Voting Issues Around Newark

We are glad to be Newark's resource for everything Newark and thankful to all the alerts we have received today about what's happening around the city in the polls. Yes, we've received many comments that: "it was easy," "no lines," and "Friendly people, helpful poll workers, and NO wait!"

But here are some of the ones that should concern us all:

HOW TO VOTE:

"The polling place at 69 Vesey St. is having issues with their machine, but still taking votes. Attached is the 8.5 x 11' sign (see photo above) they have on the check in table. Anyone voting straight ticket Democrat will not have their vote for Obama counted. This was confirmed when I asked the location coordinator. However, straight ticket Republican votes will count for Romney. Again, confirmed when I asked." - Alyson, West Ward

Voter Protection Line Response: Internet rumor has spread virally stemming from southern states who can vote straight line - doesn't affect NJ voting.

VOTING LOCATIONS:

"I got my letter that told me where to vote and I recently moved so I called to confirm I was going to the right place they said yes and that my new location was not in the system yet. At the polling station my name wasn't on the list and they told me I was in the wrong place and sent me somewhere else and when I got there I wasn't on their list either and so I had to fill out a preliminary ballot, which I'm told only matters if the election is close then they come into play.....I'm frustrated!" - Alyssa S., Central Ward

"When I got to the polling place it was closed and sent me somewhere else. When I got to Boylan Rec it didn't have my name and they were sending me somewhere else. I got there and they told me that they also didn't have my name, but I got to fill out an absentee ballot. I was told by the gentleman in charge that they weren't suppose to send me to another location they was supposed to take it the same way they did. I hope a lot of people don't have this problem." - Kelly M., West Ward

NO MORE BALLOTS:

Many have reported that the polling site on Summit St (where many college students vote) has been turning people away because they ran out of ballots. It was reported to us at 2:20pm and again at 4:30.

Voter Protection Line: they are working to get more ballots, or go to closest poll, which happens to be Science Park HS.

PROBLEMS:

If you have problems, please contact the County Clerk's office or Voter Protection Hotline: 1-866-OUR-VOTE or info@866ourvote.org (www.866ourvote.org). We've already submitted complaints for the above stories but request you do the same.

Feel free to share your story by emailing us.