Share Your Voting Experience Here - Long Lines, Young People, etc...

[elizabethann]

I haven't voted yet. I'll go tonight after work, and hopefully things will be a little slower then. I'm hearing a ton of folks are waiting in never before long lines and that they are seeing many many young folks in those lines, which is awesome. Funny, some "older" person said "all those young folks had baseball caps on and they were all backwards". I thought that was cute.

So I'm just curious. What was your experience today at the voting booths? Did you have a long wait? Were there a lot of young folks? Etc.

Thank you!

[MoonandBean]

I went at 8am. There were about 10 people in front of me and 10 behind me. I think everyone looked "middle aged". The people registering the voters; they were old :) We had paper ballots and could vote as straight democrat or republican or vote for each candidate separately. We had one issue to vote on which was whether to spend 4 billion dollars fixing all the water lines in the state.

[lvpets2002]

:) Well this time I did have a experience when I went to Early Vote.. I had this T-Shirt on with Cartoon Cats on it and I had my button on of Why Be Normal.. Well the Electorial Judge was sitting across the room from me & could not see the button or the shirt real good.. She stood up & demanded me to show her the button & shirt.. She thought it was something to do Political.. She made some rude remarks && after I showed her my shirt & the button then she was ok.. Well today they non-stop on the news announced for no-one to even think of wearing political on any clothing.. They said if you do then you will be refused at the voting polls.. Well there is my experience.. :p

[kuhio98]

:) Well this time I did have a experience when I went to Early Vote.. I had this T-Shirt on with Cartoon Cats on it and I had my button on of Why Be Normal.. Well the Electorial Judge was sitting across the room from me & could not see the button or the shirt real good.. She stood up & demanded me to show her the button & shirt.. She thought it was something to do Political.. She made some rude remarks && after I showed her my shirt & the button then she was ok.. Well today they non-stop on the news announced for no-one to even think of wearing political on any clothing.. They said if you do then you will be refused at the voting polls.. Well there is my experience.. :pWell, that's just crazy. You have the right to wear whatever you want. Even if someone wears a political message, so what? They can't refuse you your right to free speech or your right to vote.

Our experience ~ No line at all. Senior citizen volunteers working the polling place. No young people voting while we were there. But, we went in the morning. I imagine it is going to be a ZOO after work today.

Hopefully, people will vote up until closing time. Unfortunately, with the time difference, election results sometimes get announced while we're still voting. :( Very disheartening. I think it's going to be so close this election that there won't be a clear winner while our polls are still open.

[Cincy'sMom]

I have not voted yet. Four years ago I tried to go before work, waited 45 minutes, found out I was in the wrong line and decided I better get to work. When I went back after work, there was no wait. This year I decided to wait until after work. I hope I don't regret it....

[catlover4ever]

I got to my polling location at 7:15 am, walked in and was behind about 7 people. That took only around 7 minutes. Got my ballot, went to my booth, filled in the blanks and deposited my ballot into the counting machine. That took me all of 11 - 12 minutes. Hubby will go tonight and I told him to just be patient as in our town most people vote between 4 - 7pm.

P.S. as for being refused at a polling station because you are wearing something policital....yes they can refuse to let you vote. You actually can not get within 75 feet of a polling location with anything political. I'm not sure of the reason why, I just know that you can not, as I have wore many t-shirts and held many a political sign in my life...as a matter of fact my mom is out there today, holding signs for local races here in CT, and she will later take the numbers from the polling location that she is at today and report them to the appropriate committees with the results.

[Karen]

We just went, voted, no line, no waiting. As we have Question 3, banning commercial dog racing, I said to Paul "What, not even one greyhound?"

But as we were leaving, up walked greyhound and owner. Brisby is 11 years old, and they had been there since 9 am, so had gone home for a break. He's an old man, after all. But we chatted for a bit, and I did take his picture, which I'll post later!

[Lady's Human]

The ban on politically oriented clothing is a matter of law.

In New York no electioneering is allowed within 100 feet of a polling place, and that includes political slogans/candidate messages on clothing. I believe in Massachusetts it's either 100 or 200 feet from a polling place.

