Posted by SharonMN on 3/14/08 11:31am
Msg #239280

Now we are election judges?


Wonderful. The NNA is now publishing material which states that notaries can verify facts, which is NOT a notary duty in most states. I have enough trouble convincing people my notary duties are limited to the things authorized by state law without the NNA publishing "educational material" stating otherwise.

All I can do in MN is do a jurat on the sworn statement of the election judge. Frankly, since the election judge is already a sworn government official, I don't see how that helps deter fraud.

If notaries want to get in on this, they should apply to be election judges, which is a totally separate temporary job and has NOTHING to do with being a notary.


Notaries Can Help Ensure The Integrity Of Elections


By NNA Staff
National Notary Now #93 — March 2008

With claims of rampant fraud related to the 2000 presidential election still fresh in wary voters’ minds, one untapped option for ensuring the integrity of the 2008 contest is showing real promise.

Notaries, impartial public officials whose role is to deter fraud and make certain the integrity of electronic and paper documents, could play a vital role in stopping election fraud in its tracks.

Notaries are already used in many states to verify nomination petitions for candidates and absentee ballots. That role could be expanded to ensure every vote counts. A voter watchdog group has suggested that in the future, Notaries could be posted at polling locations and central counting areas to help verify that the tally of votes is correct.

They could easily be used to lock in electronic voting counts as well. A Notary’s secure electronic seal could be attached to ballot data files to guarantee their integrity and alert users to any tampering after the results are collected — a role that could significantly deter potential hacking while helping to eliminate the time and cost of counting paper ballots.

With the 2008 election shaping up to be just as hotly contested as the race between George W. Bush and Al Gore, elections officials have learned that the public pays as much attention to how an election is conducted as to the candidate seeking office.

The 2000 presidential bid exposed many flaws in the way elections are conducted. While efforts have been made to improve these systems through the federal Help America Vote Act, they have not been entirely successful. Electronic voting machines have been hailed as a way to eliminate “hanging chads” and other issues associated with paper ballots, but they have also raised questions about possible tampering or alteration of electronic files. The nation’s 4.8 million Notaries could provide just the solution that elections officers are looking for.

Reply by Lee/AR on 3/14/08 12:02pm
Msg #239286

could be, might, maybe.... they are really stretching this idea. Then again--what's new about that?

Reply by Barbara A Demonte on 3/14/08 12:14pm
Msg #239288

Counting the vote isn't the problem, fraudulent voter's are. Since the ACLU is against voter's producing identification at the polling locations to prove that they are voting in the right location and are voting legally, how are we as notaries supposed to validate the ballots? The Supervisor of Elections is an elected official, sworn into office, and it is their job to certify the election and the ballots. Now the NNA is promoting that we as notaries are supposed to usurp this elected official's duties

This is has to be one of the NNA's most ridiculous ideas.

In 2000, they have proof that over 10,000 people in Dade County Florida voted in Florida and New York by using mail in ballots in one location and voting in person at another. It turns out they were registered to vote in both states. What happened to these people? NADA!!!! Another example of the law not being enforced.

Reply by davidK/CA on 3/14/08 12:29pm
Msg #239295

Another rip-off opportunity for ABC

Just wondering if this mean another "educational" opportunity for that self-serving profit focused ABC? I can see it now: "Make big money being an election judge! You can study for this highly paid profession either on-line or at our six hour classes coming soon to a city near you. With the ABC's comprehensive training you will be eligible to work as a election judge in your state, or with our optional certification program anywhere in the universe. Sign up now before classes fill up."

Just my Constitutionally protected opinion of course.

Reply by Barbara A Demonte on 3/14/08 2:27pm
Msg #239311

Re: Another rip-off opportunity for ABC

I'm sure they will find enough newbies to fill the classes that won't bother checking if they can really make a buck doing it. I can just see it now NR getting flooded with this question: "I'm a new notary and I want to certify ballots, can anyone tell me how to get started?" LOL!

Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/14/08 9:43pm
Msg #239354

What world do they live in?????

And if they did manage to recruit people to become notaries for this reason, I'm certain it would only attract the most upright, ethical and unbiased individuals. Yeah, right.... Just unbelievable. I can't wait to see what they come up with next!

Reply by Roberta Hillary (Bobbi) Shorthouse on 3/14/08 12:26pm
Msg #239292

Election judges: Not in CT

"Notaries are already used in many states to verify nomination petitions for candidates and absentee ballots. That role could be expanded to ensure every vote counts. A voter watchdog group has suggested that in the future, Notaries could be posted at polling locations and central counting areas to help verify that the tally of votes is correct."

Having been part of the process: In CT, the Election Moderator, ALL Registrars of Voters, and the sworn-in-by-the-Election-Moderator poll workers who do the tally, do this ... under oath. I doubt our Secretary of State will change the process for "just a notary" to do this; particularly as the election day workers are on salary and do not get an extra $5 notarization fee when the count is complete, reviewed IN PUBLIC (all who can fit in the room welcome), certified and envelopes sealed, around 9:30 pm at night. Heck - at least half the people already working at the polls are notaries public, why go out and look for another one.

Reply by BobbiCT on 3/14/08 12:33pm
Msg #239297

Harry [NR] can't change FULL legal name to posting name/TUVM

I tried in my profile, but my forum name isn't coming. And that legal name is already just way too long for signing notarization blocks, never mind posting on the 'net.

Thank you.