East Lansing elections run smoothly as election challengers observe

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Students line up to receive a ballot at a table in Brody Hall.

Jack Armstrong

In contrast to scenes of voter intimidation in some parts of the country, East Lansing polling places were free of trouble on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Students line up to receive a ballot at a table in Brody Hall.

Jack Armstrong

In contrast to scenes of voter intimidation in some parts of the country, East Lansing polling places were free of trouble on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

In contrast to scenes of voter intimidation in some parts of the country, East Lansing polling places were free of trouble on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

This fall, East Lansing City Clerk Jennifer Shuster said the city was expecting an increase in election challengers at the polls during this year’s midterm elections. While challengers were present at several polling locations throughout the day, officials at these precincts reported normal conditions.

Election challengers are appointed by political parties or serve as representatives of political organizations. They must be registered and approved and are limited to designated areas at polling locations. They cannot speak to voters and are allowed to speak to election officials only if they feel that a challenge needs to be addressed. Shuster said the city was experiencing an increase in challengers questioning the integrity of the voting process, but several precinct officials said challengers arrived only to observe the election process.

“Everything’s fine, they’re usually very nice and they just like to observe what’s going on in the process and make sure that we’re not doing anything that would be offhand,” said Sam Underwood at Martin Luther Chapel in East Lansing. No challengers were present at the chapel that morning.

Poll worker Margie Ring said one Democratic challenger was present at the Hannah Community Center, and “you never know” if more challengers will arrive throughout the day.

One Democratic challenger was also present at the MSU Union, and another at Brody Hall. The Democratic challenger at Brody, East Lansing resident Tom Carr, said he was there to make sure the democratic process was going smoothly.

“If somebody’s having some trouble, there may be some way that we can help either to make things go more smoothly for the election workers or for the voters,” he said. “What we’re doing is providing another set of eyes and ears on the processes.”

Carr said he had no intention to question the eligibility of any specific voter, that he was there to help. Carr said he gave a ride to a young voter who had realized he was at the wrong polling location.

“I took him over to where he needed to vote and came back here … nothing to do with who’s voting for whom, it has to do with ‘do you get to vote or not,’” Carr said.

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