# Why I'm up at 5 freakin' a.m. -- what's your Election Day like? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 7, 2006, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413 "2006-11-07T11:50:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/1 "2006-11-07T11:50:52Z")
First stint as a “Precinct Election Official”, more widely known as “those old ladies at the voting place.” Gah! I have to be at the polls at 6 and stay until it’s over, which if all goes well will be about 10 p.m. I have food (Pepsi, stick cheese, crackers, leftover Halloween candy), my cross-stitch, a book (A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore), and the latest issue of Kraft’s Food and Family. Hubby promised to bring hot food at noon. I wonder how the voters will feel if they have to poke my shoulder and wake me up. The sun’s not even up!! So what’s your election day going to be like? Are you voting? ---
**Author:** ![furlibusea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@furlibusea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furlibusea)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/2 "2006-11-07T12:02:52Z")
I am up for the same reason… good luck. ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/3 "2006-11-07T13:05:31Z")
I was up at 5 to carpool into the city with Mrs. WeHaveCookies, who opens the coffee house she works at 5 mornings a week. I drink coffee and blearily squint at TheDope untill it is time to catch a train to my office. I’m using voting as my excuse to leave the office at a decent hour this evening. I’m leaving at 5pm on the dot! Our precinct closes at 7pm. How many other folks have different precincts for national vs state/local elections? ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/4 "2006-11-07T13:31:08Z")
My election day was like this: there’s not adequate parking at my polling spot, the line was already out the door and into the parking 15-min. before the polls opened, there were people handing out literature well within 25-ft. of the polling entrance, none of the volunteers could figure out how to demonstrate the touch-screen voting, and upon leaving people had parked along the entranceway, so that incoming people blocked people from exiting and thereby freeing up the few parking spaces. Everybody was remarkably patient, though – or maybe, still half-asleep. Except for the people who had to deal with Overly Officious Election Supervisor; that happens every election, though. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/5 "2006-11-07T14:15:36Z")
I voted before coming to work. I am always with the same little group of folks waiting for the doors to open at seven every election day. The only hitch in voting today was that unlucky me got the lady who does not have a clue how to cleck the roster (it’s all electronic) to verify that I am indeed me. When I saw the place in front of her open up and realized I was next I was filled with doom! I looked pleadingly at the Election’s Supervisor who smiled at me and went and stood behind her to coach her cause I swear she’d taken ten minutes with the last person. Bless her heart, she’s sweet as she can be but that new fangled machine just seems a leeetle beyond her capabilities. Still, I was outta there in fifteen minutes thanks to the help of the Supervisor. Let me say this to all you you who are pool workers today. Thank You! It takes a lot to stay there all day and voting could not happen without you. If I could bring cookies to everyone of ya I would. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/6 "2006-11-07T14:21:01Z")
I am up at 5:00 freakin’ am every day, so that won’t be new. I will be voting, in all likelihood. ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/7 "2006-11-07T14:45:19Z")
Hey thanks, precinct officer people, I know you get paid next to nothing for doing this civic duty. Keep a sharp eye out this year…I think somebody might try to get away with something shady. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Reloy3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c68b51/32.png) [@Reloy3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reloy3)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/8 "2006-11-07T17:18:52Z")
Thanks for the work. I voted as soon as the polls opened this morning. Now I’m sitting at work getting calls from well-wishers and biting my nails waiting to see if I won or I have to find a new job tomorrow. Regardless, I am taking the next two days off to detox and take down my campaign signs. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/9 "2006-11-07T17:28:23Z")
I couldn’t sleep much past 5 anyway, as usual. And I voted already without incident. AuntiePam, you must be pretty young, if you feel like sleeping that long - yet election officials are usually senior citizens and your name isn’t exactly hip/young/now. Whatever your deal is, bless you for helping! ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/10 "2006-11-07T17:36:30Z")
[QUOTE=swampbear] Let me say this to all you you who are **pool** workers today. Thank You! It takes a lot to stay there all day and voting could not happen without you. If I could bring cookies to everyone of ya I would. [/QUOTE] Bolding mine. Yeah, if you’re working at a pool today, stay warm. :smack: Thank you _poll_ workers. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/11 "2006-11-07T17:38:11Z")
Got to the polls at 6:50, discovered they open at 7:30. WTF? Went home, editted _Westfront 1918_ that I DVRed last night from Turner Classic Movies and set it to burning to DVD. Went back, still in the first 25 folks at 7:30, wondered who the hell the guy in a suit standing in the way was, voted and came to work. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/12 "2006-11-07T17:44:02Z")
I voted a little after 8 o-clock. There was a short line (only 2 voting machines) and everything seemed normal except I had an option to cast a straight party ticket for the Greens yet there weren’t any Greens on the ballot 😕 ? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/13 "2006-11-07T17:45:47Z")
My polling place this morning was the most crowded I’ve ever seen it. Luckily, I live right across the street from where I vote, so I didn’t have to worry about finding a parking spot. I’d also like to add my voice to those expressing gratitude and appreciation to election workers. I always try to make sure I thank them at the polling place as well. They deserve the pat on the back. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/14 "2006-11-07T18:02:14Z")
