# It's Officially Election Day **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 4, 2008, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000 "2008-11-04T05:06:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/181 "2008-11-04T19:36:40Z")
Voted in rural America. Found the experience convivial even though different people were voting for different candidates. I like America for that. There were a few uncomfortable glances at me because I wore a tie though. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/182 "2008-11-04T19:48:43Z")
Today was the 4th Presidential election I’ve voted in, and it marks the first time I did not vote for the Green Party candidate. I voted for Obama. I got to my polling place at 7:30 am (polls open at 7 in RI) and there wasn’t a line, but a group of 4 youngish people arrived at the same time as me. Each of the 6 voting stations was in use, but it took me under 5 minutes to vote. Only 2 ballot questions, and my state reps were all unopposed. I was an activist in college, but it ground me down and wore me out. This election has reminded me of what’s so good and vital about community organizing. It’s nice to feel like I’m voting FOR something, rather than against. Tonight I’ll be at the Democratic parties downtown. Woo! ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/183 "2008-11-04T19:50:12Z")
> [@TV\_time](#): > > Voted in rural America. Found the experience convivial even though different people were voting for different candidates. I like America for that. There were a few uncomfortable glances at me because I wore a tie though. Was it a bow tie? :dubious: Was it a red bow tie? :dubious::dubious: \ A man? A police man?\ Yeah, I don’t think I’m making any sense either. Obama! O-Eight! Obama! O-Eight! Obama! O-Eight! ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/184 "2008-11-04T19:50:43Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > I’m really going to miss Tim Russert tonight and not just for the excellent analysis he always brought. It just doesn’t seem right, him not getting to see how this, of all elections, played out. I agree. Or as McCain would put it — I couldn’t agree more with them. I disagree with you. I agree with you that we can agree that Americans are the most hard working, God fearing people on earth. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/185 "2008-11-04T19:52:54Z")
Like a wisp of clouds I blew into the polling place, voted Obama, and blew out. I donated to the school bake sale but didn’t take any baked goods. I guess my mind was a little preoccupied. 🙂 The poll workers were older folks, I knew two of them, it was an easy in easy out. I was listening to a group of very old folks talking about the younger people who were voting. That they were happy to see them get out and be heard. COME ON MAN - YOU CAN DO IT!! GOBAMA!! ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/186 "2008-11-04T19:53:29Z")
> [@Rasa](#): > > Tonight I’ll be at the Democratic parties downtown. Woo! Speaking of which, does anyone know of any Democratic parties tonight in the Central Jersey / Philly area? ---
**Author:** ![jadler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@jadler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jadler)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/187 "2008-11-04T19:55:28Z")
I am making a point now more than ever to NOT vote. The reason is simple. While we have millions of people jumping on the bandwagon of one political puppet or another we also have a lack of intelligence among the voters. Why should you jump behind either of these men? Because your friends are doing it? I see nothing I particularly like in either person and therefore exercise my rights to NOT VOTE for either choice. It’s better than giving my vote away to someone I don’t 100% support. ---
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/188 "2008-11-04T19:57:06Z")
Woke up at 5:30 this morning to get my vote in before I had to go to class. Left the house at 5:55, walked to polling place, was in line at 6. Didn’t get out of there until 7:30. Completely exhausted now, usually wake up at 7:30 and losing those 2 hours of sleep is killing me, but it was worth it. Looked like the line wasn’t staying as long as the morning went on, more people leaving than coming in. I have no idea what voter # I was but my best guess was there were between 100-200 people in line before me (I’m horrible at guessing stuff like that, but it was at least 100). The I Voted stickers were small and crappy, mine fell off a couple hours ago. Me and my friends are getting beer and pizza tonight and watching the returns. Gobama. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/189 "2008-11-04T19:58:22Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > Speaking of which, does anyone know of any Democratic parties tonight in the Central Jersey / Philly area? Well, there’s this [Democratic Party](http://www.njdems.org/)… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CaerieD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@CaerieD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaerieD)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/190 "2008-11-04T19:59:32Z")
I took my fifteen year old brother with me when I went to vote down at the city hall this afternoon. We live in a community of 1300, so we weren’t expecting a line, but I’ll be damned if there wasn’t one! It took about ten minutes to get in the door and my brother, ever the gentleman, was holding the doors open for little old ladies until I called him in to come see how this voting thing is done. It was a nice experience all around and I feel especially good that even though he isn’t old enough to vote, my brother got to be there for it. Now I’ve just got to spend the next few hours making homemade pizza and trying not to be too antsy waiting for the returns! ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/191 "2008-11-04T20:01:28Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > Speaking of which, does anyone know of any Democratic parties tonight in the Central Jersey / Philly area? [Find an Event near you](http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/search_simple?source=sidenav). (The Obama campaign has thought of everything. :)) ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/192 "2008-11-04T20:01:36Z")
> [@jadler](#): > > I am making a point now more than ever to NOT vote. > > The reason is simple. > > While we have millions of people jumping on the bandwagon of one political puppet or another we also have a lack of intelligence among the voters. Why should you jump behind either of these men? Because your friends are doing it? I see nothing I particularly like in either person and therefore exercise my rights to NOT VOTE for either choice. It’s better than giving my vote away to someone I don’t 100% support. As is your right, but come on man, don’t kill everyone else’s buzz. …and anyway, if you wait for someone you support 100 percent you’ll never vote. For example, I have a big problem with Obama’s stance on Gay marriage, as well as a couple of other smaller issues, but I’m voting for the greater good. I’m voting for what’s in my, and what I consider the country’s, best interests. We can sort out other issues as things progress, but at least, I feel, we’re headed in the right direction with Obama at the helm. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/193 "2008-11-04T20:01:43Z")
