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Voters Infuriated After GA Election Officials Let Singer Usher Skip Long Voting Lines, Snap Pics

Nov. 9, 2012 7:26am Billy Hallowell

ROSWELL, Ga. (TheBlaze/AP) — Election officials in the Atlanta area are defending their decision to allow singer Usher to bypass long lines and cast his ballot on Election Day, infuriating voters who had to wait.

Fulton County election officials tell WSB-TV that Usher Raymond IV was escorted to the front of the line to minimize distractions at his Roswell polling place. They said in a statement that poll manager Frank Padula was directed to move Usher through the process as quickly as possible.

Voters Infuriated After Officials Let Singer Usher Skip Voting Lines

Singer Usher performs at a taping of We Will Always Love You: A GRAMMY Salute To Whitney Houston on October 11, 2012 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles, California. The show airs November 16, 2012. Credit: Getty Images

“I take the voting process very seriously, and I was just taken aback that this was allowed to happen,” said Alan Christian, a frustrated voter who had been waiting in line for 45 minutes when the incident occurred.

Usher took cellphone pictures of himself voting, then posted them on Twitter. But according to Christian, others were told they could not do the same. According to WSB-TV, “Georgia law states it’s illegal to take picture or video inside a polling place, unless given consent by the poll manager.” Usher was given special permission to snap the images as well.

“If he wanted to make a media announcement, he could have stood in line like everybody else,” Christian added, going on to say that if the county was truly fearful of a disturbance, Usher should have voted absentee.

Fulton County Commissioner Liz Hausmann questioned the decision. Hausmann said she can think of only a few people who might deserve such treatment, such as people with disabilities, the elderly and voters with small children.

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Comments (58)

Hugh Williams
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 11:46am
We have all known for a long time once the receivers out numbers the producers it is over. This election is proof that is now the case. The producers don’t have the numbers to retake the government and turn the country in another direction. The only thing left for conservatives is to prepare to survive with their families when the inevitable collapse occurs. The 25 to 35 year olds have spent over half their life in leftist indoctrination’ they are lost. At the U.N. in 1960 Nikita Khrushchev pounded his shoe on the desk and told Americans we will take you over from within. Khrushchev was proven correct on 11/6/12. Capitalism, Democracy and Freedom has been lost for the whole world. The shining light on the hill was put out Tuesday night.

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- Hanner
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 2:27pm
  Privileged one-percenter.
  
  Report this comment
- Hugh Williams
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:13pm
  You could communicate much more clearly if you used complete sentences. Are you attempting to say I am one of the top 1% in income?
  
  Report this comment
- paleoconservatarian
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:33pm
  Here’s me, wondering how long the “we’re doooomed” posts are going to prevail.
  
  Report this comment
- Hugh Williams
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 11:07pm
  PALEOCONSERVATARIAN
  Please let me know I got wrong in my post? Demographics have changed. The left does control education.
  
  Report this comment
- paleoconservatarian
  Posted on November 10, 2012 at 1:01am
  it’s been noted elsewhere how unprecedented this election was in more ways than one – it took a billion dollars to barely reelect the man with the sleaziest campaign of the modern era. It pared the electorate to the more activist bases, skewing the demographics on their part to the revenge coalition. Such a campaign can’t be reproduced at will; if it is tried again and again, there will be backlash, especially when done in the environment of the inevitable failure this administration’s economic policies will produce.
  
  Remember also that 10 million people quit this president from the last election. Disillusionment on that scale from those heights can easily be made to turn towards conservatism, given the presence of a principled alternative, well articulated.
  
  We certainly need to root out agenda driven education and indoctrination where it exists (we probably have to take down the NEA in states where we predominate), but don’t make the assumption that those who are turned away from freedom are permanently lost to it. Somewhere within, they are rational beings, just as were in the Soviet Union. Just about everything with regard to socialism is a stinking propagandistic lie. So it follows that the concept of socialism’s inevitability is as well.
  
  Report this comment
- Hugh Williams
  Posted on November 10, 2012 at 9:37am
  PALEOCONSERVATARIAN
  Ronald Regan once “No people that have lost freedom have gotten it back in their generation. History is not on the side of Freedom. I am sorry if you think this is doom and gloom I am only saying the way things seem to me. Glenn Beck painted a rosy picture before the election. He was looking thru rose colored glasses and saw what he wanted to see, he was clearly wrong. For years the left has frightened people on SS by telling them the right will take SS away. Now with over half the country getting money from the government the left has won.
  