I had a 14-hour train ride from Atlanta, and got to Metro at around 10:10. Walked home from there, just in time to miss the Democratic canvasser, and I’ll be voting sometime today, most likely soon. And of course, at some point I have to do my homework… ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/15 "2006-11-07T18:09:08Z")
I voted about a quarter-to-8 and had only 1 person ahead of me in line. Having abandoned the computerized system, I could fill out my ballot (“complete the arrow”) somewhere besides a booth, and then send it through the scanner. A little more “work” but am glad there is a paper trail. Also the first time I ever voted without my wife since our marriage (she had to leave for work early). And yes, I’ll be wearing my sticker all day. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/16 "2006-11-07T18:26:24Z")
Got up around 7:15. Was going to polls at 11 (after AM Jeopardy! – there is also a PM Jeopardy!) but Constance Zimmer (new womon on Boaston legal, played the ex-nun on Joan Of Arcadia) was on Megan Mullally, so I waited for that. It was abou 11A:30, and thought about waiting for after lunch, but decided to go. I bicycled to th elementary school. Poll workers probably outnumbererd voters in the gym, overheard it has been pretty busy but this was as slowest it has been. Filled out the ovals (just like taking the SATs\*) and stuck my sheet in the machine. (always have done the ovals, but they used to haul all the balots to the county seat for counting). Mine was vote 417. Brian - Probably less stressfull, at least for most people. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/17 "2006-11-07T21:54:31Z")
Since I moved to Lafayette five years ago, I’ve voted at the art museum. However, the precinct map in Sunday’s paper suggested that I should go to a Lutheran church to cast my ballot. So I went there about 1 p.m., only to find that the map was wrong and that I had to go to the [museum](http://www.dcwi.com/~glma/about_history.shtml) after all. I walked over and found (to my relief) that I was still on the list of registered voters, although there was a guy in line ahead of me complaining because he had been told that his precinct voted at the county fairgrounds. So he had gone there, only to be told that he was supposed to be at the art museum. But the poll worker at the museum said that the man had been correct to head for the fairgrounds in the first place, so the poor would-be voter (who was young enough that he was likely attempting to exercise the franchise for the first time) had to return to the fairgrounds and see if he’d be allowed to cast a provisional ballot. At any rate, I finally cast my ballot on a touch-screen machine without further incident, and got the last “I voted today” sticker on the sheet (although there were plenty of still-“mint” sheets left). I had (but declined) the option to vote straight-ticket Libertarian, as well as Democrat and Republican. Indeed, I chose candidates from each of those parties. I thought I was informed about even the minor races (township trustee, county assessor, etc.), only to discover that four of the state Supreme Court justices were up for re-confirmation. They weren’t running against opponents – the question was simply whether each should be retained in office or removed. I just hope I didn’t choose to keep a real crook or throw out any particularly distinguished jurists! ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/18 "2006-11-07T22:09:29Z")
I worked the polls four years ago, and I wish you the best of luck. I arrived at my polling place at around noon today. My polling place is located inside the local public school, so I had to park across the street. At the polling place, however, I turned out to be the only non-poll-worker present. I spent around four minutes filling out the bubbles, and placed it into the box. I was the 75th voter of the day, which, while not altogether surprising, was still disappointing. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/19 "2006-11-07T22:22:42Z")
Got up usual time, walked to the polls, found out that even though there were about 20 people in line ahead of me, I could vote right away (because I was the only person in line who’s last name started with A-L), played with the voting machine for a second (what does the touch screen do if I don’t pick a candidate? Just so you know, the vacant spot blinks on the conformation page), made my choices for real, changed my mind on a parks bond and voted yes for it after all, cast the ballot, got to work about a half hour late, spent my morning doing research for my boss, went to the bank to deposit a check, ate lunch, got coffee, came back, got a call from a client who wanted to postpone our scheduled call, reminded her once again that she had to send me documents before I could do the work she wants me to do, got a call from another client who asked me for something I couldn’t help him with, recommended him to a contact of mine at the FCC, and that’s it. I’m going to go home, read a little bit, maybe play Mercenaries on the X-Box, order a pizza, watch House and the election coverage, try to call a friend I haven’t talked to for a while, and then go to bed. And that’s my election day. ---
**Author:** ![ladybug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@ladybug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladybug)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2006, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413/20 "2006-11-08T00:14:19Z")
I had two publications on deadline today and couldn’t afford to miss time at work, so I opted for early voting this year. I would definitely do this again. In the past I’ve waited on line for up to an hour to cast my vote. When I voted on Sunday afternoon, I was finished within 10 minutes. It was nice going to work this morning and knowing that I wouldn’t have to rush to the polls at the end of the day. Many thanks to **AuntiePam** , **furlibusea** , and all of the other poll workers who volunteered for this duty. I hope your day went well. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-im-up-at-5-freakin-a-m-whats-your-election-day-like/379413.md?page=2)