Vote early...and apparently vote often

So, we all know Tuesday was election day.

I did my civic duty and went to the polls - in the freezing cold.

Once the poll workers figured out what precinct I was supposed to be voting in, I walked to the table to sign the "signature book" - you know, the one where they check your ID against the name in the book.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered my name was listed TWICE.
As was my husband's.

And just like that we were transported to the good ol' days in Chicago.

I pointed out the discrepancy to the poll worker who kept insisting that I needed to "sign my name." I finally said to him "NO. You need to LISTEN TO ME. My name is listed twice. And clearly there is only ONE me."

But it wasn't just the fact that my name was listed twice.
Oh no.

It was listed with a middle initial (which IS my middle initial) AND a birth date that is NOT mine AND....a signature that was clearly NOT MINE. Yes, that's right. The last time I voted (in 2008), I signed my name next to the 'real' me - and that signature was there, loud and clear in the "photocopy/comparison" column.

However, the "non-me" had a "comparison" signature listed too - but it wasn't my handwriting. In fact, it appeared that the SAME PERSON had signed for the "non-me" and my "non-husband" - same exact handwriting for both "non-people."

That seems rather fishy, no?

I was finally able to get the poll worker to UNDERSTAND the words that were coming out of my mouth and another poll worker put these words in the signature block for "non-me": THIS IS NOT HER BIRTH DATE OR SIGNATURE.

They did the same for my husband when he voted later in the day.

And as any good citizen would do, I called the Lucas County Board of Elections Tuesday night. (Yes, I did realize it was election night and they were probably busy. But at least I knew someone would be there and might be worried about voting issues).

The woman I spoke with was concerned (and a bit shocked) and took the time to look up the names and wouldn't you know it, she saw the same craziness in those records! She said that she'd make a note of it and tell her supervisor.

I have yet to hear anything from the BOE.

I also called the Secretary of State's office - since you know, they are supposedly concerned about voter's rights and whatnot. The first person I talked to said "You're kidding?!?!" when I told her about the "issue" and then she said "Well, when you have 8.2 million registered voters there are bound to be some errors in the records."

And then she told me I needed to call my local BOE and they'd take care of it because it was THEIR job.
What?
I swear ... the Secretary of State's office totally blew me off.
Just like that.

So, I e-mailed the SoS office - because they have a specific e-mail account for 'voter concerns' and an INTERN e-mailed me and said this:

You were correct to contact your county board of elections, as they maintain voter registration data for citizens in their county. When the poll worker marked your names in the poll book, it notified the board of elections that further investigation is needed. I encourage you to remain in contact with the board of elections until your matter is resolved.

Um, OK.

So....I guess I'm going to keep calling the BOE until they assure me that this "issue" is "resolved."

They are going to get really tired of hearing my voice.