Our polls opened today at 6 AM. I was in line (in line!) at 5:45 AM, and managed to get into the booth around 6:30 AM. I had a little conversation with the people around me, and it occured to me that I was probably voting completely opposite of nearly everyone there. It was an odd feeling, indeed!
So, this thread is offering hugs for those of you voting in a way completely opposite to the vast majority of your neighbors.
Repulican voting in Massachusetts? I'm here for you.
Democrat voting in Texas? I've got your back.
(((voters who are strangers in strange lands)))
Posted by Ryoko (Member # 4947) on :
I was in line around 5:50am. Got out of there at 6:45. I feel your pain.
At least it wasn't raining...oh wait...it was. Posted by Jeni (Member # 1454) on :
I love that I may have to wait in line when I vote today. Every time I've voted I was one of maybe two or three people at the polling place, and that is always a bit discouraging.
According to cnn.com, there are reports of people camping out overnight in some places to be the first in line. This is exciting. This is the way every election should be.
Posted by IdemosthenesI (Member # 862) on :
Thanks! As a democrat voting in Texas, I appreciate the warm wishes!
I've never done this before, and I don't really know you that well, but...
((((Megan
(I only do side hugs)
Posted by Tstorm (Member # 1871) on :
Well, I'm not registered with a party, but since my ticket leaned toward the Democratic side, I'm definitely a minority here in Kansas.
Nothing to see here. Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
In by 6 AM (voter # 9) out by 6:20. But that is small towns for ya.....
((Tstorm)) glad you voted anyway!
Farmgirl
[ November 02, 2004, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: Farmgirl ]
Posted by Stray (Member # 4056) on :
I went around 7:30 and didn't have to wait all that long, there were two voting machines and only about 10 people ahead of me. But in the last election, when I went midmorning, there was no line at all. I really hope we get a decent voter turnout, that's how it should be every election of course.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
Hugs, as promised:
(((Idemosthenesl <--note the side hug
(((Tstorm)))
Last I heard they were predicting a 70% turnout. That's awesome, IMHO.
[ November 02, 2004, 09:44 AM: Message edited by: Megan ]
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
We're a small town of 1200 people, and the polling place covers our city limits, and a little bit of the surrounding unincorporated county. My husband left the polling place at 8:30, and he was voter #370. The line wrapped all the way around the building.
I will vote around 10:00, figure I'll let the morning rush subside. Our area always has good turnout. Excellent, in fact. Usually over 70% of registered voters vote.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
time to go and vote!
Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
I was in line 15 minutes, and I was voter 488 at about 9:45 here.
-Bok
Posted by msquared (Member # 4484) on :
I was voter #40 at 7:05 and my wife was #75 at 7:35.
msquared
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
My wife got to the polls at about 7:15 this morning. The polls opened at 7. There were about 350 people ahead of her.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Woot! That's awesome (even though you all have had to wait in line.)
I am a Republican in Portland, OR. Definitely a stranger in a strange land. Oh, and I'm a Republican in grad school at Portland State University.
Yeah. I couldn't be any stranger.
Happy Voting everyone!!
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
It's staggering that 70% is considered excellent voter turnout, isn't it? I mean, it is *much* higher than the percentage that normally turns out to vote, but still!
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I agree, Noemon. But, it is an excellent turnout when compared to the national averages.
Well, I'm off - I figure the early crowd will have settled down and I want to beat the lunch hour rush.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
My wife and I just voted, took maybe 10 minutes, counting the walk to and from the car. But my precinct had lines out the wazoo when they opened, filled with people voting on the way to work, and I'm sure they'll be more tonight after 5.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
I'm planning on going about 3 or 3:30.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I voted absentee.
Does anyone know if it's too early for exit polls?
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
And then there are those of us who vote absentee.
I'm voting opposite of the wind. The only one I voted for who has a chance is George Nethercutt, going up against incumbent Patty Murray. We shall see. His ads were better (though that's not why I voted for him -- I decided my vote based on what Murray had to say about him). He had a great one that was entirely made up of outtakes. It was cute and funny. And memorable. It was my favorite ad of the entire season.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
My precinct usually has good voter turnout. I usually wait in line for like five minutes or so. This morning when I drove by, the line was way out the door. The posters and such are all over the freaking place. I'll go vote after work.
