# Polling place fuckup! I was turned away on my first attempt to vote **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 2, 2004, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532 "2004-11-02T13:31:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/41 "2004-11-02T18:39:32Z")
No problems here. I was in and out in 5 minutes. Most of that time was spent filling in circles (instead of the connect the lines that we used to have) for the judges. My ID wasn’t even checked when I signed in, however, the person to my right checking in had hers checked. _Shrug_ ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/42 "2004-11-02T18:40:50Z")
> [@TwoTrouts](#): > > I was surprised at the attitude displayed by one poll worker. I gave him my personal info and party affiliation in response to his questions, signed on the line and was passed on to the next worker to get my voting card. In passing me along, he leaned over to his coworker and sneered/growled “Another _Democrat_!” You have to reveal a political affiliation in order to be able to vote? :eek: What happened to secret balloting? ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/43 "2004-11-02T18:41:51Z")
We vote with pencil and paper too. Like standardized testing. ---
**Author:** ![TwoTrouts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@TwoTrouts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoTrouts)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/44 "2004-11-02T18:58:22Z")
> [@Bookkeeper](#): > > You have to reveal a political affiliation in order to be able to vote? :eek: What happened to secret balloting? I was taken aback by the question myself. There was a sign out front indicating that we would need to supply: Full Name, Current Address, Date of Birth in order to verify the records were correct. No where did the info state that Party Affiliation would need to be supplied as well. On the card I had to sign, the second coworker had written “D28”, signifying that I was the 28th democrat to pass through. This must be for a statistical study or something of the sort (I hope). The guy in front of me stated that he was a registered Independent, then felt compelled to say that he would be voting Republican. Therefore, he got a smile from the snarky worker. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/45 "2004-11-02T19:02:58Z")
> [@TwoTrouts](#): > > I was taken aback by the question myself. There was a sign out front indicating that we would need to supply: Full Name, Current Address, Date of Birth in order to verify the records were correct. No where did the info state that Party Affiliation would need to be supplied as well. Maybe they were using the instructions from the primary election? ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/46 "2004-11-02T19:03:01Z")
> [@kka](#): > > So do we! Pffft, I pity you and your truly backwards and… “quaint”… pencil and paper voting system. :: sniffs with disdain :: WE have PENS and paper. ---
**Author:** ![absoul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@absoul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/absoul)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/47 "2004-11-02T19:08:31Z")
Pencil and paper voter here. I found a spot right in front of the polling place. I was in and out in less than 5 minutes. I got there about 45 minutes after the polls had opened and the sign in sheet showed I was the 480th person in. Go Daschle! Kerry doesn’t have much of a chance here… this is South Dakota after all. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/48 "2004-11-02T19:08:53Z")
> [@Eva Luna](#): > > I feel completely helpless and semi-disenfranchised. Also, I left a 1 lb. package of roasted almonds that was in my bag somewhere along the way this morning – I hope I left it at home rather than in the voting booth. It’s very unlike me to completely lose track of things like that. I can see the headlines now: “Polling Place Evacuated Because of Mysterious Package.” Police evacuated a polling station today when a mysterious woman with a fake ID abandoned a package at the station. It turned out to contain one pound of roasted almonds. Authorities are currently closing in on the suspect. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/49 "2004-11-02T19:14:58Z")
> [@Jomo Mojo](#): > > Fairfax County, Virginia: I pit YOU. You disgusting disenfranchising fuckups. How many other polling place fuckups happened today across America? What a coincidence. The same exact thing happened to my parents, in neighboring Loudoun County, Virginia! They had to wait for 30 minutes before they were told they had to vote at a different location. ---
**Author:** ![Lathe\_of\_Heaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Lathe\_of\_Heaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lathe_of_Heaven)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/50 "2004-11-02T19:16:49Z")
> [@Bookkeeper](#): > > You have to reveal a political affiliation in order to be able to vote? :eek: What happened to secret balloting? Heck no–I’m registered independent. But in the various counties I’ve lived in (all in California, YMMV), the voter rolls have your name, address… and party affiliation. Presumably this comes in handy during the primaries, so they know which party’s primary ballot to give you. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/51 "2004-11-02T19:22:25Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Voted touchscreen in Florida. > > No problem. One hour from start to finish. I also did touchscreen here in Maryland, but I was in and out in under 10 minutes, and that included reading all the initiatives and propositions that needed to be voted on. An older gentleman next to me seemed to be having trouble with the “next” button, but someone came over to help him. I think he thought “next” meant he was done. They said we needed our voter registration cards and ID on the morning news, but all I had was my ID. I have no idea where my voter registration card is; somehere in one of the file cabinets, I guess. I’ve never needed it before. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/52 "2004-11-02T19:39:26Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > I can see the headlines now: “Polling Place Evacuated Because of Mysterious Package.” Police evacuated a polling station today when a mysterious woman with a fake ID abandoned a package at the station. It turned out to contain one pound of roasted almonds. Authorities are currently closing in on the suspect. On the bright side, I found the almonds, so if that happens, it’s not my fault (they had fallen into the depths of my bag when I tried to dig out my ID and mail). On the not-so-bright side, My Day in Administrative Electoral Purgatory, Part II Ran out at lunchtime in an attempt to change the address on my driver’s license – it’s halfway across downtown, but I know the secret location where you can be in and out in 5 minutes. At least, I was the last time. Would you believe the Secretary of State’s Office closes for Election Day? I love Chicago. Oh well – it’s good that I did the provisional ballot thing this morning, then, rather than trying to change my license and go back after work, when everyone’s nerves will be frayed and the line will be even longer. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/53 "2004-11-02T20:00:28Z")
