BS: Lines at the Polls

Subject: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 08:44 AM

I will try again - this went walkies a minute ago.

I arrived at my polling place at 7:15AM to two lines of 200+ people each. This was after waiting for a parking spot for about five minutes.

The place was packed with young and old, people in wheel chairs, people with babies, people in suits, people in jeans. Some were wearing Obama buttons. I saw no McCain voters proclaiming their support.

I have always said that if someone could motivate high scholl and college students to vote, we could change the direction of the country. Someone did. There were groups of awkward teens registering with pride. Apparently, it is now "cool" to vote.

I hope the enthusiasm carries over to the "minor" elections where a single vote really can make a huge difference.

Anyone else vote today?

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: GUEST,Justin Urquart
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 08:52 AM

Funny I thought that myself looking at those waiting to vote. I says I betcha there isa a line or two of coke in there boy.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 09:01 AM

By the way, I was asked only for my name. When there were duplicates of my name, they asked for my address. No ID. In fact, a large sign at the door said that it was illegal for them to require ID from a registered voter. Those registering had to provide a Driver's Licens or some proof of residence - a utility bill, a tax bill, a check book.

There were also numbers clearly posted if someone had a problem and a note that even if your vote was challenged you had the right to vote a provisional ballot with the understanding that you would probably be required to proove residence later.

I have never seen such care taken to make people's rights clear.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Azizi
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 09:45 AM

I voted at 7:30ish in Pittsburgh, PA.

For some reason, about five years ago, my voting location was changed from a public school that is about a block away from me to a cultural center that is about 7 blocks {up and down hills}. My neighbor across the street still votes at the school. She told me that she voted at 7AM and the lines were long {which is unusual}.

It's an unseasonably warm day in Pittsburgh, and that will probably add to what was already going to be an uncharacteristically large voter turnout. The cultural center where I vote has three different voting districts. I didn't have to wait in line, and there didn't seem to be a line in the second floor voting area that is entered from the outdoor stairs. However, the other voting area that is on the same floor next to mine had a line going out of the door. And the poll worker who I know said that many more people are voting then usually do. I should note that there were five people behind me in line, and other people were coming in as I left.

Fwiw, the demographics for the people who vote at each of these locations that I mentioned are mostly African Americans. I expect that Barack Obama will receive at least 97% of the vote from African Americans in Pittsburgh, PA and elsewhere. And I expect that Obama will win Pittsburgh and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And at the end of this very long election, Obama will be America's President-Elect!

Hallelujah!

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 09:53 AM

The worst thing that could happen right now is for anyone to become complacent and decide that their vote won't matter. Every vote counts. And in local elections, every vote is critical. So...don't count your chickens before they're hatched. We have a long night ahead of us.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:02 AM

YOU have a long night! Our "Election Special" programmes here begin at midnight... There will be a lot of bleary-eyed office workers phoning in sick tomorrow...

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: jeffp
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:02 AM

Get out and vote, folks! I'll be going after work myself. I'll definitely be going. My state is solidly for Obama, but there are lesser races and ballot questions that make things interesting too. Besides, it's a duty.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: CarolC
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:03 AM

I'm heading out in about an hour and a half to do some more canvassing for Mr. Obama to help make those lines even longer. And that's part of the good news. The Obama people haven't let up... they're working very hard to get out the vote.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:06 AM

In my small town in Maine (4000 population) there is only one polling place and the line-up at 8 am was only long enough to delay voting for about 20 minutes. I expect the lines in the late afternoon and early evening will be longer. Polls close here and statewide at 8 am.

I'll be coming back much later in the evening to monitor the vote count and report the results to the local candidates, the county committee, and the state HQ. In 2006 the vote counting did not conclude until 2 am and I expect it will be even later this time around; we're still using paper ballots.

As soon as polls close I'll be out on the road collecting campaign signs, and carting them off to our local political recycling shed.