> [@jadler](#): > > I am making a point now more than ever to NOT vote. > > The reason is simple. > > While we have millions of people jumping on the bandwagon of one political puppet or another we also have a lack of intelligence among the voters. Why should you jump behind either of these men? Because your friends are doing it? Hey, be _more_ condescending, it’s fun, especially on a day when people are feeling tense. > [@](#): > > I see nothing I particularly like in either person and therefore exercise my rights to NOT VOTE for either choice. It’s better than giving my vote away to someone I don’t 100% support. There are more than two candidates for President, and you are permitted to cast your vote for any of them. Failing that, you can write in any candidate you please. Unless you literally think that _no one_ is a qualified candidate for President, your stated justification for failing to vote holds no water. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/194 "2008-11-04T20:03:22Z")
> [@](#): > > 1948: Truman 303, Dewey 189, **Thurmond 39** Was that good old 100 year old Strom? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/195 "2008-11-04T20:04:23Z")
> [@jadler](#): > > I am making a point now more than ever to NOT vote. > > The reason is simple. > > While we have millions of people jumping on the bandwagon of one political puppet or another we also have a lack of intelligence among the voters. Why should you jump behind either of these men? Because your friends are doing it? I see nothing I particularly like in either person and therefore exercise my rights to NOT VOTE for either choice. It’s better than giving my vote away to someone I don’t 100% support. Gee…we couldn’t possibly be making a decision because we actually thought about the issues and the candidates. No, it has to be because all our friends are doing it. When you find a candidate you 100% agree with, let me know. I’m always up for witnessing miracles. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/196 "2008-11-04T20:05:46Z")
> [@Icerigger](#): > > Was that good old 100 year old Strom? Yup. That was the election that Trent Lott got in trouble for referencing a few years ago. ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/197 "2008-11-04T20:07:05Z")
Well, I thought I wouldn’t have anything to add, as I voted early. But, I talked to my mom this morning. She lives in CA and was going to take herself and my dad to vote in an hour. I asked her, pretty please, to vote “no” on Prop. 8. “Is that the one saying gay marriage is okay?” she asked. “No, that’s the one trying to outlaw gay marriage, and it’s worded funny so people who think it’s okay might accidentally vote against it. If you think gay marriage is okay, vote no.” “No it is!” Two years ago, she would have voted to outlaw gay marriage. I’m so proud of her! ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/198 "2008-11-04T20:13:30Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > For example, I have a big problem with Obama’s stance on Gay marriage. . . Don’t know if this will help, or just reconfirm what you already know. . . > [@](#): > > [http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1051404.html](http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/1051404.html) > > . . . > > In a letter to the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club read Sunday at the group’s annual Pride Breakfast in San Francisco, the Illinois senator said \*\*he supports extending “fully equal rights and benefits to same-sex couples under both state and federal law.” > > “And that is why I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or those of other states\*\*,” Obama wrote. > > . . . > [@](#): > > [MTV | Homepage - Shows & Schedules](http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1598407/20081101/story.jhtml) > > When an MTV viewer wanted to know what Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama thought of Proposition 8, a state constitutional amendment on the 2008 California general-election ballot that would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry, MTV News brought the question straight to the man himself. > “I think it’s unnecessary,” Obama told Sway, in response to a question sent in by Gangstagigz from San Leandro, California. “I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage. **But when you start playing around with constitutions, just to prohibit somebody who cares about another person, it just seems to me that’s not what America’s about. Usually, our constitutions expand liberties, they don’t contract them**.” > > . . . ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/199 "2008-11-04T20:14:10Z")
> [@jadler](#): > > I am making a point now more than ever to NOT vote. > > The reason is simple. > > While we have millions of people jumping on the bandwagon of one political puppet or another we also have a lack of intelligence among the voters. Why should you jump behind either of these men? Because your friends are doing it? I see nothing I particularly like in either person and therefore exercise my rights to NOT VOTE for either choice. It’s better than giving my vote away to someone I don’t 100% support. Actually you are suppose to use your brain and read up on the politicians, listen to them speak and make an educated decision on which to vote for. In addition if you can point people in the right direction to help them educate themselves on the issues and the politicians positions all the better. Here is a \*\*sample \*\*of official sites that were often brought up on this board over the last year: [http://www.barackobama.com/issues/technology/](http://www.barackobama.com/issues/technology/) > **[Issues Archive - The Office of Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/)** [http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/](http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/) [http://www.mittromney.com/Issues/index](http://www.mittromney.com/Issues/index) > **[johnedwards.com](http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/)** > > campaign finance reform policies,vice presidential candidate speech,election fundraising strategies [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama\_vs\_mccain/](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/) So I think you pick the wrong board and wrong thread for your post. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000/200 "2008-11-04T20:25:56Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Don’t know if this will help, or just reconfirm what you already know. . . Yep. Already knew. I understand his position on this and know he’s gone further in the right direction than any other presidential candidate. It’s just somewhat disappointing he’s not as progressive on this issue as I would like. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-officially-election-day/471000.md?page=11)