Today is voting day for many local elections in the USA. I just came back from the polls, and was #432 for my precinct.
We have paper ballots, but you can use the (single) electronic voting machine. I used the electronic one, and was told I was only the fourth person to do so today. So less than 1% used it so far.
When I stood at the machine, which did NOT have a curtain around it, just two small privacy “wings”, I noticed that the glare from the overhead spotlight prevented seeing the screen unless you approached it from the side. And if you moved to the side, you were exposing the ballot screen to the entire room. I was able to point that out to the Head Honcho, and she allowed me to turn out that row of room lights. Much better!
Given that Dopers are 37.5% more hip and 19% more advanced than the general public, I would imagine Doper Voters used the electronic method if it was available. So did you vote, and if so, what kind of ballot did you use?
Didn’t vote today, no elections scheduled where I live. When I do vote, I’m on the list to receive my ballot by mail. I can take all the time I want to fill it out at home, then drop it in the mailbox. The postage is even prepaid.
Tucson, AZ, if my location matters.
Our local election has become interesting. One candidate received a single vote more than the next.
But we still don’t know who won, as the clerk reports that 11 absentee ballots of the 70 that she sent out still haven’t been returned.
State law now requires all absentee ballots postmarked the day of the election or sooner to be counted, if they arrive within 3 days after the election. That three days is up at mail delivery time today.
Absentee ballots that arrive before or on the day of the election are counted with the manually-cast ballots, so those are already accounted for.
The election board will be meeting today at 4PM to open and tally all ballots remaining, if any. The vote tally could go either way and either candidate could win.
Just to finish out my story…one absentee ballot was received before the deadline, but the clerk invalidated it since it didn’t have a witness’ signature. So we’ll never know if it would have changed the outcome of the election (the envelope wasn’t opened).
The losing candidate has until next Wednesday to ask for a recount, but he has said he won’t. So the candidate with the one vote lead is the winner unless the loser changes his mind.
My town’s entire annual budget it 5 million dollars. We vote on paper with markers still and by God we like it that way.