I'm getting out to vote...

[oggbashan]

In the UK many elections are decided, not by those who voted, but by those who DIDN'T vote.

That is particularly true for City Hall and County elections. The number of those who are registered to vote but didn't bother to outnumber the sum of the votes cast for all the candidates.

Some party workers are good at getting their supporters out on the day. Other parties? Their support can drop like a stone if the weather is wet or cold.

Sometimes I despair of the electorate. My elderly, and now deceased, female relations fought and worked hard to gain the right to vote. All their descendants vote because we know how precious our votes are.

Og

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Sometimes I despair of the electorate. My elderly, and now deceased, female relations fought and worked hard to gain the right to vote. All their descendants vote because we know how precious our votes are.

Og

I feel the same way. When I was a kid, I watched Mary Poppins and asked my great aunt what suffragettes were. She gave me a book about Lucy Burns and Alice Paul. I will never ever take my right to vote for granted.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Just got back.

Lines were minimal, and no problems with voting machine, but like others have posted, it's the best turnout for any election I've ever seen.

That fact, I think, bodes well... but we'll see... I'm still nervous.

 

[sr71plt]

Voted at 1045. No line. But I did have to endure the curses of the election workers. (I bugged off as election precinct chief before the "big one." They were friendly until I announced that I'd slept in and had a leisurely breakfast before coming to the polls.)

 

[Selena_Kitt]

They were friendly until I announced that I'd slept in and had a leisurely breakfast before coming to the polls.

Well that was just mean!

 

[epiphany65]

Just got back.

Lines were minimal, and no problems with voting machine, but like others have posted, it's the best turnout for any election I've ever seen.

A high turnout is a good sign for Obama. I'm one of those people who really mistrusts those Diebold machines. just a few days ago they were testing some and they registered votes for Ibama as voties for McCain. In a recent Simpsons episode, no matter how Homer voted the machine said "That's one vote for President McCain."

 

[sr71plt]

Well that was just mean!

Did I mention that I took them a box of donuts?

 

[Kev H]

You can go into the polling place knowing, intellectually, that your vote does not matter. Yet the very action of voting is very encouraging, emotionally--I came away feeling like I exercised my liberty, my right, to vote. And, that's a good feeling, regardless of the reality.

 

[DesertPirate]

You can go into the polling place knowing, intellectually, that your vote does not matter. Yet the very action of voting is very encouraging, emotionally--I came away feeling like I exercised my liberty, my right, to vote. And, that's a good feeling, regardless of the reality.

Bullshit! Every vote counts.
In 1982 a very conservative Dem named Harold Runnels passed away after the primary in NM. He was so conservative the Reps didn't run anyone against him. Bruce King, the Dem Governor appointed his nephew to take the ballot spot. A write in campaign sent Rep. Joe Skeen to Congress. Only the 3rd time in US history a write in went to Congress.

Wife and I had a 5 Min wait to vote here at 10AM.
We will see how #1 Daughter and her Hubby do now.

 

[sr71plt]

Bullshit! Every vote counts.
In 1982 a very conservative Dem named Harold Runnels passed away after the primary in NM. He was so conservative the Reps didn't run anyone against him. Bruce King, the Dem Governor appointed his nephew to take the ballot spot. A write in campaign sent Rep. Joe Skeen to Congress. Only the 3rd time in US history a write in went to Congress.

Wife and I had a 5 Min wait to vote here at 10AM.
We will see how #1 Daughter and her Hubby do now.

I guess you are not aware of the electoral college system? I've voted in every election I was eligible for, but because of the electoral college system, my presidential vote hasn't meant squat for the last forty years.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I guess you are not aware of the electoral college system? I've voted in every election I was eligible for, but because of the electoral college system, my presidential vote hasn't meant squat for the last forty years.

Plus, if you're in a state where the polling margin is huge for the other guy... it can be rather daunting. I usually feel that way when I go to vote, but this year I'm a little more hopeful. Folks around me are still voting for the "other guy" but there are lots more places here in this state this year who aren't...

 

[sweetness6280]

Just got back. No lines at the small elementary school a couple of blocks from our house, but a steady stream of voters. No last minute campaigners either.