[ramanth]

I voted! I went at 10:30 and only had about 5 people ahead of me. All age ranges... I even had a teen in front of me voting for the first time. :D

I was home by 11. :)

[shais_mom]

I went about 1130am and took Keegan with me to wait in the car with the window open smelling the fresh air.
I'd never been in that church before but had no problem finding the fellowship room with the signs and following the 2 older ladies ahead of me.
Ran into a friend (co-worker's sister) she's 19 and her boyfriend who was voting is 31 so there was that age span. I saw several younger people. Several older people too. The older guy beside me was having problems with the computer and was getting rather frazzled.
I went to leave and couldn't remember which door I was to go out b/c the sign said "fire exit" and under it "MEN" I didn't want to go to the men's room so I just stood there a second and someone said "yup that's the exit! and women can go thru it too!" lmao - when I opened the door the men's room was across the hall!

[caseysmom]

The ban on politically oriented clothing is a matter of law.

In New York no electioneering is allowed within 100 feet of a polling place, and that includes political slogans/candidate messages on clothing. I believe in Massachusetts it's either 100 or 200 feet from a polling place.

This is true and our local news folks have been reminding everyone, some polling places even have hospital gowns on hand just in case.

[AdoreMyDogs]

I early voted a couple weeks ago. There was about 10 in line ahead of me, and 10 or so behind me. It was quick, easy, and Quinn couldn't get "Elmo" out of her head, so I said to the clerk that my daughter is also going to vote, and she's voting for Elmo. We all had a good laugh. Then Quinn showed the clerk her belly button and said "a butt" (she shortens button with "butt" sometimes) which was funny.

There was a 96 year old man in front of us that was voting. The surprising thing is that I wouldn't have guessed him to be over 80. He looked great for 96, walking well and upright, good posture, good skin, healthy body. It was really neat seing someone so old doing so very well.

[RICHARD]

I saw a news report where some local precincts were given pieces of string measuring 100 feet so they could just whip it out and measure.. THat way there would be no question as to the distance.:eek:

----------

Here's some Cooler Knowledge, The overnight sports guy gives some sports-related tidbits that 'make you look smarter' you meet up with someone at the water cooler....

This one was politics and football related..

Joe Paterno, head of the Penn State football program, has been the coach there for 11 presidential elections.

Don't ya feel really smart now? ;)

[smokey the elder]

There are signs near polling places that say "This is 100 feet to a polling place". I remember them being more common in Massachusetts when I was growing up.

[Daisy and Delilah]

I went at 10:00 a.m. My precinct is normally 75% elderly people. Today, it was all ages. I saw many more younger people than in the past. It always amazes me and makes me happy to see some of the people that come out that normally don't get out much. i.e. people on oxygen, in wheelchairs, very old, and other reasons. They make it out to vote, no matter what.

I was there a total of 10 minutes. The most memorable thing was the girl that signed me up and gave me a ballot. The moment I reached the table, she excused herself and started coughing violently, blowing her nose violently, etc. The poor thing sounded like she needed to go home and go to bed. I was a little disturbed that I had no hand sanitizer with me.:( Her fellow workers were worn out from obviously hearing this all morning. I hope she's okay and eventually went home.
On that note: she was fairly young. I've never seen a worker at my precinct that's under 55.
Overall, it was a good experience. At least until I hit the center of town and noticed hoards of people holding up "the other candidate's" signs. Oh well.:p

[Pam]

Not much to report here. I got there at 8:30 and there was one man in my line. As I walked up he went into the booth. By the time I finished signing my name he was out of the booth and I went right in. ;)

[RICHARD]

There are signs near polling places that say "This is 100 feet to a polling place". I remember them being more common in Massachusetts when I was growing up.

I guess that's shorter than "There are 50 people in line ahead of you".
:confused:


Come to Cah lee Fuh Nee Ah, Voting is fun out here!

[lizbud]

I got to the polling place at 9:30 & had voted & left in 1 hr. 30 mins. The line was long
but once inside the bldg, it went pretty quick.I was glad to see both old & young people voting.
From teens to old folks with walkers.

[k9krazee]

I went at 1:30 and was in and out in 10 minutes. There were lots of "youngin's"....but it is a college town afterall. Nothing unusual or interesting to report though.

[RedHedd]

I'll be voting after work. The line this morning @ 7:30 a.m. was half a block long! :eek: I hope they have ballots left when I get there! This is SO exciting!

[caseysmom]

I got there right after 8:30 and there was a small line, I heard at 7 there was a huge line.

