http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/10/22/912666/-AK-SEN:-Dems-threaten-to-sue-state-over-early-voting-irregularitiesby Joan McCarter
A few days ago, we learned about a flyer listing Lisa Murkowski as the write-in candidate for Senator in Alaska being posted in voting booths in the state's early voting. That was attributed to a polling clerk who was confused about the rules. If you were skeptical about that explanation, good for you.
Alaska Democrats are threatening to sue the state, alleging election officials are trying to influence the outcome of the U.S. Senate race by illegally providing voters a list of write-in candidates.
Attorney Joe McKinnon says Democrats will consider their options, including seeking a restraining order, if the state doesn't end the practice.
Early voting has begun; election day is Nov. 2. This week state officials removed a write-in list from a voting booth in Homer after a complaint and segregated write-in votes there. But the director of the state Division of Elections says official write-in lists have been sent to polling places and that officials see providing the list -- to those who ask for it -- as meeting their obligation to provide voter assistance. (snip)
In other words, poll workers can absolutely help voters understand how to complete and cast a write-in ballot but can absolutely not tell them who to write in. In the letter (pdf) McKinnon quotes the Division of Elections’ own procedural handbook:
http://www.adn.com/2010/10/21/1513138/democrats-threaten-to-sue-over.html
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