# Strange happening at the polls **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 7, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-happening-at-the-polls/640299 "2012-11-07T23:49:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-happening-at-the-polls/640299/1 "2012-11-07T23:49:12Z")
While I was filling out my ballot, suddenly I heard, very loudly, the first few notes of the NBC theme. I figured somebody had forgotten to turn off their cell phone. Instead, the chief election judge for our polling place announced to one and all, “We have a first time voter!” Everybody cheered mildly. My husband said she did the same thing this morning, although without musical accompaniment. When he and I voted for the first time, we just voted. There was no fanfare. I’ve been an election worker a couple of times years later and this never happened, either. Has anyone else seen/heard anything like this? Moderators: If this thread should be in Elections, feel free to move it. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-happening-at-the-polls/640299/2 "2012-11-08T00:08:46Z")
When I was in line, the 1000th voter was voting. No music, just a mention. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-happening-at-the-polls/640299/3 "2012-11-08T00:22:51Z")
I’ve worked the polls a few times, and it just depends on what kind of sense of humour and/or pride the pollworkers have. I mean, voting is/was important enough that people fought hard for the right, and yet so many people still don’t think it’s worth the effort. So anything to mark the day is a good thing, I think. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-happening-at-the-polls/640299/4 "2012-11-08T02:57:54Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > While I was filling out my ballot, suddenly I heard, very loudly, the first few notes of the NBC theme. I figured somebody had forgotten to turn off their cell phone. Instead, the chief election judge for our polling place announced to one and all, “We have a first time voter!” Everybody cheered mildly. …and then you woke up. Wait, that really happened in a non dream capacity? Freaky. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-happening-at-the-polls/640299/5 "2012-11-08T03:05:08Z")
I voted about two weeks ago but while I was in line one of the poll workers announced that he had a first time voter and everyone applauded. It was kind of nice. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-happening-at-the-polls/640299/6 "2012-11-08T04:58:23Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > I voted about two weeks ago but while I was in line one of the poll workers announced that he had a first time voter and everyone applauded. It was kind of nice. Ehhh…I like being nice, but if the person isn’t young or new to the country, it’s a little like applauding someone for finally paying taxes their first time, or giving them a gold star for flushing the toilet. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-happening-at-the-polls/640299/7 "2012-11-08T05:30:30Z")
I lived in Oregon in 2004 when I turned 18 and voted for the first time. Oregon does all mail-in voting. ☹ There was no fanfare for me ☹