It was exciting! There was someone taking pictures of a 19 year old voting for the first time.

[CathyBogart]

Well, two weeks ago I sat down at my kitchen table and filled out my ballot. Stuck it back in the envelope, and walked out to the mailbox. No lines, no fuss.

[Suki Wingy]

I'm about to go now. It'll be my first time voting.

I think it's funny because of the time differences it looks like some of you are claiming to have voted in the future from when it says you posted. :p

[prechrswife]

I went around 9 this morning. I had to wait briefly behind one guy because one lady was temporarily manning both the "S-Z" line and the alphabetical section right before it. There were a number of people voting, all ages. I was in and out fairly quickly. There was a LOT of early voting in this area, which I think is keeping the lines down today.

[caseysmom]

I'm about to go now. It'll be my first time voting.

I think it's funny because of the time differences it looks like some of you are claiming to have voted in the future from when it says you posted. :p

Congratulations! Good for you!

[zippy-kat]

Walked in, voted, walked out. Not a single person in line ahead or behind.

The people running it were relishing the break; they said they'd been super busy until now.

[Donnaj4962]

I just got back from voting. As I pulled into the parking lot, I didn't see many cars, so I was thinking there may be no line. I walked right up, verified my precinct, showed my ID and signed in. Then I waited in line for about 1/2 an hour. Not bad considering there were 2 separate precincts in one polling place and only 3 machines!

There were young and old, and me in between!

I have voted in every election since I turned 18.... something I am proud to do and proud that I have done!

I hope the long lines don't deter anyone from voting.

The workers said that the line at the time I was there was the shortest it had been all day. A couple of workers were actually taking a lunch break! I am sure it was the first break they had gotten all day!

[sirrahbed]

Hubby and I went shortly after the polls opened and there was about a 30 minute wait to get checked in - then about 15 minutes to use the machines. Not bad at all I don't think. There was early voting available so that is bound to have helped. I always enjoy seeing neighbors there and so chose to vote in person. I was a little surprised to be offered machine or paper ballots. There was no line whatsoever for paper. But I waited anyway because there were very few places to actually sit and do the paper - plus I enjoy the atmosphere. Folks looked much more serious than usual - I did notice that - also a few young people but maybe only 2 or 3.

Oh yes and I also got a back rub from the cute grandpa guy in back of me;) He asked me to go home with him so I did!

[caseysmom]

Oh yes and I also got a back rub from the cute grandpa guy in back of me;) He asked me to go home with him so I did!


Wow more action at the polling place, I really feel slighted:D

[ramanth]

Black Panthers out at a Pennsylvania polling station...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neGbKHyGuHU

[caseysmom]

Black Panthers out at a Pennsylvania polling station...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neGbKHyGuHU

The guy in the background finally saying "I think I am going to call the police" duh that should have been done immediately!

[anna_66]

I voted about 2 weeks ago because I knew I'd be working today.

I did hear many different stories. Some said the lines weren't nearly as long as they thought (about an hour).
Others said the line was more than 3 hours long!

Again, glad I voted early:)

[lizbud]

Black Panthers out at a Pennsylvania polling station...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neGbKHyGuHU



Was this a isolated incident, do you know? The state election board should have been called about this stuff. The local PD or State Police
are the ones to provide any "security" needed at polling places.

Totally uncalled for.

[Suki Wingy]

I got it done insanely quick, probably 20 minutes from pulling up to the library to leaving. We went out to look at this cool property with a horse barn and other buildings that my dad is looking at buying first, so I got to pick the stickers off of my shirt while I was waiting because I went and fell into a sticker bush thingy.
Does anyone know how many elections Nater has run in so far? It seems like he's always running.

[CountryWolf07]

I voted absentee, 4 weeks ago. I did it because I wouldn't be home, but I still wanted to vote.

[ramanth]

I think it was an isolated incident. I was flipping channels this morning between CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News.

The Fox News reporter had been on location at that specific polling location all morning interviewing the public. When I was channel surfing, I saw he was interviewing the tall Black Panther member with the sunglasses. The police had already escorted the one with the nightstick off the premises earlier.

The Black Panther was arguing with the reporter demanding to know what he was doing there and what not. The reporter simply wanted to know why they were there intimidating voters and carrying a night stick. The guy never gave a straight answer and denied that he was there or that the other guy had a nightstick. :rolleyes:

After the fact, I went online and a friend had shared the You Tube video.

