place. That is strictly inappropriate. Ms. Barnett’s allegations of being pushed and shoved are totally untrue and even laughable… To think that Barb Shoemaker would violently attack someone is ridiculous.

Unfortunately, Ms. Barnett does not recall the past Election Day with much detail. She did not even pen her own letter of complaint to the Board of Elections. In fact, it was written by a person who was not even present. That being said, we find it hard to believe that anyone could be quoted with any amount of accuracy. That did not deter her, though – she continues to have this incident re-surface again and again. The original letter that Ms. Barnett had directed to be written to the Onondaga County Board of Elections is being printed in full, as well as our rebuttal, and the supportive letter from the Board of Elections. You may read them for yourselves and form your own opinions. As you read them, keep in mind how you would feel if you were the target. Further, this was written ABOUT the Election Inspectors and not TO us. We were only notified after the fact, when asked to comment about the contents. As you can see, we are being up-front and honest airing this out in order to resolve this matter once and for all. This verbal assault cannot continue. We live here, work here, play here and raise our families here. It is not an arena to throw around nasty insults and accusations. The simple fact is, Ms. Barnett may not have clearly instructed her poll watchers that they could not interfere with the voting process. They had every right to be there and check off the names of the voters after they had been properly signed in to vote. Unfortunately, their interference became intrusive and consequently, disrupted the voting process. We have had to relive her insults and malicious inferences since Election Day 2003. IT STOPS HERE. We would have thought that she would be embarrassed by this incident (our’s in Spafford was not the only one, as you’ll read), and try to put the matter to rest. We as Inspectors have, and come Election Day, will be there once again to open the polls and do our jobs.

Chairperson: Ann Marie Palen

Barbara Shoemaker

Barbara Randall

Lorraine Hoover