Things look good in most races in Maine for Democrats, with the exception of the U.S. Senate race where Republican Susan Collins is expected to be re-elected by a wide margin.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: CarolC
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:08 AM

BTW, anyone besides me who lives in a battleground state, and who has the time... the Obama campaign needs people to get out and canvass for them today. People can call their local Obama headquarters to find out where to go and what to do.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Big Mick
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:08 AM

DO NOT BE COMPLACENT!!! I don't care what you hear on the telly, even if it looks in the bag, you get up off yer royal backside and get to the polls. Remember 2000 and 2004, and remember that we are looking for a mandate here, and a rejection of the destruction of our society and its most important ideals. We must send a clear message to the world that we intend to rejoin in with our friends from around the world, in a sense of real partnership and leadership and restore the direction to a more caring and progressive planet.

DON'T MAKE ME COME OVER THERE!!!

All the best,

Mick, takin' it home.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:10 AM

"...working hard to get out the vote". I have to admit, it sounds like a line from a mining song. Or perhaps fishing.

Whatever, work hard folks! And I agree with SINSULL about not being complacent; true of any election. X% + 1 vote is always better, for all values of X.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: MaineDog
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:18 AM

In my tiny town in Maine, I called the town hall last Thursday, and asked if I could vote then. They said yes, come on in.
When I arrived, they handed my my personal absentee ballot, all filled out except for the votes and the signature. No id required.
In a civilized place we all know each other, and value each other.
MD

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:26 AM

Because of so many problems in the past, Ohio has tried to rectify the situation. Early voting has made a difference already as the lines in the major cities are not (at this point) very large at all. There was a massive turnout during the early voting period.

Here in little Bremen in rural Ohio, our polling location (2 blocks away) was well equipped with working voting machines, at least 3 times more than in the past. They offered paper ballot options and had three screened tables setup to accomodate 9 people at a time for that option. Our touch-screen machines were easy to use and gave you multiple options for review and change before casting the ballot including a review of the printed ballot. Karen and I were gone from home only 25 minutes.

There are a few adnvantages to living insmall town America...............

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:38 AM

Seen today on a blog I read (don't blame me!)

Why do Americans have to queue for so long to cast their votes? Is it just another aspect of the general American concern to make it tricky to cast a vote that's been kicking around for quite a while now, or is there something else going on that I don't know about? Or do the press just pick up on the long queues in some particularly inefficient parts of the country, even though most Americans can just pop along to the local polling station and cast a ballot in a minute or two, as in the rest of the democratic world? From my memory of living over there ten years ago, Americans don't much like queuing. Not like us Brits, anyway.

I think Charley may have supplied the answer, or part of it -

In my small town in Maine (4000 population) there is only one polling place

One polling station for 4000 voters? When I go to vote it's at a polling station which serves about a fifth of that. They have five or six booths set up (with pencil-and-paper voting an extra booth isn't expensive), and I'm in and out in five minutes.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Maryrrf
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:39 AM

In Mechanicsville, Virginia (just outside Richmond) I turned up at my polling station at 6:15 and couldn't believe my eyes. The elementary school parking lot was full, cars parked all down along the side of the rural road and off onto the side roads....I turned around and went home. I'll leave work at 3:00 o'clock and vote in the afternoon. I've always voted early in the morning and have never had to wait more than 20 minutes to half hour or so. This turnout is amazing!

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:42 AM

Population: 4000 does not mean 4000 eligible voters.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:56 AM

I suppose the thing is, you are holding a whole bunch of elections together, which makes it more complicated. With us it's normally just one, or maybe two on occasion, so it' sin and out in a couple of minutes and never any queueing in my lifetime.

But those massive queue do seem to indicate that there is something wrong. Supermarkets have pretty complicated transactions going on, but they are generally able to keep the queues relatively short.

But it's impressive seeing those people waiting for hours to cast a vote, reminiscent of the first free South African election.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 11:11 AM

I just voted in Maryland...on Diebold machines. One of the initiatives on the ballot was to allow early voting...and it's already been decided to do away with the machines.

