Actor waged 5-hour battle to cast vote
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/04/timrobbins.jpg caption="Robbins' name was missing from rolls."]
NEW YORK (CNN) - When Academy Award-winning actor Tim Robbins showed up at his West 14th Street YMCA polling center in Manhattan to vote Tuesday morning, election officials told him that his name was missing from the register.
"I went to vote where I normally vote and I was not listed. I asked for an explanation; they had none," Robbins told CNN.
He said he has been voting in the same district since 1992. He has not missed one election, and has not changed addresses or political affiliations.
"The poll worker said my name was in the book for the primary two months ago, but missing for the general election," he told CNN.
Although Robbins was offered the opportunity to fill out a provisional ballot, he was set on using the voting machine instead.
"Refuse provisional ballots - they're throwing those out, they can throw those out," he told viewers of "Real Time With Bill Maher" last month.
"If that's your last resort, take it, but fight for your right to vote," he said. "It's your right as an American."
It took Robbins a total of five hours - and a judge's order - to do so today.
"I'm just waiting for an explanation. I want a real explanation, and I want that explanation for the hundreds and thousands of people in my district and throughout the city who are experiencing the same thing today," Robbins told CNN.
A New York City Board of Elections representative did not return CNN's calls.
Polling places nationwide have seen heavy turnout - and accompanying delays and glitches - for the presidential race between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama.
I AM A CANADIAN AND IT BAFFLES ME THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO STAND IN LINE FOR MORE THAN 5 HOURS.I AM SURPRISED THAT
NOT MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT WALKING AWAY AS IT MUST BE VERY
FRUSTRATING TO STAND IN RAIN AND COLD.THEY HAVE TO FIND
A BETTER METHOD OR MORE POLLING STATIONS TO ENCOURAGE LARGE TURNOUTS.
PERSONALLY,I HAVE VOTED IN ALMOST 20 FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS AND NEVER HAVE I STOOD IN A LINE FOR
THAN 20 MINUTES.
C'MON AMERICA -WAKE UP
Are you serious? He never mentioned one thing about a 'right-winged conspiracy' you nut. He just wanted to know why he was not able to vote, it's his right to know. I'm sure if it weren't him on the news it would have been someone else with the exact same problem.. He's providing awareness. Chill out guy.
So you are blaming him for this? When is the country going to wake up and realize that taking the rights of any away hurts everybody? Right wing wackos welcome to the 21st century!
who cares Tim – I don't like your movies, don't like your political views and believe you have no bigger voice then anyone else...its funny, I am an expert in my field...do I get air time...no, all of these people from hollywood are on this belief they are higher on the food chain...why, because they make "make believe"...my job and success is measured in real time...
I had the same problem Tim Robbins had today. My wife and I registered at our most recent address in 2001 and voted in 2004 using our current address. Some how when I went to vote today my wifes name was there, but mine was missing. When I went to the guy with the computer, he told me my old address was showing. How is that possible? How many people are having the same problem?
Agreed, I live in the east lake view area of Chicago and they aren't asking for ID's here either. People are getting their ballots ripped off. Clearly, this is rigged. What a joke!!!
Vote suppression is the #1 GOP tool to "win" elections.
Not this time.
Obama - right now!
I AM A CANADIAN AND IT BAFFLES ME THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO STAND IN LINE FOR MORE THAN 5 HOURS.I AM SURPRISED THAT
NOT MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT WALKING AWAY AS IT MUST BE VERY
FRUSTRATING TO STAND IN RAIN AND COLD.THEY HAVE TO FIND
A BETTER METHOD OR MORE POLLING STATIONS TO ENCOURAGE LARGE TURNOUTS.
PERSONALLY,I HAVE VOTED IN ALMOST 20 FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS AND NEVER HAVE I STOOD IN A LINE FOR
THAN 20 MINUTES.
C'MON AMERICA -WAKE UP
Typical Dem, doesn't check to make sure he's registered, like the rest of us, then crys to the man.
