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LOCAL CONTROVERSY CENTERS ON VOTER REGISTRATION - FROM THE PONTE VEDRA RECORDER
Local controversy centers on voter registration
Dear Editor, A rather odd thing happened in Ponte Vedra recently — at least odd for Ponte Vedra.
Four women went to the post office to meet with the current postmaster and discuss plans for registering voters prior to the upcoming elections.
Although we may have our own political preferences, registration is a purely nonpartisan effort.
In the past, we used the covered area in front of the building, being careful not to interrupt the flow of traffic in and out of the facility.
No longer was that going to be possible, as the postmaster’s instructions now were that we were to set up our card table and chairs OFF the premises and on the sidewalk that goes past the post office.
We expressed surprise at the implausibility of what he was offering, but he contended that it was due to rules and regulations from higher up.
We were surprised, too, as we had performed this civic duty many times in the past with no problems or objections.
We asked for permission to speak to this “higher authority” but the postmaster refused to divulge the information, and threatened to call the police if we did not leave.
Needless to say, this was puzzling and disturbing.
It is difficult finding businesses in the area where we may register voters due to company policy, but to be evicted from the U.S. Post Office is particularly troubling.
There is a happy ending, however, as somehow the “higher up” got wind of our predicament and has granted us permission to carry on as before.
—Charon Sisler, Ponte Vedra Beach
Finding a location proves difficult
To pick up where her letter left off, Charon Sisler is a member of the Ponte Vedra Beach Conservative Women.
Sisler was joined in her efforts by Jean Textoris, Marjorie King and Elvira Hasty.
Despite being openly conservative, the group and the women are not associated with any political party. Their group does endorse specific candidates. Their registration efforts are strictly non-partisan.
The group was formed two years ago, and has performed the service of voter registration since their inception.
In addition to registration, the group provides the forms necessary for a change of address as well as providing information about absentee voting.
“We were taken aback,” said Hasty when asked about the confrontation.
“We didn’t think we would ever be treated like criminals.”
The group contacted Governor Rick Scott, US Congressman John Mica and Tony Joy of the Jacksonville-area US Post Offices. Their offices responded promptly and the group was granted permission to continue their normal registration efforts.
The group has also approached a number of businesses in the area, including World Golf Village, Winn Dixie, Publix and Home Depot. None of the businesses were able to authorize the group to allow voter registration on the property.
Hasty said the process has been frustrating, and although the local managers of the Publix stores they visited were very kind, the group was not always so lucky.
“I won’t shop at Winn Dixie any more because of our encounter there,” she said.
Although refusing to allow registration, Publix encouraged the group to write to the company’s center in Lakeland. Hasty said they did so, but did not receive a reply.
“These are big businesses that profit from our community,” Hasty said. “But they won’t let us provide this civic service.”
pvrecorder@opcfla.com (904) 285-8831
Views: 86
Comment
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Comment by Patricia M. McBride on April 27, 2012 at 5:46pm
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Amanda, you said something that is NOT TRUE: "If you gathered a signature at 8:50 on a Saturday morning, or any time before that, you would be in violation of the law even if you arrived at 9:00am Monday morning to submit the registrations." If the registration is taken and the 48 hour deadline hits during a period when the supervisor of elections office is closed, the time is extended to the next day the office is open for business, and there is no fine, because you fall within the law. If a voter registration is filled out Saturday morning, and you deliver it Monday morning, you are completely within the law. I looked it up ......................
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Comment by Peggy Hall on April 27, 2012 at 4:18pm
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Tamara, you added your comment on Monday? I just received it.
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Comment by tamara stephenson on April 23, 2012 at 9:21am
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There is no rhyme or reason to explain why a law would place an arbitrary time limit on submitting voter registration forms. The League of Women Voters won't even sign up new voters in Florida anymore because of the fear of the penalties which may be imposed. I applaud anyone who still attempts to register voters in this state, given the obvious risks involved.
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Comment by amanda choate on April 22, 2012 at 4:48pm
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Me too.
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You are on point here Amanda. Folks should be able to register voters without being impeded. It is everyone's right to vote and it is also their duty to be informed.................that's the part the worries me.
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Peggy, words can hurt. Governor Scott should get involved and tell these private businesses what they have to do. It is the right thing to do.
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Pat, you bet. If I had known about it the article sooner, I would have posted it earlier. Apparently, Governor Scott and some other folks agree this attitude will not prevail. Love it. Yes, on the libraries, they are pretty good. However, we are having some good fortunes at the other venues we have chosen. As are some other groups I have spoken to. We can let Amanda guess where those venues are.
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Duh Amanda, if you had read the article, number one, you would know I was not there. And yes, you are a cynical liberal. We all know that. What I don't understand, is why you bother to comment on here when we all know what you are.
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Peggy you were lucky. If you gathered a signature at 8:50 on a Saturday morning, or any time before that, you would be in violation of the law even if you arrived at 9:00am Monday morning to submit the registrations. The laws are designed to reduce voter participation in elections. That is a cynical view of the electorate if you ask me.
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Thanks for posting this Peggy. It is an attitude that really should not exist I don't think. A business should be happy to have you attempt to register voters and certainly it should be allowed anywhere as we need involvement. One place I do know you can register voters is outside libraries as I have run into folks doing so at our local library (I even spoke to the gentleman a moment and thanked him for his efforts).
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