This was the longest line I had been in during my 25 years voring here, but it still took only about 20 minutes. There were about 12 machines, and it all done very efficiently.

It's really interesting how, when standing in line, no one even attempts to talk about their voting preferences.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Janie
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 11:33 AM

I work in the same building as what used to be my home precinct. No lines at all because there was a huge early voting turn-out. This precinct is made up of mostly professional folks and well-to-do retirees.

I voted early, but drive past what is now my new precinct location, located in a rural AME church, on my way work. At 7:40 this morning, there was literally a traffic jam there from cars parked on the berm (church lot full and out of parking), and folks arriving and departing the polling place. There was a lengthy serpentine line of people that cirled the church and then wrapped about 1/3 of the way around the edge of the parking lot. Lots of people with smiles, cheerfully standing in the rain, chatting with their neighbors, as they quayed up to vote.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Becca72
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 11:33 AM

I got to my polling place around 8:10am and walked right in. The whole process took about 10 minutes. This is only my 4th presidental election that I have been eligible to vote in, but was certainly the fastest! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 11:55 AM

Anybody been busking the queues?

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 11:57 AM

No but I wish I had the good sense to sell coffee on this morning's line.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 12:04 PM

Population: 4000 does not mean 4000 eligible voters.

Why not? That would be the assumption over here, at least assuming the 4000 didn't include minors.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: GUEST,Neil D
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 12:21 PM

Our polls in Ohio opened at 6:30. I got to mine at 6:35 and waited in line 30 minutes and by timing voters and counting heads estimated it would be another 50 minutes to vote. I had to get to work and besides I couldn't stand much longer on my bad leg. I will try again tonight fortified with painkillers and a camp chair. I certainly don't want to miss out on helping to make history.
   On my way to work I passed 3 other polling places all busier than mine. Probably 200 or 300 at each site. Two of those were also located in my small town (5000 people plus a surrounding township).
This has to be the greatest turnout of all time, not only in total votes, but in percenatage of the population voting.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 12:27 PM

I saw them saying on TV that the rule is, so long as you are in line by the time the polling station is due to close, you'll be able to vote, no matter how long it takes. But no one will be able to join the queue after that time.

I can imagine a few problems arising with that last bit, with people arriving while the polling ststion is still open, and not being allowed to vote...

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 12:54 PM

SINSULL...we vote in the area's High school, and the PTA does sell snacks....a pretty complete selection. It is indoors, and there is room for quite a long line inside the building, and the snack area is right near the main doors. They looked like they were doing well.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

It's good to hear...(for Democrats like me)...that in a contested state like N. Carolina, volunteers like Carol C. are still pushing and helping get all possible voters to the polls. It would be wonderful to hear about 8PM that Obama had carried NC due to all that effort!

Go get 'em Carol & Jack.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Marion
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 12:54 PM

Reminds me of this article from 2004:

US inspires world

Good luck today, my American friends, and thanks for waiting in those lines.

Marion

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: irishenglish
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 01:01 PM

Despite our polling place being literally next door to us here in Manhattan, my wife and I decided to vote as early as we could. We got outside at 6:15, had a wait of a half an hour, followed by about 20 minutes further wait inside the voting rooms. It was a little hectic, but I will say that I had to run an errand for my boss today in another part of the city, where I passed another polling place. Line out the door. I also walk by another school/polling site in Brooklyn where I work, just now at mid-day-not quite around the block, but people waiting to get inside the building. Now folks are right about not being complacent. As an Obama supporter, I thought, my god, here in liberal NYC, lines are out the door. As an American, I am touched that for the first time in my life, we are seeing more people voting, whomever they choose.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 01:06 PM

Thanks for the link, Marion. I've been very inspired, too. So gratifying to see the lines here in Western Colorado, yet no long waits. Brought tears to my eyes to see so many people claiming their right to vote.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 01:53 PM