What a dip stick
Who cares what Robbins thinks. He is no better or worse than the rest of us. Just cuz he is a 'star' does not make him better (or worse) than the rest of us. His vote counts as one. Same as mine.
Apart from all the conspiracy talk, things do go wrong during election time and in one of the most organized and powerful nations this is unacceptable.
Anyways it doesn't even matter. I just thank the Lord Jesus Mohammed Sumatra that Bush and his henchmen are out and hopefully some important change will come during a time of serious global transition.
I love you Obama
The point surely, is not about Tim Robbins but about how the electoral system is full of holes. If Joe Sixpack (God I hate that term) couldn't vote, it wouldn't have got any news. But because it's Robbins, it does, and rightly so. The point is, for every Robbins in NY who's unable to vote because of glitches (whether it's a conspiracy or not) there are probably thousands or hundred of thousands of peope, from both sides, like him all over the country. Whoever gets in (Obama!! Please!!) needs to fix this.
By the way CH, Tim and Susan speak so highly of you!
I am glad he got to vote, but did he help others he claims are missing from the roll? He got on because of who he was and no other reason.
So one of the more notorious left-wing Hollywoodland flakes is complaining. What else is new? These guys see government conspiracies in everything that doesn't go their way.
So you are blaming him for this? When is the country going to wake up and realize that taking the rights of any away hurts everybody? Right wing wackos welcome to the 21st century!
Just like a Liberal, waa, waa, waa. what about my needs. God, this guy needs to get a life. His vote would have counted, but he had to be a baby. Grow up!!!
In Tennessee they discovered they still have over 1,000 people on the voter polls who are dead. It makes you wonder if our system is working or not. How does someone's name just disappear. I don't think Tim Robbins is someone who forgot to register to vote as he is so active on many levels.
I only wish I had the money and fame to fight for issues that I believe in and could get a court date and verdict in the same day and still have time to vote.
I wish when people comment on something they make sure they have read the whole story before commenting. Also, we all have a right to our opinion this is not to tell your personal feelings you have for someone it is to discuss the issue at hand. C'mon grow up people and be adults if you are going to respond to a story that is being talked about. It doesn't matter who he is everyone has a right to vote, it wasn't his fault he was left off.. Give me a break!!
Good for him! He cares enough to take the time out of his busy scheduled and make sure his vote actually counted!!! I just wish more people would stand up for their beliefs!
What I can't figure out is why is there so much trouble with the voting machines and such? You guys had 22 months or so to get this thing ready! I am so tired of the ads on TV and will be glad when this is over. Far too long!
As an American living in Canada, I find it stunning how Americans cannot organize elections and how so-called third world tactics are used to prevent certain people from voting (e.g., Bush's tactics in 2004 with voting registers incorrectly listing people, mostly those likely to vote Democratic, as felons and thus not eligible to vote in many states). Maybe before the U.S. brings democracy to the rest of the world as it has done so effectively in Iraq, it should try it first itself.
So whats new?It will probaly be another rigged deal anyway ,like Gore&Dubya,and the courts will apoint McSane&the phony great white hunter .God have mercy on this country. EX G.I.
no more out of touch republicans. these wealthy people never know what is going on because their cronies are busy making working people broke. it is time for the top 5 percent to go and be rich somewhere and stop bleeding the rest of us dry. we are the economy. we buy your products and services that keep you rich. The Economy Strikes Back coming to a republican near you.
Seems like he could have voted anyway if he had his voter registration card with him. I was added to the book in '96. Maybe I was given a provisional ballot. It didn't matter, my candidate won our state by a big margin.
Funny how Republicans don't seem to mind if a Democrat isn't allowed to vote. What would happen if this occurred in Dallas to a country-music star and outspoken Republican? We wouldn't hear the end of this – how the government is trying to keep Republicans from voting, etc, etc...
At least Tim Robbins' notoriety is bringing this issue to light. There needs to be some changes made in how Americans cast ballots.