Ascencao employs ‘poll strikers’ in District 68 primary race

Organized tactic is not often seen in small-town politics

By Ted Hayes
Posted 9/12/18

A polling tactic not often seen in small town politics made its appearance in Bristol and Warren Wednesday, as voters headed to the polls to choose a Democratic candidate for the House of …

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Ascencao employs ‘poll strikers’ in District 68 primary race

Organized tactic is not often seen in small-town politics

Posted

A polling tactic not often seen in small town politics made its appearance in Bristol and Warren Wednesday, as voters headed to the polls to choose a Democratic candidate for the House of Representatives District 68 seat being vacated by outgoing Rep. Kenneth Marshall.

Progressive Democrat Laufton Ascencao of Bristol, who is facing Bristol Town Councilor Andy Tyska in the Democratic primary, is using “poll strikers” to help get out the vote and encourage supporters to show up at the polls. In poll striking, a volunteer stands near poll workers at each station, striking the names of those who have cast their ballots from a master list of voters. From there, about 15 to 20 volunteers for Mr. Ascencao’s campaign plan to call those voters whose names have not been struck, encouraging them to come out and vote later today.

It’s a technique Mr. Ascencao said he hopes will turn the vote in his favor:

“It’s an age-old tactic,” Mr. Ascencao said. “We only call people who have already said they’re going to support us.”

The technique did not come without questions. Early on in the day’s voting, several poll workers questioned Bristol Town Clerk Louis Cirillo about the tactic. However, while rarely seen, the practice is perfectly legal.

Whether striking will help, or hurt, is the big question, his primary opponent said Wednesday morning.

Greeting voters Wednesday morning at the Quinta Gamelin Community Center in Bristol, Mr. Tyska said he heard about the Laufton campaign’s use of strikers early in the day. While he said it’s an interesting technique, he wonders how it will play out with voters:

“This is big-city politics in a small-town election,” Mr. Tyska said.

“I’m curious to see how voters respond. It’s going to be an interesting test case to see if it resonates with people, or if (voters are) going to be turned off by it.”

In the weeks leading up to the election, Mr. Ascencao and his volunteers canvassed the entire district door to door, asking residents for their support. He said his campaign workers will only call those residents whom they’ve spoken to personally, who have said they will vote for him, and who haven’t yet voted.

Mr. Tyska said his strategy is markedly different from Mr. Ascencao’s, and is truer to his “respectful” nature:

“My strategy is more reflective of my personality, which is more respectful or easy going,” he said.

“I know that many people have been forcibly asked to commit to voting, but also to vote for a particular candidate. I haven’t gotten good feedback on that aggressive tactic.”

“I’ll be here” at Quinta Gamelin “if not all day, then in the evening hours until the polls close,” he said.

Mr. Ascencao said he plans to spend his day visiting the four District 68 polling stations in Bristol, as well as St. Mary of The Bay Church, the sole District 68 polling station in Warren.

The winner of Wednesday’s primary will square off against Warren Libertarian William Hunt in November’s general election.

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