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Frustrated Voter Patiently Irons Out Ballot Problem

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 4, 2008

3:16 p.m.: Heather Martin showed up early this morning in Seffner to vote. When she got to the front of her line, standing right behind her husband, she knew she had a problem. Her name was not on the voting list.

"I have voted in Hillsborough County for 18 years," Martin said. "I have not changed my address, I have not changed my name."

Martin said the poll workers seemed unsure of what she should do and asked if she could return later. However, Martin decided to ensure she could vote and eventually got the phone number of the supervisor of elections office in Tampa on Falkenburg Road, where she eventually ended up at around 2:40 p.m.

After a computer search, Martin was allowed to cast a provisional ballot. She's still worried because she says it could be five days before she is certain of the validity of her vote.

"This is important to me," she said. "You only get one opportunity to effect change."

Martin seemed to find the weak link in the election situation. Although things seemed to be moving smoothly in Hillsborough County overall, some voters who have encountered problems think poll workers are unceratin of how to handle them.

People with problems should call the elections office at (813) 744-5900, where several dozen elections workers are on hand to resolve problems.

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