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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5157 Posts |
 Posted - 11/02/2004 : 06:37:43
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I haven't gone to vote yet today, but i was curious as to see how people's voting experiences have been - did they check ID? was there a long wait? any interesting differences between this time and the last time you've voted? Keep us posted throughout the day Americans...
And PLEASE PLEASE VOTE
-brian
 - "I joined the Cult of Frank / And they tried to cut off my nuts and make me put on a blue jumpsuit"
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Dallas
= Cult of Ray =
USA
725 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 06:53:26
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I voted this morning, it took about 5 minutes. Its raining here, not enough to effect turnout. Very pleasant, no controversy, just democracy at work.
Not much on my ballot, only about 10-12 races. Some states/municipalities have many more decisions to make on offices and referendums. No big referendums for me this time. |
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KimStanleyRobinson
* Dog in the Sand *
1972 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 06:58:17
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I voted at the "Hayes Crossing/Haldeman Volunteer Fire Department" about 5 miles east of Morehead, Ky.
I was a little worried my Kerry sticker would get me lynched.
The old woman found my name on the list...looked at it for a minute or two, looked at me, had me sign, then said to the woman next to her,
"You know him?"
"Nope."
Asked me if she could see my driver's license.
I gave it to her, she looked at it, looked at me again, made some kind of note on the reg sheet, then gave it back to me.
Then, I voted. |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 06:59:10
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Columbus, Ohio. Well, actually I'm in Delaware County, just 5 minutes away from Columbus.
As we weren't sure we would be in town today, I voted via absentee ballot and handed it in on Saturday.
It was a paper ballot, and I was very glad to have the extra time to make my choices and stab those fucking chads all to hell. ;) The major personal difference between this year's election and 2000 is the ability to truly inform yourself. I do not trust the media. Local and federal government candidates and the office records have far more of an online presence this election. For the last several months (and again while voting) we dug into the public records for every candidate, and this is the first time I have felt so responsibly informed. It felt amazingly good.
Please vote! It's not perfect, but if you don't get involved it will never have a chance to be better.
edit: we had quite a few offices up for election this year, unfortunately there were about 10 local offices where the incumbant did not have a challenger. That really gets me upset. Several judges and supreme court chief justice were up as well. Also, Ohio was one of a few inane states to put the "Defense of Marriage Act" on the ballot. I voted against the bastard. |
Edited by - apl4eris on 11/02/2004 07:21:36 |
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ramona
"FB Quote Mistress"
USA
3988 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 06:59:20
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Can people also say which state they are voting in? I think it would be interesting to have an idea.
I will be voting in Boston tonight, at a very small place. I hope it's not too overwhealmed.
_____________________________________________________________________
If you see me, look surprised
If you don't, then pass me by
And I might even touch your sleeve
Oh, as you turn to leave
________________________________
http://buymediamonds.blogspot.com |
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5157 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 07:15:04
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i will be voting in cresskill, nj - pop. approx. 8,000 - not sure when i'm going yet - i'm off today, so whenever i walk my lazy ass down the firehouse i guess
-brian
- "I joined the Cult of Frank / And they tried to cut off my nuts and make me put on a blue jumpsuit"
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ObfuscateByWill
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1887 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 07:28:57
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Newport News, VA.
I voted this morning.
Waited in line for about an hour. I mean, that's incredible.
This is my first Presidential Election here in VA. When I've voted in the past (local/state) elections it was, like, walk in/walk out. Done.
Was pretty cool to actually have to wait.
Was pretty uncool to know that I was probably one of about a dozen voting Kerry/Edwards.
 Take a bite of the chocolate coffin. |
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KimStanleyRobinson
* Dog in the Sand *
1972 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 07:32:06
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quote:
Originally posted by apl4eris
Also, Ohio was one of a few inane states to put the "Defense of Marriage Act" on the ballot. I voted against the bastard.
Kentucky:
Are you in favor of an ammendment to the constitution [banning gay marriage]?
Umm, no. I'm not and none of my friends are either. |
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Jason
* Dog in the Sand *
1446 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 07:58:20
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Denton, TX.
I was in and out in just a few minutes. No ID needed. I just showed my registration certificate to the nice 87 year old lady with the log book, signed, and then went to connect the arrow for Kerry.
I was the only person younger than 80 in the room, but this is a precint with a large university and most of the younger people are in class now or not from here. |
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Adam
= Cult of Ray =
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 08:17:17
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West Virginia
No ID check, but then again I knew half the people working the poles. We had 15 - 20 races to vote for. I went around 7:30 a.m. so there was no long line, maybe three people in front of me.
