Observator International, trei

I mentioned that the polls looked like polls in the US. However, they did not *sound* like polls in the US. Several of the polls had radios playing music inside. And one polling place, that was hard to find, had the music playing from speakers on the outside. When asking for directions, we were told to "follow the music." (That poll even had a snack bar inside, which was much appreciated!)

There were at least 3 or 4 national observers at each poll -- typically polls were observed by the Communist Party, the Democratic Party and the Liberal Democratic Party. We came across an observer from an NGO (promolex)and one from the Moldova United Party.

See this link for more information about all of the political parties in Moldova:
http://www.parties.e-democracy.md/en/

We did not meet any of the other international observers, but we were told that there were observers from Georgia, Khazakstan, Turkey, and CIS who had visited some of the same polls that we did.

The party observers typically had a notepad and cell phone -- and were observing what was happening (not checking off names of individual voters who had voted, as poll watchers might do back home). Only the Communist Party observers had a form to use at the polls -- to help track the number of voters who voted.

Polls opened on time. Everything was running smoothly. The only thing we heard consistently was a disappointment in the level of turnout. Most observers and poll workers we talked to were hopeful that folks would come out later -- after dinner. It did not seem, however, that turnout was on track to achieve the one third needed for the referendum to take effect. See this analysis/comparison of turnout

http://www.publika.md/referendum-2010--ora-18-45---prezenta-la-vot-de-cca-22prc-_89261.html

At the time of this writing, it does not look as if one-third of the voters participated in the election:

http://www.publika.md/rata-preliminara-de-participare-la-referendum-este-de-29-67prc-_89431.html

The only poll that was quite busy (with lines) when we were there was the National Army hq -- it was the polling location where the defense, military personnel voted -- and it also had mobile ballot boxes that were at the prison and the hospital.

We also came across press at several of the polling locations. (See one of the attached photos)

The highlight of the day came at the polling location at Moldova State when one of the poll workers came over to talk to me. He is a student at ULIM and heard me speak to the Law/Drept students. He said he and the other students were pleased that I was here, and he hopes to improve his English so that he can take my class. He is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, and had participated in a campaign training organized by NDI. As I have said before, I am so eager for my classes to start! I can't wait to begin teaching here.

Speaking of a student coming up to talk to me -- that was another thing I noticed - there were a number of young people working at the polls (as party observers, poll workers, President of polls). In fact, I don't recall seeing any "old" poll workers. I would guess the median age of poll workers in Pinellas County is at least 20 years older than it is here.

We definitely need more young people working at the polls in the US. Through the Help America Vote Act funds were made available to develop programs to get college students. See this link

http://www.eac.gov/payments_and_grants/help_america_vote_college_program.aspx

We include the Pinellas SOE in the Civic Engagement Fair every semester, and they register students and also explain the poll worker program. I haven't applied for one of the grants (from HAVA) as I was managing too many other programs -- but -- perhaps there is a way to incorporate this kind of civic engagement program into the work of the CCE after I return to USFSP.

Once again, I must say that I am so pleased to be in Moldova at such an exciting time. Having the opportunity to serve as an International Observer was definitely a dream come true. I was grateful to be paired with a translator who is an expert in Moldovan constitutional law and legal system, and I hope to be able to participate in some of the educational programs he is working on here.

There will be parliamentary elections again in November. Stay tuned!