What are you doing this election day? If you’ve already voted and you’ve got some time and a video camera how about joining Video the Vote and documenting what’s happening at your local polling stations.
I started out this morning with camera and tripod in the trunk and geek badge around my neck and went to two of the polling places on the way to work.
Here in Plano, TX things started out very quietly near my house (where I would have voted if I hadn’t already done so last Friday) and at the location I voted last week.
At the Wyatt Elementary where I stopped first
I met a poll worker who was familiar with VtV and welcomed a conversation about the way the polling was going, what’s allowed in the polling area and such. Some of the things the worker mentioned were:
- They were specifically told that videotaping of any kind is prohibited in the polling area.
- Interviewing is also prohibited in the polling area, defined as the area within the signs directing people to the polls.
- They had been given about 3 1/2 hours worth of training in preparation for the election, about an hour of that was just for operation of the Diebold machines.
- When I went out to my car to get some notes on what’s allowed in the polling area a Diebold rep arrived. The poll worker made a point of mentioning that the Diebold employees aren’t allowed anywhere near the machines.
- The poll worker also informed me of where the final vote drop-off will happen tonight and I hope to get there in time to monitor that as well.
My next stop was Custer Road United Methodist Church
where I found even lighter voter turnout but the poll manager was friendly here as well and welcomed any taping I might want to do outside the polling area. Unfortunately there weren’t many people and the ones that were there seemed to be in a hurry to get to work.
From the poll manager, the best best for interviews will be tonight after work.
