Poll worker fired for turning away early voters in Memphis wearing Black Lives Matter shirts
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The novel coronavirus continues to slam the nation, we’re weeks away from Election Day, and people are mailing in their ballots. And some people are still going to vote early in person—and, apparently, mistakenly being turned away from their voting statioPoll worker fired for turning away early voters in Memphis wearing Black Lives Matter shirts
The novel coronavirus continues to slam the nation, we’re weeks away from Election Day, and people are mailing in their ballots. And some people are still going to vote early in person—and, apparently, mistakenly being turned away from their voting stations. As reported by the Associated Press, a poll worker has been fired after incorrectly turning away voters who wore “I Can’t Breathe” and “Black Lives Matter” T-shirts and masks. The poll worker in Memphis, Tennessee, was apparently under the impression that the slogans on these shirts were linked to the Democratic Party. How did this happen? A spokesperson for the Shelby County Election Commission, Suzanne Thompson, told the AP that the worker was terminated after a witness at the Dave Wells Community Center in Memphis called officials. Thompson said a few voters were told to leave, but the exact number is not yet known. She described the incident as “pretty bad” and said, “they were not supposed to be turned away.” What if there is massive voter turnout, but not enough people to manage the polls? Long lines and discouraged voters who might go home, that's what. Sign up to become a poll worker in your area with Power the Polls, and make sure that our polling places are adequately staffed to make democracy work. Read more