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.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 07:11 PM

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???

Probably just as well they don't.

Good luck America. I'm fearing the worst but hoping for the best.

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

Amy and I got up early to vote (she has a 9:00 class), got there a bit after 7:30, got in the wrong line, got in the right line, and were out by 8:40, no sweat. I had my League of Women Voters tabloid; a handy thing, that.(this is like a small newspaper that these lovely nonpartisan people put out listing the candidates, their education,occupation, etc (provided by the candidate) and a short statement by the candidate if they choose to provide one. They also list the various issues on the ballot, with the pros and cons.)
You know, it bewilders me that so many people usually wuss out on voting here in the USA, when people have died so we'd have the privilege to do so. And there are people in the world who risk, and sometimes give, their lives for the same. Excuses like a bit of bad weather, or waiting in lines, just don't cut it with me. {getting off the soapbox now}

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 08:39 PM

I am so proud of my kids. They all three voted and both of my daughters called me from their polling places; one wanted to make sure of a voting guide I'd given her and the other was just calling because she knows how important it is to me that she vote AND teach her children about it, too. My son did a mail-in weeks ago and they ALL voted for Obama!! OH, and so did my brother and sisters!

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Bobert
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 08:44 PM

Good work, Mom (kat).... I'm proud of all o' ya'lls... Sniff... Sho nuff am....

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: LilyFestre
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 09:43 PM

I was #11 this morning at about 7:05am where they were already having some trouble...the entire list of surnames beginning with the letter B were missing.....not good. Not good at all.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 09:44 PM

Voted (Lin and I) 4 days ago. Early voting set up and running for a couple of weeks. Son voted about 4 days before we did, but I had to wait for info on a couple of local candidates.

I believe our place had 7 machines (Diebold but with paper print of the ballots visible as we made selections). We saw two voters(?) coming out as we drove in. There were 2 inside voting when we got to the line, and one other came in before we left. Since we prepared before going in, under two minutes there.

Word here was that 40% of eligible voters had already done the deed by the weekend, although they were expecting some waits for the other 60% today. No news reports of any long lines today - although the news is pretty well saturated with the national "predictions" and other inanities.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: jeffp
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:21 PM

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. ;-)


Stilly, just think of it as your vote cancelling out the votes of that twit. Makes it into a positive thing.

Cheers!

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 10:27 AM

It was an amazing turnout for our small town. There were actually about 2000 registered voters a week or so ago, and 2200 voted in the election. That's more than 100%! Well, about 200 more registered to vote on Election Day which is permitted in the State of Maine.

I was at the polling place until 2 am until the final votes were tallied. Obama actually carried our town with 56% of the vote, verses 60% statewide.

One of our local senate races was a cliffhanger, with 15 votes separating the two candidates from our unofficial results. We'll see what math errors we made this morning.

Judy, who works for the Clerk of the House in the state legislature didn't get in till 4 am, and now she's back to the office, having picked up 3 hours of sleep. The Democrats reinforced the majorities in both the State Senate and House.

My mother at the age of 91 was thrilled by the outcome of the Presidential race, saving she never thought she'd live to see such a win.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Alice
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 10:34 AM

In Montana, they were announcing on tv to NOT BELIEVE THE TEXT MESSAGES that had been sent out to many Montana cell phones that Democrats had to vote on Nov 5 because the lines were too long. With an hour still before the polls closed, they had to alert people that there were bogus texts trying to block votes for Obama. Since most of the young voters in the state went for Obama, I wonder how many got that text message and believed it.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Alice
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 10:36 AM

Here is an image of the text message:

false text message

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: ranger1
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 11:10 AM

Jason and I went to vote around noon yesterday and the line was almost out to the street, but unlike Bobert's polling place, most people were in the L-Z category so Jason and I didn't have to wait for very long. And the school that is our polling place was having a bake sale by the door.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: PoppaGator
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 11:35 AM

I was at work from 5am till 8:30 pm yesterday as a poll commissioner at New Orleans' 8th ward, 16th precinct. Since Katrina, our precinct no longer votes in the neighborhood school, which has not reopened. Instead, we are one of FIFTEEN precincts sharing space in a large meeting hall on the University of New Orleans campus.

