MEADVILLE —
The director of the Crawford County Office of Voter Services is taking responsibility for what she describes as an oversight that may have led to some voters turning away from the polls today.
A sign that read “Photo ID required. Have your photo ID or drivers license ready for the poll worker” was included in polling materials given to Crawford County poll workers to display at polling sites. Photo identification is not required to cast a ballot during this election.
Voter Services Director Melanie Mushrush said early Tuesday afternoon that the sign was created by her office and included in packets for poll workers after the state legislature passed a photo id law that was to be in place for this election. The state courts have since put off implementation of the law, but the signs were never removed from poll workers’ packets.
“We just failed to pull it,” said Mushrush. “It’s just a mistake on my part.”
The signs were displayed for several hours this morning, but Mushrush did not know at how many polling places. Having been informed by voters who saw the signs this morning, by 9:30 a.m., Voter Services workers were contacting polling places to have them removed. Polls opened at 7 a.m.
Meadville attorney Terry Toomey, who serves as the county attorney for the Democratic Voter Protection Program, saw one of the signs at his polling place at Holland Towers in Meadville this morning and reported it to the county.
He is concerned that some voters may not cast a ballot when they see the sign, but as of this morning he had no confirmed instances of this happening.
Meadville resident Judy Heeschen removed the sign when she saw it at her polling place this morning and took it down to the Voter Services Office to complain.
The signs may not have been the only confusion over voter identification at Crawford County polls or even statewide, according to county Democratic Chair Diane Adsit. By late morning, Adsit said she had received reports of Crawford County poll workers “demanding” identification from voters. She had also received reports of signs similar to those in Crawford County appearing “sporadically” across the state.
Alerted to the signs in Crawford County by The Meadville Tribune, the Pennsylvania Department of State, which oversees elections, was contacting all counties to ensure no signs indicating id was required were displayed, according to spokesperson Matthew Keeler. As for the Crawford County signs, Keeler said “this is something that could be looked at later” by the Department of State.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Crawford County's Office of Voter Services generated this sign and gave it to poll workers. The problem: identification is not required to vote in this election. Pat Bywater/Meadville Tribune
Related Links
Discussion
County's Voter Services director takes responsibility for incorrect voter identification signs
- Local News
-
-
Camp Cadet training starts today
The day begins at 5:30 a.m. this week on the Allegheny College campus as Pennsylvania State Police Troop E Erie Camp Cadet program celebrates 40th anniversary.
-
Make A Difference Day needs storage space
Make A Difference Day — Crawford County’s annual day of service that has helped countless residents during its 19 years — is now itself in need of help.
-
Retired nurse taps into her golden years
After 50 years in nursing, Shirley Hornfeck had a burning desire to do something really different when she retired from that profession in 2004.
-
PHOTOS: Thurston Classic 2013
Click photo for slideshow -
United Way salutes committed community members
Local residents Tom Chalmers and Dwight Haas exemplify what community service is all about, according to members of the United Way of Western Crawford County, who saw fit to honor them at the organization’s annual donor celebration, held at Sprague Farm & Brew Works in Venango on Saturday afternoon.
-
Thurston gets off the ground; more events to come
Spectators attending the 25th annual Thurston Classic Hot Air Balloon Event Friday evening saw the sponsor’s flight kick off to a rather unusual start — balloons took flight from individual locations beyond Allegheny College’s Robertson Field.
-
New events to mark this year's Thunder in the City
Thunder in the City, the annual free family fun classic car and motorcycle festival, has some new events with this year’s fifth anniversary — a motorcycle competition, a Corvette parade and a scenic bike run.
-
Night Glow at Thurston Classic rescheduled for Saturday
As it turns out, Allegheny College’s Robertson Field will glow this week after all.
-
Thurston flights are a go for tonight
The Thurston Classic Hot Air Balloon Event’s flights are set to soar on schedule today at 6:15 p.m. at Allegheny College’s Robertson Field on Meadville’s upper Park Avenue extension, according to event organizers.
-
Make A Difference Day needs you to make a difference by donating free storage space
Make A Difference Day — Crawford County’s annual day of service that has helped countless residents during its 19 years — is now itself in need of help.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Camp Cadet training starts today
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
Fla. Teen Catches Ride With Whale Shark
G8 Leaders Huddle on Syria
Raw: Obama, Putin Meet at G8
Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation'
Daughter: Mandela Doing 'Very Well'
Investigators Probe Origin of Colo. Wildfire
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
'Game of Thrones' Boosts N. Ireland
Raw: Prince Philip Leaves Hospital After Surgery
Zimmerman Jury Selection Turns to Media Exposure
Raw: FBI Meets Plane After Poison Threat
Family Tweets Say Kim Kardashian Gives Birth
US, EU Leaders Announce Free Trade Talks