My Husband and I went about 10:00 this morning, and we waited in line for about a half hour. Not that long compared to alot but for this little town, was very encouraging. Been on the phone making sure everyone of my kids remember to vote. Just about all are voting for Obama.
For any mudcatters in Indiana, Vote and DITCH MITCH

    mmm1a

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 02:02 PM

No lines here. The whole process took about five minutes. Ah, the joys of living in the boondocks.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: mmm1a
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 02:06 PM

Sorry that last guest post was me . Didn't see my cookie wasn't set.
    mmm1a

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 02:19 PM

The 4000 does include minors and I will bet money if a baby is born today sonmeone will cross it out and make it 4001. It is a very small town.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Nancy King
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 02:31 PM

Just got back from voting in Kensington, Maryland. No line at all, to my surprise. Maybe that had something to do with the fact that it was 2 pm, and not prime time for the before-or-after-work crowd. Actually, the only time I have EVER had to wait at all here was in last spring's primary, when it took about 20 minutes. I've always been able to go at off-peak hours, since I had a peculiar schedule when I was working. Anyhow, I hope the lack of lines didn't mean low turnout.

One thing that surprised me was that there was no gaggle of people trying to thrust campaign literature at everyone approaching the building. In the past we've really had to fight through the throngs of pamphlet-people. This year there was just one table, and the lady asked if I'd like a sample ballot, which I didn't need. Don't know if the rules have changed about electioneering, or what. But I do like it better this way.

So if you haven't voted yet, DO IT!!

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 02:46 PM

Sinsull is correct about Richmond, Maine. Our total population is about 4,000; the eligible voters are about 3,000 and I would expect about 70% to vote this year. And though there is only one polling place in town, the high school, once you get there and get through the line there are 8 voting cubicles.

It would speed up the counting process considerably if they would use optical scan forms. In some of the larger towns in Maine such forms are used and each voter feeds them through the scanner, and the form is available if there is need for a recount.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: EBarnacle
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 03:25 PM

I just got back from Challenging for my local candidate. Arrived at the polling place at 5:45 and, because the local board of elections had screwed up, had to persuade the person in charge to call the board and verify that I was the Challenger at Large for Obama in my part of the county. Thus I got to do my job without visible credentials.

The line when I arrived was about 100 people for 3 precincts, all voting in the same location. By 9 AM, we had handled more people than the regular workers, all of whom had worked the elections for years, had ever seen in a general election before.

About 10% of the voters ended up placing emergency or provisional ballots due to screw ups with the motor/voter system or due to late registration [within the last month].

By noon, about 30% of the enrolled voters had done so.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 03:32 PM

What does a challenger do? This thread is fascinating to all of us(I imagine) who are not in the USA. Keep the little details coming, not often we get the chance to read history being made in real time.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Janie
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 04:59 PM

The North Carolina Board of Elections had predicted 2 million voters today, but are now backing off that figure, and reports from around the State are that turn-out is not particularly heavy - possibly attributable to a very high early voting turn out.

It has been raining here all day, and that probably also has an effect. I recently heard something on NPR that bad weather is more likely to keep working class folks away from the polls that higher income folks.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: GUEST,beardedbruce
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 05:07 PM

"I recently heard something on NPR that bad weather is more likely to keep working class folks away from the polls that higher income folks. "

Since all previous comments have been that ONLY Republicans try to lower the vote count, and weather is an act of God, this seems to imply that God is a Republican....

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Little Hawk
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 05:12 PM

If God is a Republican, then all hope is lost... ;-) The same would be true if God were a Democrat....not quite as bad, mind you, but it would still be a friggin' disaster!

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: GUEST,beardedbruce
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 05:14 PM

Well, *I* did not claim that only Republicans tried to reduce the vote count, so it is NOT my responsibility.


I had thought God was more of a Green Party type...