When I arrived, about an hour before the polls would open, at least 200 people were lined up waiting to vote. For the first two hours (6-8) voters were arriving in a fairly steady stream. The organizers set up signs outside, one for each precinct, so folks could queue up separately by precinct, which helped immensely; the precincts in question are not nearly equal in number of voters, so folks in the less-repopulated areas (like ours) could get in and out relatively quickly. After that first two-hour rush, only two of the fifteen precincts required the lines/queues to be maintained; voters in the other thirteen could come right in and vote pretty quickly.

There was a person from the Sectetary of State's office on duty out front, equipped with a laptop, to direct voters to the correct precinct (if they didn't already know, which most don't).

After that early rush, voters come in pretty modest numbers the rest of the day. We were all anticipating (and dreading) having to remain open for hours after official closing to take care of long lines of latecomers. (As has been noted, anyone who arrives by closing time of 8 pm can vote, not matter how long the line, no matter how long it takes.) That never materialized. We didn't even experience much of a rush after 5pm, which we all expected. Between the massive "early voting" (pre-election day) and the large numbers arriving in the early morning of election day, almost every one who was going to vote at all had done so by midday.

The results in our heavily-African-American precinct: 152 voters, 150 for Obama, 1 for McCain, 1 undervote (i.e., someone who voters for one or more other offices or propositions on the ballot, but not for President).

I've been amusing myself, trying to guess who that one McCain voter might have been. Could it have been one of our six white voters? Well, I can definitely rule out five of the six: my wife and I, our two sons, and our neighbor Jane the transsexual master carpenter. That leaves the New Orleans policeman who lives on the next block and is registered as a Democrat ~ maybe him, but probably not. We had TWO black voters registered as Republicans, and man and one woman. One of those two probably cast the single vote for McCain.

Someone mentioned above that they were surprised that no one waiting to vote was talking about the candidates or the issues. That should not have been so surprising; there are rules and regulations against "campaigning" at the polling place ~ which should be understandable, when you think about it ~ which include prohibitions against wearing buttons or even clothing (t-shirts, etc.) advocating a candidiate or an issue. These laws differ, at least sligthly, from state to state, but they are pretty universal and I think most voters are aware of them and tend to observe the spirit as well as the letter of such laws by not discussing their preferences with other voters while at the polls.

McCain won the state of Louisiana, as expected, but Obama definitely carried the city of New Orleans. Im pretty hopeful about the future right now, a feeling to which I am not particularly accustomed.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 11:39 AM

20 minutes.

Only one Diebold machine had died 3 hours into the election at my polls.

This year I was allowed to vote without a provisional ballot or being a victim of ballot trickery which once lead to my ballot being tossed for an over vote infraction.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 01:11 PM

Well, it turns out there were two math errors among towns in our local senate race, transposing the results from one column to another, and now our Democratic candidate has beat the Republican incumbent by 126 votes. It's the icing on the cake.

No doubt there will be a recount but I would expect the result to hold up.

Now to go out for another van full of campaign signs. Well, maybe I'll take a nap first.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 06:41 PM

My local area is the most densly populated area in Australia as it's mainly apartment blocks & I have a choice of 2 Polling places in my part of this area. One is a school, the other a church & both bodies tend to use the day & the captive audiences to raise funds! As the church is on the main road most folks vote there & the lines can be long, so I tend to wander down the side street & vote at the less-crowded school & then wander back to the church as their fete is better!

Voting is compulsory in Australia, & we vote on Saturdays between 8am & 6pm, but we also have pre-polling for folks who can't attend a Polling place for religious, health or other reasons, & absentee votes for folks out of their area on the day.