> [@Ferret Herder](#): > > We moved between the primary and the election, and updated our voter registration via the “Moter Voter” system. Imagine our surprise when we showed up to vote and weren’t registered. At least a few hundred (IIRC) people had their new registrations “lost” somewhere. So thanks a fucking lot, IL Secretary of State’s office, for screwing that many people out of the chance to vote then. If your state allowed registration at the polls on election day, like many other states do, you would not have been screwed out of your chance to vote. It just would have taken you a bit longer, to register first and then vote. People should work toward making this standard nationwide – it would spoil most of the ‘vote suppression’ tricks! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/54 "2004-11-02T20:07:05Z")
> [@Eva Luna](#): > > At least, I was the last time. Would you believe the Secretary of State’s Office closes for Election Day? I love Chicago. Oh well – it’s good that I did the provisional ballot thing this morning, then, rather than trying to change my license and go back after work, when everyone’s nerves will be frayed and the line will be even longer. Good luck. I hope it works out for you! ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/55 "2004-11-02T20:09:37Z")
> [@nyctea scandiaca](#): > > What a coincidence. The same exact thing happened to my parents, in neighboring Loudoun County, Virginia! They had to wait for 30 minutes before they were told they had to vote at a different location. I just heard about this happening to a friend of mine in Loudoun County as well. What the hell is going on around here? ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/56 "2004-11-02T20:42:10Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > If your state allowed registration at the polls on election day, like many other states do, you would not have been screwed out of your chance to vote. It just would have taken you a bit longer, to register first and then vote. > > People should work toward making this standard nationwide – it would spoil most of the ‘vote suppression’ tricks! Yeah, what was the point of requiring advance registration? I suspect it dates from the time when cross-checking of records on the fly was impossible, and when Chicago was the place where one voted early and often. With all the IT capabilities we have in this country now, why cant we do better? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/57 "2004-11-02T20:43:35Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > I can see the headlines now: “Polling Place Evacuated Because of Mysterious Package.” Police evacuated a polling station today when a mysterious woman with a fake ID abandoned a package at the station. It turned out to contain one pound of roasted almonds. Authorities are currently closing in on the suspect. “Democratic leaders decried the package of almonds as a Republican attempt to suppress the Nut-Allergy vote.” ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/58 "2004-11-02T20:56:13Z")
> [@Eva Luna](#): > > Yeah, what was the point of requiring advance registration? I suspect it dates from the time when cross-checking of records on the fly was impossible, and when Chicago was the place where one voted early and often. With all the IT capabilities we have in this country now, why cant we do better? I guess I was under the impression that it was to give them more lead-time to print up sufficient ballots for each precinct. Though now that I think about it, I guess the states with registration up to the day of voting must just wing it and hope they’ve printed enough extra to cover both “spoiled” ballots as well as an unexpected turnout. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/59 "2004-11-02T20:56:50Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > I also did touchscreen here in Maryland, but I was in and out in under 10 minutes, and that included reading all the initiatives and propositions that needed to be voted on. I was in line for 45 minutes, then I had 15 pages to go through on the monitor. Then I went back and double-checked everything, since this election is SO important. We’ve got people here waiting four hours to vote, then others are whipping in and out. I guess it depends on your precinct. One of my co-workers had his precinct combined with another due to hurricane damage at his orifinal polling place, so his wife is going to pack a picnic dinner and they’re going to go after work and wait in line. As long as you’re in line by 7pm, they’ll let you vote. I shudder to think what will happen if someone comes up at 7:05pm and is turned away. This has been an ugly campaign and emotions are running high. ---
**Author:** ![Liz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/liz/32/17737_2.png) [@Liz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532/60 "2004-11-02T21:19:34Z")
I voted at 2:30 [EST] and didn’t have any problems. I’m a first-time voter, so I expected some – took my license, SS# card and You Are Registered postcard. I gave the kindly elderly woman my name, and she checked me off and had me sign the sheet. I was thrilled, to say the least. We vote with the punch card thingies. You slip your ballot into a holder that has a book attached. When you flip the pages, the holes on your ballot line up with the choices displayed on the page, then you punch the corresponding hole. I was done in five minutes – would have been shorter, but I went slow and read everything twice. Made sure to check twice for hanging chads, too. :rolleyes: **TwoTrouts** , that poll worker was way out of line. Fuck him and the elephant he rode in on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polling-place-fuckup-i-was-turned-away-on-my-first-attempt-to-vote/272532.md?page=4)