The system was good, first time I had used the touch screens. We had a little access card which was programmed with our info by the election clerk. Screens are easy to use, and easy to correct if you make a mistake.

A lot of people here voted early, but they are still expecting crowds this evening.

 

[freshface]

I requested my absentee ballot in March. Candidates mailed me campaign literature. The Registrar of Voters mailed me campaign guides and sample ballots. For some reason, they could never manage to send me an actual ballot. I e-mailed a complaint when I missed the primary and they promised to that I would have a ballot forty days in advance. When I e-mailed another complaint three weeks ago, they e-mailed the ballot to me and I returned it via fax. No secret ballot for me this year, but at least I got to vote.

Living in Europe, I have to go to bed tonight before any results are reported.

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Living in Europe, I have to go to bed tonight before any results are reported.

It may be easier that way. Hopefully you can wake up to conclusive election results. Maybe.

 

[DeeZire]

11am, no line. The best thing about voting for me is the fact that the booths have open backs. Every time I vote I see at least one butt crack. (College town.)

 

[freshface]

It may be easier that way. Hopefully you can wake up to conclusive election results. Maybe.

Oh, I certainly hope so. Of course, that assumes that I manage to sleep tonight.

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Oh, I certainly hope so. Of course, that assumes that I manage to sleep tonight.

I know! I think I may take a nap this evening, so I can stay up forever.

 

[OhMissScarlett]

According to Facebook's voting tally, Over 2 million Facebook users have voted. I wonder if that's even remotely accurate?

 

[matriarch]

I requested my absentee ballot in March. Candidates mailed me campaign literature. The Registrar of Voters mailed me campaign guides and sample ballots. For some reason, they could never manage to send me an actual ballot. I e-mailed a complaint when I missed the primary and they promised to that I would have a ballot forty days in advance. When I e-mailed another complaint three weeks ago, they e-mailed the ballot to me and I returned it via fax. No secret ballot for me this year, but at least I got to vote.

Living in Europe, I have to go to bed tonight before any results are reported.

Mat Jr. has told his employers that he will be in late tomorrow, and he reckons he can last until 4am, with caffeine and popcorn, watching all the results come in. He's been voting for 10years now in UK, and I think he's as excited about this election as he was watching the UK general election results the first time he voted.

 

[Belegon]

No line at the Luthern church where I voted... but most of the booths were filled even at 10:30 am.

I love the knowledge that my voice is out there. And coming from a military family, I am always very aware that my ancestors contributed to my right to speak up.

 

[THROBBS]

Long lines at 8am.
went at 2PM...NO waiting.

Sadly, a black man in his 60's(?) was having some difficulty (it appeared he was no tregistered).

He said, "Well I am not traveling all over to vote, Obama's not going to win anyway. The white people won't let a negroe become president. They hate negroes, jews and women."
One of the poll workers politely asked him not to make political statements. He replied, "I'm just sayin' the truth!"

Sad that he feels that way. I am sure he has experienced it. In THIS town, I am sure that Obama is favored.

 

[Safe_Bet]

A high turnout is a good sign for Obama. I'm one of those people who really mistrusts those Diebold machines. just a few days ago they were testing some and they registered votes for Ibama as voties for McCain. In a recent Simpsons episode, no matter how Homer voted the machine said "That's one vote for President McCain."

I want an Obama landslide before 5:00 so that all the fundy Republicans say screw it and go straight home. That will mean that many fewer vote in favor of Prop 8.

 

[glynndah]

I voted at 8 this morning in the village hall. The election judges usually outnumber the people voting, but not this morning. There were about a dozen or so people waiting this morning when I got there. The wait was pretty short. Most of the hold-up was spent searching for the "magic election" pens (black Bic Sticks) which kept walking out the door or getting left in the voting booths.

 

[epiphany65]

I want an Obama landslide before 5:00 so that all the fundy Republicans say screw it and go straight home. That will mean that many fewer vote in favor of Prop 8.

Here in Canada there's a blackout on the media voting results until ALL polls have closed. So, hours after those on the east coast have finished voting the results from way out west only begin to trickle in. I find it annoying but I can see how it's fair.