So, I finally got through the lines here to vote. I initially showed up at the polls at 6 am, along with the pollworkers. Since no one was there yet, I went to get a cup of coffee at my folks. I finally went out to stand in line at 6:40 am. There were close to 100 people ahead of me. It took about 30 minutes after the polls opened to get inside, then another 10 or so minutes to get checked in, get a free machine, and vote.
In 2000 I did not vote because I was overseas and had trouble getting an absentee ballot. If I had voted it would have probably been for Gore, but possibly a third party.
Hallboy and I were in line for about 20 minutes or so this morning. He’s been with me since he was born, and I figure by the time he’s legal to vote, he’ll be an old hand at it. (Plus, he gets to press the buttons I tell him to press.)
I’m so proud–this will be the first election both Hallgirls are eligible to vote, and they rolled home around 2 am this morning from college–*just so they could vote today! * (They both had difficulties getting absentee voting stuff and decided it was easier to make a day trip to come home to vote than mess with it.)
So, kiss me, too. I voted.
Kissing line forms to the right and around the corner.
I early voted so no line standing for me today. I did however ride by my voting preceint this morning just to see. At 7 AM the line was two deep alway around the fire station, with cars backed up a quarter mile waiting to get a parking space. :eek: I’m beginning to think this early voting thing was a good idea.
I was, as usual, the first one at the polls. You have to part the curtains yourself, then press next to the names and a little green light comes on; then when you’re done you press a button to the side and it makes a silly “bl-bl-bloop!” sound.
I like the old booths, where you pulled a big lever and it made a satisfying “ca-chunka!” sound and the curtains flew open. You really felt like you you voted.
Hugs and kisses to all who waited in line (or not), and voted. Unbridled contempt and disdain to those who could have, but didn’t.
Got to the polls at 6:40 this morning, stood in a light rain for about ten minutes, then they let us in until 7. I was back in my car by 7:10.
There were a lot of folks in line ahead of me, but apparently all their last names start with “M-Z”, 'cause I just waltzed right up to the smiling lady at the “A-L” line, got checked out, and voted.
Straight Democratic ticket. I know there are some worthy Republicans in my state and county, but they have to bear at least partial blame for letting the party get highjacked by extremists. So, sorry guys. Use the next four years to clean up your own house. When come back, bring candidates.
I got in there at 7:15 am, no real line to speak of. When I put my vote in the counter, it said I was #97, so this election’s gonna be a big one! FTR, I voted Kerry/Edwards and Obama.
I mailed my ballot on Saturday. I would have punched the ballot and mailed it earlier, but I’d mislaid the sheet with the options on it. Since I’m new here, I did not want to vote for each of the offices and initiatives. I called the County Auditor to verify that my ballot would not be invalid if I only voted for the people and things I wanted to vote for. She assured me that voters are not required to vote on all issues, and that my ballot would not be invalid.
This is the first time I’ve voted by mail. In L.A. we had little booklets with holes in them, that were fixed to plastiv boxes. To vote, you used the attached stylus to poke the hole of the candidate or proposition of your choice. With the mail-in ballot I had to choose the candidate in a printed sheet and find the number of your choice on the punch card, then poke the hole with a paper clip.
I literally live across the street from my polling place. Looked out my bedroom window at 6:00 this morning, and there were about 30 people in line already. By the time I got in line at 7:15, I’d say there were over 100 people waiting. It took a little over 45 minutes to make it through the line, fill out the form, and go to the new, improved touch screen machine.
I’m with Eve. I miss the old-fashioned machines where you pulled the red-handled lever, the curtain closed, you pulled down the little levers, then pulled the big lever again and ker-chunck - your vote was registered as the curtains opened dramatically.
The poll workers were wonderful today. Moving up and down the line, asking if there was anyone who was unsure if this was their polling place. For those who were confused, they would take the name, go inside and check the register, and come back out telling them, yes, this is the right place or, no, you need to go to thus and so. Kept the line moving and kept people from waiting to get all the way to the front, only to find they had to go wait in line somewhere else.
God bless poll workers!
Voted Kerry/Edwards, and for the Democratic Senate and Congressional candidates, but in a few of the local elections (district attorney, public service commissioner) voted for the Republican.
An hour and a half. In the drizzling, warm rain. In Alabama. Got to the Poll at 6:30 am and was about 250 back in line. Polls open at 7 am, and the line moved far too slowly.
But I voted, dammit!
You only have to look at my hair to know you **don’t ** want to kiss me. Or lend me your comb.
They changed my polling place this year. I had a more difficult time finding it then anything else. Walked in, waited maybe a minute or so, voted, and left.
I was really dissapointed at how many offices were uncontested.
This was the closest to voting a straight party ticket I’ve ever come.
Oregon handles all votes by mail so Kerry’s had my vote for at lest two weeks now, maybe three. I can’t remember just how long ago I mailed it off. I love not having to worry about getting up early or getting there too late like I did in 2000.
Got back just a few minutes ago from voting. My husband picked me up and we voted together (as we have in every election since we were 18). Our polling place is right across the street from where I work, so we walked. It’s a beautiful, sunny fall morning here in Minnesota. A great day to vote!
I voted a straight Democratic ticket this year, for the first time ever.
Touchscreen here, so naturally my vote will be discarded. sigh Voted Kerry Edwards, held my nose and voted for Moran (he’s a jerk but he votes the right way), and voted “yes” on the library bond initiative.
I only had to wait about 15 minutes this morning to cast my vote for Kerry/Edwards, Obama and a big NO on extending Lake Shore Drive north to the Evanston border.
The machine that checked my ballot numbered it #127.
I got in line at 7am this morning, and it took about an hour and ten minutes or so to vote. There were already 65 people in line ahead of me when I queued up, and it took them half an hour to let us line up inside the building (plenty of room to do so) - spent that half hour jumping up and down trying to stay warm - it was 20 degrees this morning!
Outside the polling place (past the 50ft barrier) a moveon.org guy was watching, and inside there was a “legal rights voting team” watching over the proceedings. I’d estimate there were at least another 100 people in line behind me after I was done voting.
I voted for Kerry/Edwards, Ken Salazar (D), and to split Colorado’s electoral vote.
Well I was GONNA run nekkid, but Angelica essentially beat me to it. 's OK; I’m sure folks would rather see her than me.
I voted last week, “party line” (but not just cuz, and in quotes cuz I ain’t a registered anything) and for the two state amendments (neither gay marriage) and for the four funding initiatives.
Yeah, I said yes six times in five minutes. I’m easy.