Free the Heel! |
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Ebb Vicious
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1162 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 08:33:31
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i am going on my way to work and i'm sure it's going to suck because my big toe on my left foot is broken, and there are long lines. *sigh*
alas alack. |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 08:38:38
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| How did you break your big toe? Did you kick Bush in the taco? |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 08:41:14
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| My polling place (in Burbank, California) was completely disorganized. The retirees working it didn't seem to have a clue. I managed to vote without showing any form of ID or signing anything. After voting, I asked to sign my name so no one else could vote for me. The woman at the ballot box seemed very surprised that I had already voted. |
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Ebb Vicious
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1162 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 08:53:40
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apl, it's about time someone told you; girls have tacos, boys have schnitzels.
and i stepped on a phone book on the stairs in the dark. disaster insued. |
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harringk
- FB Fan -
USA
202 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 11:00:34
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Spokane, Washington: voted at about 9:00 am in a church about 5 blocks from my house. No line, showed ID and signed the log book, little black ovals to fill in with a pen and an electronic scanning machine to gobble up my ballot.
Unfortunately no banning of gay-marriage initiative to support. Just some asinine initiative to raise sales tax to over 9% so we can throw some more money at the public education mess. Yeah that will work, just throw more money at it...idiots. |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 11:04:10
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quote:
Originally posted by harringk
Just some asinine initiative to raise sales tax to over 9% so we can throw some more money at the public education mess. Yeah that will work, just throw more money at it...idiots.
I was fortunate enough to be able to vote no to a 1/2 cent sales tax increase funding for more cops and emergency services. That would bring our sales tax up to 8.75%. Like we need more cops. |
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soundofataris
= Cult of Ray =
USA
715 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 11:12:01
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Islip, New York
The place has been jammed backed all day. My mom voted at 6:00, my dad at 7:00, and myself at 10:00, and the parking lot has been full up all day. There are many districts at my voting place, since its right on the boarder between two C.D.s, so some were waiting a real long time. Not me, though. Luckily, my district's voting machines didn't have a line and I was in and out in two minutes. All I had to do was sign the book and match my signature up to the one on record.
We use the big voting machines with the levels. Good I love those things. Pulling the lever to close the curtian and open the ballot, flipping switches to choose, and then pulling the lever again to cast it. Its so satisfying. I walked out elated. So excited. Let the voices of men of good conscious be heard! |
Edited by - soundofataris on 11/02/2004 11:56:40 |
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5157 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 11:27:41
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Cresskill, NJ
No line, didn't have to show ID. Signed the book, voted, and left in under 3 minutes. Triple checked to make sure i didn't absent mindedly forget/fuck up anything.
-brian
- "I joined the Cult of Frank / And they tried to cut off my nuts and make me put on a blue jumpsuit"
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TameReg
- FB Fan -
USA
110 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 11:53:05
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Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh.
Only two people ahead of me. Had my ID ready, but they didn't ask for it. In and out quickly. Pretty uneventful.
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dayanara
* Dog in the Sand *
Australia
1811 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 11:57:14
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North Palm Beach, Fl
No line, but it still took 10 minutes for the little old lady to find my name on the list. She stopped twice to ask me if I was a doctor (I came straight from work, had my scrubs on). She'd flip through the first few pages, then jump to the back, then to the front, etc. I felt like screaming, "It's in alphabetical order!" Jesus. When she found me she took my ID and then made me state my full address. Everything else went off without a hitch, though. The new touch screens made it pretty fool-proof.
Around here, intolerance will not be tolerated |
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5456 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 11:57:48
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Davis, CA. Smooth as silk. Waited maybe a minute. We still have the punchcards, but I didn't leave any hanging chads.
Isn't it illegal to ask for ID (except maybe from first time voters)? |
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dayanara
* Dog in the Sand *
Australia
1811 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 12:00:23
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quote:
Originally posted by Ebb Vicious
apl, it's about time someone told you; girls have tacos, boys have schnitzels.
Wait a minute, I thought FB had a taco. This schnitzel business is much more confusing than voting...
Around here, intolerance will not be tolerated |
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Erebus
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1834 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 12:17:24
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quote:
Originally posted by darwin
Isn't it illegal to ask for ID (except maybe from first time voters)?
This may just be the most depressing question I've ever read. |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 12:32:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Erebus
quote:
Originally posted by darwin
Isn't it illegal to ask for ID (except maybe from first time voters)?
This may just be the most depressing question I've ever read.
A new federal law requires that all transfer and first time voters show ID at the polls. Also, as far as I know, at least 17 states added an "ID-for-all" provision to "prevent confusion, discrimination, and allay fears over security concerns and voter fraud".