  Report this comment
- paleoconservatarian
  Posted on November 10, 2012 at 1:57pm
  @Hugh Williams
  Only we have not yet lost freedom – just barely lost an election to a bunch of folks who would take it away if they could. Just as when we empowered those who brought us the Patriot Act because we weren’t vigilant enough to know the character of our own representatives. Only they can’t do it yet. They can only double down on lies and narrative attacks. It informs us that we need to redouble our efforts and reassess how to get our message across, not that we should give up.
  
  Beck got lost in the weeds trying to buck up turnout and maybe bought into his own optimism a tad too much, which is understandable, but he remains one among many who haven’t lost sight of the big picture. The biggest tool of expression freedom has in its bag is the expanse of the internet. It’s defenders are many and varied, across the political spectrum, and conservatives are only recently beginning to understand its impact.
  
  Report this comment
DaveIn84
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 11:35am
Get used to it.

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czkowalski
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 11:20am
WE control their purse strings …boycott the Music and Movie industries
BOYCOTT!!! If we don’t buy their product, they lose revenue= no $$$
If you don’t like their politics don’t buy their products…for starters

George Clooney, Wolfgang Puck, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, Julianne Moore, Ashley Judd
Beyonce, Jon Bon Jovi, Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry, Jennifer Hudson, Ben Affleck Jason Alexander “george”of “Seinfeld” fame, Will Ferrell, Barbara Streisand, Usher,
WE HAVE THE P O W E R !!! USE IT!
BOYCOTT!!!

Remember Benghazi !!!!

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thegreatcarnac
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:17am
The new royalty in the nation is the celebrity blacks. This will not last but they will rub it in your face for now until you get tired enough of it to rebel against it.

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- JerryNic
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:33am
  I am already tired of it. After the first Obama win his constituents were quite uppity. But now, they walk around as pompous as their leader. I believe they think they are wearing velvet robes. I hope this royalty envy is short lived, but I fear it will get worse before Obama’s second failed term is over.
  
  Report this comment
- G-WHIZ
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:45am
  He’s a DEMOCRAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  Report this comment
Joel Knows
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:04am
We have started down a new era where celebrates who curry favor with the government are “more-equal” citizens than the rest of us. If a person is favored by our Emperor and Empress then they are privileged members of our society. Every vote like this counted in the election for BHO, and against Romney. Suppression of military absentee ballots had the same effect as many of them seem to have been cast for Romney.

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STEEEEVE53
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 10:01am
Poll manager Frank Padula would have been the subject of this article, and would have received numerous kudos, had he stood up for what is right and told his superior no, then informed Usher that he had the option of waiting in line to vote or returning when the line was shorter…….

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jessieH
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:47am
Just another back man who thinks he’ GOD.

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Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:23am
Obama’s new “Assault” Weapons Czar.

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paulwbrown
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:41am
I really have no idea of Usher’s celebrity. But if it is considerable, his standing in line could cause a lot of disruption at the polls with his adoring fans surrounding him as some do with their idols. If that was the case, it might have made sense to let him go to the head of the line.

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- Do Not Panic All is Well
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:54am
  Hell no let him wait like all the rest of us. If people are so freking stupid to let his celebrity disturb others then they truly don’t deserve the right to vote. That’s the problem with this country, every one is special, exceptions are the norm and not the rule.
  You idiot Democrats want Obama, then I say to Republicans not one compromise and let the economy to over the cliff. Rebuild from the ashes. The ensuing recession will send illegals home. That’s one problem out of the way. Send troops to the borders to keep them there. Let the unemployed do manual labor there to build the fence etc. no more freebies, no more food stamps. Let it burn and rebuild it right.
  
  Report this comment
HKS
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:34am
All you wee little people just get the hell out of the way, impotent folks are coming through.

“Remember Benghazi”

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- jhaydeng
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:38am
  Vanity before security!
  
  Report this comment
peanut1000
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:17am
All of obama’s favored will go to the head of the line for every thing. Look at Beyonce for proof. She has a baby and the entire ward is shut down to all visitors except hers. Anyone else that had the misfortune of being in the same hospital as he was SOL. That is the new world according to Obama. Those favored souls that have the money, fame, or resources move to the top of the line. All those others will die. I know this for a fact because a dear friend of mine was in a minor accident a two weeks ago and was admitted to the hospital. Last week he began suffering shortness of breath. He went back to the hospital and as an outpatient they did an angiogram. This test found a major artery is blocked at 95% and they did not put in a stint. Why did they not fix this problem. Because if they had stunted is blockage that would have required that they readmit him to the hospital and that would have triggered the obamacare fine for a readmittance within thirty days. It is unlikely that he will survive that thirty day punishment window as he can no longer move without shortness of breath, so he is going to die and it doesn’t matter to anyone because Obama got reelected and elections have consequences. I hope all of you that voted for him end up with someone in your family that you love, a parent, a child that all end up being denied life saving care because they didn’t quite make Obama’s window.