My town has representation from both political parties, contrary to stereotype, but the republicans do seem to have a healthy (not overwhelming) majority. I'm registered as an independent, currently, and my vote will be somewhat split, but I guess I am a little bit of a stranger in my votes for president, senator, and congressman. So a partial hug, maybe?
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
((Icarus
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
(((Narnia))) (((jeniwren))) (((Icarus)))
I'll give you a full hug, icky Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
I was number 21 at about 7:15.
All I can say is, I hope somebody wins today.
[ November 02, 2004, 01:31 PM: Message edited by: advice for robots ]
Posted by Zevlag (Member # 1405) on :
Just got back from voting, there were like 15 people at the polling place, which was nice to see. I was #163.
I am a Libertarian in Utah, so definitely in the minority...
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
btw megan, my nails finally need reshining but I think part of it is due to the construction I was doing over the weekend.
AJ
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
While waiting for my bf to finish voting, I managed to watch a woman cancel out all my votes.
The voting machines here aren't shrouded very well have BIG PRINT SO YOU CAN READ IT ACROSS THE ROOM. Well, I couldn't help myself but watch.
She voted for prop I voted against and against the prop I voted for. I didn't see her vote for president and I'm very glad about that.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
AJ, I just got one of those multi-position ladders over the weekend. While trying to figure it out, one end dropped on my right big toe.
I thought of you and your steel toed boots while I cussed.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I'm back. I was #963 on my ballot counting machine. There were two there, so if you roughly double that we've had 1900 votes! I mis-stated before, don't know what I was thinking. Our town population is about 2400. The next town over, which also votes here, is about 1200, half out size.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I was number 531, at 10:00ish.
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
In my state we also voted on the marriage amendment today. Though my husband and I both voted "no" I realize that we're in the minority and that tomorrow we'll probably have a definition that says marriage is between a man and woman, blah blah blah.
space opera
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Josh -- you're Mormon and Libertarian??? I didn't know they allowed that...
I just went over lunch hour and picked up my ex and took him to the polls. I thought he would have to walk home-- but there was no line, he got right in and out within 10 minutes.
I guess in a way that is sad -- his precinct is a neighborhood of very poor, and almost overwhelmingly Hispanic people -- so maybe most of them don't vote? I will hope most of them voted before or after work, and that would explain why the noon hour was slow.
Farmgirl
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
(((Zevlag))) (((Space Opera)))
AJ, mine are mostly still shiny, but I have a friend who says you can use the buffer (the silk side) as often as you like...my only problem is, as my nails grow, the lower part is uneven and buffing doesn't help. Hubby says I'm getting obsessive, though. Silly man, what does he know about nails, anyway? Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
I think I was one of four people in my state who didn't vote Bush.
Hobbes Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
Fugu and Blacwolve being the other two, FYI.
Hobbes Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Thanks to the good 'ole electoral college though, your vote wont' count.
kidding, dear.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
If it helps, I didn't vote Kerry either.
Hobbes Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
My officemate voted at 8am and was the 1000th voter at that site.
Madison is rocking. Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
I forgot to look at the number, so I don't know how many people have voted.
The place was full, though, and this is in a town of less than 600 people.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
((Hobbes))
I guess that makes me the fourth person in IN who didn't vote for Bush?
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
Ohh wow! 4? I'm bumping my prediction to 18 people in Indaiana who didn't vote for Bush.
Impressive!
Hobbes Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
In all honesty, I think Bloomington has a fair amount of people with strong anti-Bush (if not necessarily pro-Kerry) feelings. That's at least a couple thousand...maybe...
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
Yah, it's true of course, college towns especially will have a pretty big Kerry turnout, but Indiana isn't e ven approaching swing-state status.
Hobbes Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
This is true. Back in 2000, I had the option of voting either here, or in my very recently former home state of Georgia. Either place, I had no hope of my vote making any difference in the outcome of the election.
And they say the electoral college prevents mob rule...
[NB: KIDDING! not trying to start an argument here!]
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
quote: AJ, I just got one of those multi-position ladders over the weekend. While trying to figure it out, one end dropped on my right big toe.