Voter ID requirements by state:
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/legman/elect/taskfc/voteridreq.htm |
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5456 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 12:53:39
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Thanks apl4eris. My google search didn't find such a good link.
So, erebus, why was it SUCH a depressing question? |
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PsychicTwin
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1772 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 12:58:15
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Fairfax, VA
It was a quick, in-and-out affair at the elementary school that I went to. They did check ID, but the rest of the voting all computerized and touchscreen, really straightforward. This was my 1st time voting... |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 13:02:58
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| I figured the Republican Party would want a DNA sample of each voter, to be put in a national database. Glad I was wrong. |
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5456 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 13:04:54
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quote:
Originally posted by BLT
I figured the Republican Party would want a DNA sample of each voter, to be put in a national database. Glad I was wrong.
I think I voted on that proposition today. |
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Ebb Vicious
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1162 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 13:05:22
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ann arbor, mi
my spot had no line, i was in and out quicker than a virgin on prom night. |
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KimStanleyRobinson
* Dog in the Sand *
1972 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 13:12:39
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quote:
Originally posted by PsychicTwin
This was my 1st time voting...
and this was the most NON depressing statement I've read all day.
Frank Black: The telecaster... It is simply the best one!
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Erebus
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1834 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 13:33:26
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quote:
Originally posted by darwin
Thanks apl4eris. My google search didn't find such a good link.
So, erebus, why was it SUCH a depressing question?
Because in today's America it is a sensible question, which demonstrates what a nonsensical nation we have become. We claim to respect the voting process and yet would actually ban a simple, nondiscriminatory step that would go a long way toward legitimizing that process. We are so hellbent upon including votes while banning steps that would protect the validity of votes legitimately cast. Allowing illegitimate votes disentranchises legitimate votes by cancelling them out. |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 13:38:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Erebus
quote:
Originally posted by darwin
Thanks apl4eris. My google search didn't find such a good link.
So, erebus, why was it SUCH a depressing question?
Because in today's America it is a sensible question, which demonstrates what a nonsensical nation we have become. We claim to respect the voting process and yet would actually ban a simple, nondiscriminatory step that would go a long way toward legitimizing that process. We are so hellbent upon including votes while banning steps that would protect the validity of votes legitimately cast. Allowing illegitimate votes disentranchises legitimate votes by cancelling them out.
Yeah, we're so hellbent on it we have provisional votes that don't even get counted unless the margin is smaller than the number of those votes.
And we subjugate the popular vote with an ancient outdated system of Electoral College votes.
We HATE not counting every vote, obviously.
edit: My point is that you seem really hellbent on being pissed off about something in a very biased/myopic manner. See it my way, and be pissed off in a much broader all-encompassing way!  |
Edited by - apl4eris on 11/02/2004 13:40:41 |
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Erebus
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1834 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 14:25:02
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bias?
edit: point being, regarding the narrow point of voter ID requirements as illegal, I think my explanation of why I find that depressing is bias-free. Process integrity would seem something everybody would want, regardless of political affiliation. |
Edited by - Erebus on 11/02/2004 14:50:48 |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 14:31:05
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Venice, CA
there was this really cute hispanic girl at the booth i was waiting for. kind of a tough time to start up some small talk. plus, she was with her mom.
but i did get a smile at least.
i would rate my voting experience as "pleasant"
ist es möglich für ein quesadilla skrotum zu lecken? beim sprechen der quesadillas von LBF, ja. ja in der tatheheheheheheehehee! |
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cvanepps
= Cult of Ray =
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 14:33:02
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Apex, NC. Voted at 8:00 AM ET without incident. It took about 10 minutes.
-= It's not easy to kidnap a fat man =-
http://www.cvanepps.com |
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slaveish
= Cult of Ray =
USA
269 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2004 : 15:28:44
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I'm right now listening to an NPR story on this very topic. I must be missing something- what's wrong with (and what's not right with) asking for I.D.?
Astoria, NY, boys and girls club. Showed my voter registration card and was asked to sign a roll, underneath a copy of my signature they had on file. Used the old-fashioned pull-lever machine. No lines. New York has a provision that allows candidates to be endorsed by more than one party, and thus be on the ballot more than once. so....George *&^*#$%$$ Bush was on the ballot twice. This pissed me off. He was apparently endorsed by the Conservative party.
I've had anti-Bush and anti-war buttons on my messenger bag for a few months- but today was the first day I got comments on them. I went into Manhattan, with the BUllShit button on my bag, and a few people misstook it for a Bush button and questioned me on my support for Bush. Way to go Manhattan! |
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Your Voting Experience