Our Polling places are distinguished by posters & crowds of eager volunteers handing out leaflets. We vote using pencils & paper ballots, in shielded booths where leaflets are allowed but must be removed before the next person votes, either by the voter or an official.

More info on Australian voting here

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: GUEST,beardedbruce
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 09:41 PM

November 6, 2008
Report: '08 turnout same as or only slightly higher than '04
Posted: 01:55 PM ET

From CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart


North Carolina had the highest increase in voter turnout, according to a report released Thursday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – A new report from American University's Center for the Study of the American Electorate concludes that voter turnout in Tuesday's election was the same in percentage terms as it was four years ago — or at most has risen by less than 1 percent.

The report released Thursday estimates that between 126.5 and 128.5 million Americans cast ballots in the presidential election earlier this week. Those figures represent 60.7 percent or, at most, 61.7 percent of those eligible to vote in the country.

"A downturn in the number and percentage of Republican voters going to the polls seemed to be the primary explanation for the lower than predicted turnout," the report said. Compared to 2004, Republican turnout declined by 1.3 percentage points to 28.7 percent, while Democratic turnout increased by 2.6 points from 28.7 percent in 2004 to 31.3 percent in 2008.

"Many people were fooled (including this student of politics although less so than many others) by this year's increase in registration (more than 10 million added to the rolls), citizens' willingness to stand for hours even in inclement weather to vote early, the likely rise in youth and African American voting, and the extensive grassroots organizing network of the Obama campaign into believing that turnout would be substantially higher than in 2004," Curtis Gans, the center's director, said in the report. "But we failed to realize that the registration increase was driven by Democratic and independent registration and that the long lines at the polls were mostly populated by Democrats."

Some experts also note that national turnout trends may mask higher turnout in swing states with more intensive attempts by both campaigns to get their supporters to the polls. Several large states, including California and New York, had no statewide races and virtually no advertising or get-out-the-vote efforts by either presidential campaign.

According to the report, several Southern states — North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, and Mississippi — and the District of Columbia saw the greatest increases in voter turnout.

Overall turnout was highest in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, South Dakota and North Carolina, according to the report.

In 2004, 122 million Americans voted in the general election.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: CarolC
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 09:48 PM

It's important to note that a large percentage of votes in several states were early votes, so I would expect that while the percentage of voters who went to the polls on Tuesday may not have significantly increased, the number of people who voted in this election would be a fair bit higher than that.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: Ron Davies
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 10:21 PM

"downturn in number and percentage" of Republican voters.

Gee, that must mean Sarah wasn't as much of a hit as hoped. And some still feel McCain was too much of a maverick for them.

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: beardedbruce
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 05:00 PM

updated 1 hour, 5 minutes ago

   Number of votes cast set record, but voter turnout percentage didn't

Story Highlights

About 127 million votes cast, shattering 2004 record by at least 4.3 million votes

Turnout percentage about 61 percent, compared with 1960's 67 percent

Early voting tracker: 31.7 million voted early in at least 30 early voting states

North Carolina, Maine voters set record-breaking turnouts

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/06/voter.turnout/index.html

Subject: RE: BS: Lines at the Polls
From: beardedbruce
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 05:02 PM

"The percentage of registered voters casting ballots this year is projected at 60.7 to 61.7 percent, according to the center -- a figure much lower than the modern-day record set in 1960 -- 67 percent.

Democrat Barack Obama's campaign is credited with building a sophisticated organization at local levels in key states that energized voters to register and to stand for hours in line to cast early ballots.

Nationwide, early votes totaled at least 31.7 million in at least 30 early voting states, said Michael McDonald, a professor at George Mason University.

McDonald, who also produced projections of voter turnout, estimated Friday that 130.9 million ballots were cast by 61.5 percent of Americans who were eligible to vote. The final tally is expected to be counted by early December, he said."