I thought of you and your steel toed boots while I cussed.
I can vouch that they work well against Doberman Paws too.
AJ
Posted by LockeTreaty (Member # 5627) on :
Tack on another non-bush vote from IN.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
Apparently people are predicting the largest voter turnout ever. It's still kind of pathetic, though:
quote:With the Republican and Democratic parties deploying millions of volunteers to mobilize the vote, some observers have suggested the national turnout could be as high as 120 million, a significant jump on the 106 million who voted in 2000
That's still significantly less than 50% of the American populace. I was in Greece for their elections this past March (and yes, that does mean I'm rather electioned-out right about now), and the 75+% turnout they got was low. Low! Alright, I suppose it helps that they take away your driver's license if you don't vote, but still. Americans kind of suck when it comes to voting in and of itself.
I suppose I shouldn't complain. At least more people here in the States are voting.
Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :
Thank you Megan. As an independant with democratic leanings,I needed that!
((Megan))
edit : the dreaded librarian tap on the shoulder came before I could add: A quasi-dem in Republican-tilting Georgia. The dems have just about had their last gasp here in state-wide politics. We will most likely field 2 republican US senators next year. Oh, the shame!
[ November 02, 2004, 04:38 PM: Message edited by: Morbo ]
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
No problem, Morbo.
(((Morbo)))
Posted by newfoundlogic (Member # 3907) on :
120 million is approximately 57% of those who are of voting age in the US. There are still more people in the census who are ineligible to vote for various reasons. Personally I think the EC and the feeling that voting in certain areas won't count contributes to the low turnouts. Its also much easier to be represented in most of Europe where there are tons of parties to choose from all of which either are represented in a parliament or have the reasonable capability to be.
I'm a Republican in South Florida. When I go to my cousin's Bar Mitzvah this weekend I'm pretty confident of being the only person who voted for Bush in the entire synagouge.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
(((newfoundlogic)))
Posted by AmkaProblemka (Member # 6495) on :
I didn't vote straight ticket. I'm pretty sure some of my neighbors would have been scandalized. I'm going to reregister as independant.
Very very interesting exit poll question:
Candidate 1 is of your party and supports your political positions, but has been linked with scandals. Candidate 2 is not of your party and holds political positions that you oppose, but is known to be a person of high moral integrity.
What do you do? vote for candidate 1 vote for candidate 2 write in don't vote
I'd like to add an extra caveat. Assume both candidates are equally qualified. What would you do?
Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
I was #144 at 2:30. Small town...
There hasn't been a local candidate for Democrat elected in 30 years. I'm definitely a stranger in a strange land here... Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
For me, it would depend on the scandal. If it's something like stealing, committing a serious crime, etc., etc., then I would probably not vote or write in. On the other hand, if it's the sort of sensationalist scandal that announces that the candidate's friend's brother's second cousin's neighbor's dog is gay (or is promiscuous, etc., etc.), then I probably would vote for the candidate whose positions agreed with mine.
For me, the first type of scandal demonstrates a disregard for the law. The second type of scandal is just sensationalism designed to horrify people, but in actuality reflects little on how the candidate would do their job in elected office. YMMV, though.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
(((plaid)))
Posted by newfoundlogic (Member # 3907) on :
For all "closet" Republicans/Democrats.
Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :
I'm voting for Kerry in Nebraska. I lived in NY from birth until I was 22, when I moved to CA, and only have been in NE for a couple months, so theres that at least.
Plus my girlfriend, her parents, and my roommate are voting for Kerry as well.
Posted by Amanecer (Member # 4068) on :
quote: Candidate 1 is of your party and supports your political positions, but has been linked with scandals. Candidate 2 is not of your party and holds political positions that you oppose, but is known to be a person of high moral integrity.
What do you do?
Good question! I'd most likely vote for Candidate 1. Even if the other guy is honest, he'll honestly go about establishing policies I don't like. Candidate one may be less than honest, but he'll represent my views. Hopefully the press could help keep him honest.
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Silly man, what does he know about nails, anyway? ![[Evil Laugh]](graemlins/evillaugh.gif)
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kidding, dear.
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For all "closet" Republicans/Democrats.