Gong Show
What a gong show yesterday was. I had about 6 people who didn’t vote because of the ID requirements, although I think some came back later – but 2 or 3 people refused to vote because of the indignity of having to present ID. For example here’s a sample of the beginning of one particularly unpleasant exchange.
Me: Hello. Do you have a piece of ID with your address?
Voter: Are you calling me a liar?!
Me: No, I am asking for a piece of plastic or paper with your address on it.
Voter: Why? Do you think I am lying?
Me: No, you hadn’t said anything yet so how could I accuse you of lying? The government told me to ask. It’s my job…and the law.
Voter: So you’re trying to blame them for you calling me a liar?
Me: No, I’m trying to follow the law.
Voter: This is ridiculous how could you do this to me?
Me: I am doing nothing to you sir, I don’t even know you; I simply asked you a question. Now if you don’t have-
Voter: I’ve been married to my wife for 50 years!
Me: Okay…congratulations…I suppose.
Voter: And you won’t let me vote if I don’t have ID?
Me: I didn’t say that. However if you don’t…
Voter: *hands over some ID* This is all I have.
Me: This is all I was asking for.
Voter: How dare you?!
Me: Sir, everything is fine, you can vote, there’s no problem.
Voter: This is outrageous! I demand to speak to a translator.
Me: A Translator? Do you mean Supervisor? I can get him but, there’s no problem, none at all, everything is fine. If you want I can get my supervisor and tell him there’s no problem if you like but I don’t know what we’d need a translator for.
Voter: *voter runs away, returns minutes later with a translator* Tell him!
Translator: Yea, I don’t speak the other language this guys speaks but his english seems fine to me. I have no idea what he’s mad about though.
Me: Um, I asked for ID, this man got mad, gave me ID, now I’m waiting for him to vote because he can and there’s absolutely nothing stopping him.
Translator: Um, okay. Bye.
Me: Thanks for your time. *Translator leaves* Would you like to vote now?
Voter: This is outrageous!
Me: That you can vote? What did you come here for, exactly?
It went on from there.
