Suburban Trends - Sunday, September 19, 2004
NewBridge Clients Favor Bush in Mock Election
By Bryan LaPlaca, Staff Writer
"I wanted to vote years ago, but I never got the chance," said NewBridge client Charles Simmons. He, along with 63 other NewBridge clients, got a lesson in democracy on Wednesday when Morris County elections staff taught the group the ins and outs of registering to vote and how to work a voting machine.
NewBridge is a community health center in Pompton Plains that has served clients from Morris and Passaic counties since 1963. They offer programs for mental health, substance abuse, housing programs and youth and senior services.
"With hundreds of thousands of people in new Jersey with mental illness, this population represents a significant percentage of New Jersey voters," said Robert L. Parker, executive director of NewBridge.
"By ensuring they are registered to vote, collectively they can be a significant force in the elections in New Jersey," he said.
"We are dedicated to helping Morris County residents understand and participate in the election process," said Morris County Superintendent of Elections Roseanne Travaglia. "The basic democratic right to chose those who govern us should not be ignored and the Superintendent of Elections Offices are here to help community residents understand and participate in the election process."
Frances Mogielnicki of the Morris County Superintendent of Elections Offices told the group, "Voting is your God-given right."
She answered questions about the registration process and reminded everyone that the deadline to register to vote for the next president is Oct. 4. About half of the group was already registered and more were registered at the event.
"We registered 35 new voters and we showed all 64 how to vote," said Parker.
The clients were given hands-on training by Morris County elections data processing technician Garrett Schubert. He showed off two Sequoia voting machines out of the 805 in Morris County.
Mogielnicki explained how to get help at the polls.
Those who are confused or uncomfortable can fill out a disability certificate for assistance, said Mogielnicki, which allows the voter to be accompanied into the booth with two poll workers representing both political parties. The poll workers are not allowed to influence the vote, only to provide assistance.
"The poll workers are there to help you," said Schubert.
"I can't say 'vote for Bush,' I can't say 'vote for Kerry," added Mogielnicki.
Another option for voters is absentee ballots. "Most of the mentally ill vote by absentee ballot," said Mogielnicki. She explained the process behind registering for an absentee ballot.
The group held a mock election with the voting machines. "Everybody's vote counts said Mogielnicki." It's going to be very close."
Sure enough, the NewBridge residents elected Bush to another term with 25 votes to Kerry's 24.
"This is very indicative of what's going on in America," said Parker.
"I found it helpful," said client Herminin Perec about the voter education program. "Everybody should vote."
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