Go Vote Tomorrow! Today!

Nov. 4, 2008 at 12:27 AM

I first voted my senior year of high school. I went with my parents to our little polling precinct and cast my vote on a punch card. In years since, I have punched, used computer touch screens, and used paper when the computers went down. In 2000, I almost didn't get to vote as the Michigan "motor voter" process did not change my address as it was supposed to.

Tomorrow, I can't teach my string classes, as my school is a voting site and my "rooms" are being used for voting and a book fair. So I am taking a personal day and standing in line early. I don't need a repeat of the last eight years. My choice may not be yours, but please go vote tomorrow so we all are heard (Then, unless you are against free handouts, go get your free Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, etc...).

From Anne Horvath
Posted via 97.82.24.139 on November 4, 2008 at 1:48 AM

I am not sure about voting lines here, but I plan on bringing a book: Albert Spaulding's autobiography Rise To Follow.

One of the advantages of living in a state that will be no contest at all in the electoral college is that there have been no robo calls, canvassers, rallies, or other such staples of election time.

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted via 18.4.1.146 on November 4, 2008 at 2:45 PM

I waited in a 5-minute line and got to work on time. There are definitely some advantages to not living in a swing state!

From Anne Horvath
Posted via 97.82.24.139 on November 4, 2008 at 2:47 PM

It took 20 minutes for me: Short line in the "G-H" ballot line, and really long, but fast moving line in the feed-the-machine line. I didn't even need the book, except as a tiny desk to color in the ovals on the ballot.

And bless the county officer that decided on a "no cell phone usage at the polls" rule. It was with great glee that I pointed out the posted rule to the toxic yuppie standing next to me that was yammering away pointlessly on her cell phone.

From Elizabeth Reed Smith
Posted via 206.212.31.35 on November 4, 2008 at 4:14 PM

Took me 30 minutes. Worth the wait.

I was pleased at how many of my college students have voted.

From Rosalind Porter
Posted via 82.39.3.200 on November 4, 2008 at 7:06 PM

Watching with interest from the other side of the Pond, I'm wondering whether any of you noticed visible differences from past election polling days? For example, more younger voters or more voters from minorities? There's certainly been a lot of comment in our media about how in the past there has been a lot of support from younger generation voters for particular candidates but when it came to actual voting, many of them simply forgot/couldn't be bothered etc to turn up and actually vote, which made a big difference statistically in the long run.

I get the impression so far that this is perhaps not the case this time around? Any of you agree? Turn-out seems to be really high from watching the pictures - and of course considering those who have voted early.

Well, I'm planning to take a nap now and get up later to hopefully watch history being made!

From Sean Gillia
Posted via 171.159.64.10 on November 4, 2008 at 7:17 PM

Took about 2 minutes in Park Slope, Brooklyn, which is an Obama stronghold, so we saw virtually no political attention during the entire electoral process. Barely saw a tv ad, and then only at the end.

Apparently, my polling place was really crowded early in the morning, but I went at 11:30 am, Took my 11-year-old with me. There was a certain vibe -- a little electricity -- in the air that I don't think was completely my imagination.

From Elizabeth Reed Smith
Posted via 206.212.31.35 on November 4, 2008 at 8:37 PM

I agree that there was more excitement at the polling place than usual. Since ours is very much a neighborhood polling place, it probably represented the same demographics as usual - but more people, for sure. My husband had to wait an hour later in the morning when he went.

From Donna Clegg
Posted via 98.242.75.192 on November 4, 2008 at 10:37 PM

With 3 to 4 hour waits in Metro Atlanta last week for advanced voting, I took the easy way out and faxed in an application for an absentee ballot at the last minute. It arrived the next day and I cheerfully dropped it off Monday afternoon. I was so last minute in deciding to vote this way that I dared not risk mailing it in. I thought nearly everyone voted electronically now and am surpised at the comments about paper and pencil ballots from different areas of the country.

From Corwin Slack
Posted via 69.151.196.13 on November 4, 2008 at 10:54 PM

I hope you didn't meet a member of a civilian security force dutifully protecting our free election process like this.

From Corwin Slack
Posted via 69.151.196.13 on November 5, 2008 at 2:28 AM

Maybe things like this added to your long lines today.

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