Here's a report of the clip I saw on TV..
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/04/black-panthers-vs-fox-new_n_141083.html

[Cincy'sMom]

Stopped on me way home...no line in and out in under 15 minutes....

[elizabethann]

Voted tonight. The parking lot was packed. There were more people talking and hanging around than there were voting. I walked in, stood behind one guy, gave them my name, took a ballot, walked in the booth, colored my little circles, and walked out. I would say it took me 7 minutes from the time I stepped out of my car and back.

Interesting about some of the polling places. We've always had people with signs right out the door (I vote at a school). I thought they wouldn't be there tonight because of the 100 foot rule. However, they were in force. They just stood there with their signs. One said "hi" but that's it.

I got a little sticker that said I VOTED. :)

Now I will watch t.v. to see the outcome.

[JenBKR]

It was a breeze for me too...in and out in less than 10 minutes. Ty helped me vote too :D I LOVE the new electronic polls too, so quick and easy!

[Casper]

I went with my mum when she voted... I am one year too young to vote this year. I will be voting next time around, though!

The line wasn't bad at all... the people running the election said the morning was when all the action was.

I did run into an odd little lady. I have no idea who this woman was, but she was a middle-aged woman who told everyone she saw that she was voting for Obama... "only because he has pretty teeth." She was dead serious, too. I felt like telling her I was voting for McCain only because he is stashing hamsters in his cheeks; but I restrained myself as that would have been a lie.. since I can't vote. :-)

[caseysmom]

I went with my mum when she voted... I am one year too young to vote this year. I will be voting next time around, though!

The line wasn't bad at all... the people running the election said the morning was when all the action was.

I did run into an odd little lady. I have no idea who this woman was, but she was a middle-aged woman who told everyone she saw that she was voting for Obama... "only because he has pretty teeth." She was dead serious, too. I felt like telling her I was voting for McCain only because he is stashing hamsters in his cheeks; but I restrained myself as that would have been a lie.. since I'm can't vote. :-)

Well good dental hygiene says a lot about a man;)

[Twisterdog]

I went into the fire station, chatted with the "voting ladies" for a minute (they are all my neighbors), had a cup of coffee and a doughnut. There is never a line. The "check in" process involves one of them saying, "Hi, Shanna. How are the dogs?"

We don't have electronic anything. LOL. We mark little circles with a pencil and toss the paper in a box.

Life in a very small town ... :D

[RedHedd]

They let us leave work early if we hadn't voted yet, so I did. I wanted to vote before work, but the line @ 7:30 a.m. was half a block long and growing.

Instead, I got there around 5:00 p.m. No line, and I got to use the new touch-screen voting machine - we had a choice. It was fun!

I could tell I just beat the after-work voters. When I left, they were starting to get REALLY busy! This is exciting!

No flirting at my polling place, tho. I'm jealous, RICHARD! :D

[blue]

Just voted about 30 minutes ago, was in and out in 5 minutes.

[Sevaede]

I voted about a week ago. :) Our ballots are mailed to us. :) It was a pleasant experience! :D

[cyber-sibes]

I think I'll look into our local laws - there was a woman wearing a bright orange campaign shirt directing traffic at our voting place, which I felt was very inappropriate. I'm not against people showing their allegiance, but please, leave it home in you're a volunteer or paid to work at a voting place.
The voting was much lighter than last year, I was out of there in about 30 minutes - maybe it was just the time of day.

The ban on politically oriented clothing is a matter of law.
In New York no electioneering is allowed within 100 feet of a polling place, and that includes political slogans/candidate messages on clothing. I believe in Massachusetts it's either 100 or 200 feet from a polling place.

[gemini9961]

Hubby and I voted last night around 6:20pm and we were in and out in about 5 minutes. No wait at all. They just scanned my driver's license, handed me my ballot and off I went to color in my circles.

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

It was my first time voting in a presidential election. It was amazing, I felt so important, :p

One lady in line in from of me, couple behind me. I was in and out in 3-4 minutes.

[smokey the elder]

I was in and out in about 5 minutes; I think it was a lull. Down in Manhattan there were incredible lines! And this for a state as blue as they come!:D

[pomtzu]

I went at about 10:30. No wait - in and out in 5 minutes! :)