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AJAYW
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:16am
wow

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Delores at CH WV
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:11am
Why not? He is a member of the Elitist Class. He probably will invite himself to dinner at your house! These elitist are “Lords of Satan”, nothing is too good for them.

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piper60
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:08am
Usher is one of the “haves”. The have nots are treated like cattle.

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- EqualJustice
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:22am
  HAHAH Just wait until you see what happens under Obama care. TAKE A NUMBER and wait 4 years for a primary care doctor, JUST like in Canada. The “haves” will have enough money to BUY good, timely care. WE won’t. Aren’t they just so COMPASSIONATE wanting everyone to get health insurance? They never mention actual HEALTH CARE.
  
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DZ-015
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:07am
Can’t celebrities vote early or use an absentee ballot? If one wants the publicity of voting, then wait in line like everybody else

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NashEast
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:07am
Why so upset? Being upstaged by one of those rich guys they demonize so much? Maybe he wasn’t redistributing his wealth fast enough to the folks in line. I hope they enjoyed the new elite in Omerica – overpaid, undertalented parasites who think nothing of stepping over the fools that gave them their fame. I’ll take the real job creators any day.

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LakeHartwellSailor
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:00am
I voted in North Georgia, I was told that if I had my phone, I was to turn it OFF. Celeberties get idolized, job creators get villified. Crazy stuff, man.

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Chromo200
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:57am
If you did not read it in high school read the book “1984.” Remember some are more equal then others.

Look at the treatment the media gave Hannity for showing a ballot n his show. This guy did the same and even cut in line. Nothing will happen because he is a privileged.

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- DZ-015
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:10am
  It was another Orwell book, “Animal Farm” which I believe you are referencing.
  
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- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:36am
  Animal Farm is now the reality we live within. I hope everyone who voted for Obama is pleased with their choice. Remember all pigs are equal some are just more equal than others.
  
  Report this comment
nurseheidi
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:57am
Typical and the new norm. Laws are only for whites and conservatives. Everyone else is above. Have a good day my fellow serfs.

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- paleoconservatarian
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:38pm
  “We all need to play by the same rules.” What utter nonsense, displayed daily.
  
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- paleoconservatarian
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 9:01pm
  @Nurseheidi
  As to your comment (“Laws are only for whites and conservatives”), how asinine. It’s got nothing to do with skin color or politics. It’s got to do with his being more important than you in an unjust world.
  
  Report this comment
jackact
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:52am
And Georgia will remain conservative regardless.
Fizzle my Nizzle.

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- Gonzo
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 8:03am
  Damned right.
  
  Report this comment
dvwrld
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:51am
What do you expect?
He is the new apokesnigga of the “Choom Gang.”

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Eastinfection
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:48am
This story is biased……

It totally leaves out the fact that he waited in line the 2nd time he voted on Tuesday.

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Redwing1
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:48am
Get back in line Obamacare number XX56-hgysx7890knh. Wait your turn. Now imagine waiting for a hip surgery. HAHAHAHAH You liberal idiots will be at the back of the line while the elite liberals cut in front of you for their surgery. HAHAHAHAHAHA

Obamacare number 56789yhuiihgt-897 signing off.

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cobbcountyguy
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:38am
Just goes to prove that money CAN buy an election.
Perhaps with all the money he makes, the taxes he will pay, etc. will save America.
Ooooo, wait a minute. I forgot about all the tax loopholes he will have working in his favor.

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- Gonzo
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:53am
  Hey fellow Cobb county resident! Near Johnson Ferry Rd. in East Cobb here.
  
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Gonzo
Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:35am
He’s been promised a new cabinet positon Obama is creating, Secretary of Hip Hop.

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- OhSuzieQ
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:38am
  Sounds just about right.
  
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- Eastinfection
  Posted on November 9, 2012 at 7:44am
  I think JayZ already has that job…
  
  Usher will be the secretary of cheezy R&B.
  
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