Election to Be Scrutinized for Irregularities

Along with computer experts to monitor the equipment, thousands of observers will be on hand to detail incidents that could affect votes.

By Ralph Vartabedian, Times Staff Writer

Mounting concerns about voter registration foul-ups, election machine defects and other problems that might undermine the presidential election have spurred dozens of organizations to plan extraordinary efforts to scrutinize the polls on Nov. 2.

More than 25,000 poll watchers, including lawyers and computer experts, are expected outside and inside precinct stations to report problems and in some cases to intervene if they believe poll workers are violating voter rights or making technical mistakes.

The largest effort is being mounted by a coalition of 60 liberal and independent organizations that includes churches, civic groups, unions and minority rights groups; it has created a massive computerized tracking system to follow possible election day breakdowns.

But poll watchers will also include elite computer scientists, county election officials and even European observers who believe the U.S. system is flawed.

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