NEW BRITAIN--One woman who thought she was just going to vote on Tuesday ended up protecting another person's right to elect the next president.
New Britain mom Tawana, who asked we not use her last name, said her voting experience was "horrible" because of what she witnessed at her polling place, Holmes Elementary School.
Tawana claims she watched as an older woman who only spoke Spanish was told she could not vote after showing her DMV-issued identification card.
"They tried to turn her away," said Tawana. "The actual words were, 'This is not a federal ID, you're unable to vote,'" said Tawana.
Tawana said she defended the woman, who could not defend herself because of her language barrier.
"I was like, 'that's not true,'" said Tawana. "I was like, 'that's a DMV state-issued ID. She can vote.' I said because I voted before when I only had the ID."
Tawana said after arguing on the woman's behalf, poll employees allowed the woman to vote.
The poll's moderator told FOX 61 he did not remember the woman, and had no knowledge of the situation. When asked if anyone from the polling place told someone they could not vote without a federal ID, he said, "How would I know?"
The moderator said three lawyers from the Office of the Secretary of the State visited the polling spot to investigate. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill confirmed a lawyer was dispatched to the location.
The New Britain registrars of voters for both parties issued a joint statement:
There was a single report today of an incident at Holmes Elementary School during which there was confusion surrounding a resident’s address as shown on their ID. The incident arose from a discrepancy between what was listed on this individual’s ID and what was registered with our records. The site moderator followed procedure and was able to rectify the situation immediately, which resulted in the individual casting their ballot.
A report circulated on social media of attempted voter suppression is simply untrue. According to the site moderator, the Secretary of State sent two attorneys to look into this report. The attorneys found that the poll workers were in full compliance with all election laws.
Tawana believes the move was deliberate, and is thankful she was in line to speak up.