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Folkiedave
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 05:18 PM

I thought you knew that already Bruce.

Why do Americans have such long queues? Can they not organise things properly? I have voted in every election in the UK for over 40 years. Never queued more than five minutes.

Do they need some UN observers? Certainly sounds like it.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: artbrooks
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 05:43 PM

Why do Americans (sic) have such long queues? Personally, I keep my hair cut short and don't have a queue at all. Oh - you meant what we call lines? The easy answer is that in some places we do but in most places we don't. Other possible reasons are:

We typically have many more things on a ballot than voting for a single MP position. For example, my ballot here in New Mexico included the President, a Senator, a Representative, a State Senator, a State Representative, County Councilman, Water District representative, about 20 judges, 5 bond issues and 4 amendments to the state constitution.

The polls are staffed with paid employees of the County Clerk's office (which oversees elections here in New Mexico), volunteers and representatives/observers/challengers from the various political parties. However, the numbers of staffers is based upon the anticipated turnout. Heavier than expected numbers result in delays - even when, as now, the number planned for is much higher than normal turnout.

Ditto with polling machines, supplies, etc. My polling place at the primary election planned for 25% more than normal, and still ran out of ballots. We use paper ballots, by the way.

Problems are minimal, but there are always a few. These are typically the result of either misunderstandings or an individual trying to take on authority he or she doesn't have.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 06:15 PM

It's really interesting how, when standing in line, no one even attempts to talk about their voting preferences.

Bill D, I think it's because we're a little superstitious. I want to go in and think that my vote really counts, and might be added onto the one going in before and after me. I don't want to hear (as I did, two weeks ago, when I voted) the woman behind my glibbly confide to the Republican judge candidate campaigning outside the polling area that she voted for her on a straight ticket. I hate to think my vote was cancelled out by that twit. ;-)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 06:23 PM

Yep...I think that has a lot to do with it. And of course, we don't need arguments at the polls....

To answer the question about long queues/lines: This election is just beyond anything we have ever dealt with. We have more people registered than ever before, and a larger % of those are voting. Some places are just swamped. They couldn't BUY enough voting machine in time, and even places where printed ballots are used, they weren't sure how many to print.

   Oregon had it covered...they do ALL voting by mail...early. it may come to that in other places.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 06:32 PM

"31,268,357 voters have cast votes early in America, which represents 25.3% of the total of all ballots cast in 2004. Nobody doubts we are headed for an absolute record turnout in this election.

22.5% of Americans cast their vote early in 2004, and if that number held true for this election, then 138,970,474 Americans will end up casting ballots."

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 06:36 PM

One polling place here, and no line. I got back just a little while ago. There were cops directing traffic around the entrance/exit. There were a whole bunch of folks directing people to parking spots. I walked in and thought there was a line, but there wasn't. Told the registration-checking guy my name and other confirmatory info, got my ballot right away, sat at one of the shielded stations and wrote my choices, checked out with the registration person at the other end and stuck my paper ballot in the machine. Getting my foot long $2.99 meatball sub at Subway on the way home took slightly longer, but I'm not complaining about either.

(Now watching TV: Obama is leading 52% to 48% in Indiana, a traditionally Republican state.)

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 06:40 PM

My largest beef with the lines is that in Virginia they seperate voters into two lines: A thru L and M thru Z for last names... This is not fair because every time I go to voye there are 200 people in the A thru L line and none in the M thru Z... One would think that they know that most of the voters ain't in the M thru Z category and change it to maybe A thru P and Q thru Z but do they ever do that???

Heck no, they don't...

But I got out in 55 minutes and left me 6 hours to canvass for Obama before my feet gave out...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Melissa
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 07:10 PM

We have about 300 registered voters in my town..this evening was the first time I have ever waited in line (which was actually just a guy standing outside the door waiting for the room to clear out a little bit) and I'm impressed by our local turnout.

This is a very small town and the only stickers/signs/etc I've seen this season have been for Obama.