Politics and religion.

[pomtzu]

I wish I didn't have to go to the polls to vote, and could do an absentee ballot.

It's not that I'm lazy and don't want to go out just for that, but it seems that this state likes to juggle around the polling districts. I used to vote at the elementary school in town. Lots of parking and no walking and no waiting in long lines. Then a few elections ago it got changed to a different area - about the same distance to drive - but no where to park other than along the street if you can be lucky enough to find a parking spot, and then walk and walk and walk to get to the building and wait in long lines. Then it got changed back to the school, and now it's been changed again back to the long walk/long lines area. Sorry, but with my impaired balance and a bad knee that is scheduled for surgery, I don't walk a lot. I'll at least drive over there tomorrow, and if I can park close, then I'll vote. If not, I'll just turn around and come back home!

[Bonny]

I wish I didn't have to go to the polls to vote, and could do an absentee ballot.

It's not that I'm lazy and don't want to go out just for that, but it seems that this state likes to juggle around the polling districts. I used to vote at the elementary school in town. Lots of parking and no walking and no waiting in long lines. Then a few elections ago it got changed to a different area - about the same distance to drive - but no where to park other than along the street if you can be lucky enough to find a parking spot, and then walk and walk and walk to get to the building and wait in long lines. Then it got changed back to the school, and now it's been changed again back to the long walk/long lines area. Sorry, but with my impaired balance and a bad knee that is scheduled for surgery, I don't walk a lot. I'll at least drive over there tomorrow, and if I can park close, then I'll vote. If not, I'll just turn around and come back home!

Do you have a court house near by? Our district has also changed things around like you mentioned no place to park, long lines. We went to the court house & voted ahead of time. There was plenty of parking with no long lines.

[RICHARD]

I wish I didn't have to go to the polls to vote, and could do an absentee ballot.

It's not that I'm lazy and don't want to go out just for that, but it seems that this state likes to juggle around the polling districts. I used to vote at the elementary school in town. Lots of parking and no walking and no waiting in long lines. Then a few elections ago it got changed to a different area - about the same distance to drive - but no where to park other than along the street if you can be lucky enough to find a parking spot, and then walk and walk and walk to get to the building and wait in long lines. Then it got changed back to the school, and now it's been changed again back to the long walk/long lines area. Sorry, but with my impaired balance and a bad knee that is scheduled for surgery, I don't walk a lot. I'll at least drive over there tomorrow, and if I can park close, then I'll vote. If not, I'll just turn around and come back home!

Pom,

My 'absentee ballot' rant all about a guy I knew who would always vote that way.

He had no health problems - he was just too lazy to go the polls....He lived in an affluent area/neighborhood and just couldn't be bothered to make a trip.

My old job allowed you to take two hours to vote, so people would bug out early and vote.

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This early voting snafu is stupid, a waste of people's time and funny -

I have waited hours in line to see Pink Floyd, get concert tickets watch a torch pass by and some other funky stuff.

Waiting hours to vote? I don't think so.

We were discussing the problems and D came up with this solution, Polls open Saturday and close on Tuesday.

8 to 8 every day, for everyone.

That way no one can complain and it's a level playing field and while we are at it?

Announce the results a few days later, make everyone wait and give the west coasters a chance to vote, the local elections/races suffer because when the 'winner' is announced in the national elections, people there give up and say, "Why should I vote when the election's over......."

[pomtzu]

I wasn't complaining about anyone's views re: absentee voting - I get that! I was just venting my frustration at what I've personally encountered. For those just plain too lazy to go out, then I hope they aren't the first ones to complain that the wrong (in their eyes) candidate won - but those are the ones that typically complain the longest and the loudest!

[Edwina's Secretary]

My old job allowed you to take two hours to vote, so people would bug out early and vote.

In California, if an employee is required to work from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm they must be given up to two hours off to vote with pay.

Most if not all states have laws similar although very few states require pay.

But all are only if the employee is unable to get to the polls before or after work.

And Pomtzu - I have had the same frustration - getting to the polls with little time to spare* and finding out my polling place has been changed! I remember once racing through my neighborhood trying to find the right place. Have you checked into an absentee ballot? Most states provide them without much fuss.

