Icarosity

My next door neighbor told me yesterday that he didn't mind being asked to say his party affiliation before voting, or find it intimidating.

Oh, good, Mr. Conservative Republican White Man with Guns, I'm glad you don't have to fear being accosted or assaulted after stating your party affiliation in this town.

What you don't understand is that for everyone but white men, for people of color, queer and gender-nonconforming people, and many if not most women, (continued)

Nov 9, 2018 at 2:07pmWeb
Show threadIcarosityNov 9, 2018
for people of other religions and with different accents, our most present and real fear day to day is not a caravan of poor foreign people 1000 miles from the border, but white conservative men, often with guns, who live in the houses all around us and can decide to injure or kill us any time just because we angered them or because we disagree with them or just because they're feeling trigger happy.
Show threadIcarosityNov 9, 2018

That is why I objected to everyone being asked to state their party affiliation before they voted. I wasn't just being picky or fussing over small details. I felt a little fear as I said "Democrat" and I knew that people who are more marginalized than I am would feel it more.

Voting shouldn't be scary.

Show threadJonas WisserNov 9, 2018

@nancywisser Also/related, his response is very much of the "If you're not doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to fear from the law" strain.

Guess what, my guy? That is a) not how it works for most people and b) not even a little bit the point. *They're not supposed to be asking the question because it's none of their business.* Poll workers can't just do whatever they want; democracy can't work that way.

Show threadwhimsyNov 10, 2018
@nancywisser that, and, as having a secret ballot is, I’m vaguely certain, written into the constitution, it’s illegal?
Show threadIcarosityNov 10, 2018
@LadyWhimsy I thought so, and while it is true that they’re not supposed to ask, there is a law in the books here that allows them to announce your party as you go in to vote.
Show threadwhimsyNov 10, 2018
@nancywisser 😧