Personally I enjoy going to the polls - it feels more participative. I have never known anyone who voted absentee because they are "too lazy to go to the polling place" but what of it? As long as they vote why would I judge them as to what method they use?

* getting out of work on time

[Edwina's Secretary]

Here is an interesting article...Voting

The United States has one of the lowest voter turnout going. Why wouldn't we want to make it easierfor people to vote?

Is voting suppose to be some "prove you are worthy of it" exercise?

If someone wants to vote early, or by mail-in ballot...why is that a bad thing -- worthy of scorn?

I would save my scorn for people who do not bother to vote.

[cassiesmom]

What happens if you're in the hospital on Election Day and you are unable to vote, I wonder? Can you get a ballot late?

Once again I'm impressed by how orderly the process is. I know where I go to vote, I'll show up, might have to wait in line, someone will take my name and give me a ballot. No commotion, no big deal. Sometimes I see other people there who live in my building. I can vote for the candidate I think will do the better job. The voter after me might disagree, but no harm comes to either of us for voting. Then in January either Obama will be inaugurated again, or his term will end and Romney will take over, but that will be a peaceful switch. So we'll see what happens.

[sasvermont]

I am always amazed by the horrible stories about voting. I have never had a problem even though I have lived in crowded cities, the suburbs, the country..... never a problem. Voting in Vermont is easy because so very few people live in the state. The folks at the voting sites know all the people voting so no need to carry ID. It is always organized, pleasant and fun! I wish it could be that way for many more people. I cannot believe people have to wait in line for hours. What is with that? Why don't the people organizing it, create bigger and better voting conditions? How hard can it be? Is it the expense? It just seems as though voting is discouraged in some areas and that is wrong. Maybe mail in for everyone would be easier!

So everyone, go out and vote today. May the best man win. Fingers crossed for my candidate though!

[RICHARD]

I am always amazed by the horrible stories about voting. I have never had a problem even though I have lived in crowded cities, the suburbs, the country..... never a problem. Voting in Vermont is easy because so very few people live in the state. The folks at the voting sites know all the people voting so no need to carry ID. It is always organized, pleasant and fun! I wish it could be that way for many more people. I cannot believe people have to wait in line for hours. What is with that? Why don't the people organizing it, create bigger and better voting conditions? How hard can it be? Is it the expense? It just seems as though voting is discouraged in some areas and that is wrong. Maybe mail in for everyone would be easier!

So everyone, go out and vote today. May the best man win. Fingers crossed for my candidate though!

There is a cartoon in the paper today about the 'second most powerful person in the world', it shows a pic of the White House, the first? A pic of a person in a voting booth.

Again, people have had four years to think about this and how many years before the hanging chad fiasco.

We don't pay attention to the things that impact our lives, until we are slapped in the face by them.

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Voting is discouraged in some areas because we don't encourage ourselves beforehand.

Not only that, think about the lawsuits that will come up from the 'voting fiascos'.

Saddam Hussein ran flawless election in Iraq for years.

Even I could predict the winner, with 100% of the vote- drum roll please - SADDAM HUSSEIN!!!

Maybe we should get Baghdad Bob to announce the elections results?

[Edwina's Secretary]

I am always amazed by the horrible stories about voting. I have never had a problem even though I have lived in crowded cities, the suburbs, the country..... never a problem. Voting in Vermont is easy because so very few people live in the state. The folks at the voting sites know all the people voting so no need to carry ID. It is always organized, pleasant and fun! I wish it could be that way for many more people. I cannot believe people have to wait in line for hours. What is with that? Why don't the people organizing it, create bigger and better voting conditions? How hard can it be? Is it the expense? It just seems as though voting is discouraged in some areas and that is wrong. Maybe mail in for everyone would be easier!

So everyone, go out and vote today. May the best man win. Fingers crossed for my candidate though!

My nearest polling place is a neighbor's garage!

If I didn't have to work I would love to work in a polling place on Election Day. Often it seems the process is slowed by those who are checking in the voters.