Oprah Opts For Early-Voting, Has Voting Booth Meltdown (VIDEO)

Oprah Winfrey announced on her live show Friday that she took advantage of Illinois' early-voting laws and voted Thursday in Chicago - but not without a voting booth scare and near emotional meltdown.

"I was worried that there's gonna be such long lines, and I have a live show," Winfrey said, justifying her decision to vote early.

She waited 72 minutes to vote, only to have a near-meltdown in the booth.

"When I voted yesterday electronically, the first vote that you vote for on the ballot is the presidential candidate. It was my first time doing electronic, so I didn't mark the X strong enough, or I held down too long. Because then when I went back to check it, it had not recorded my presidential vote," she said.

She then simulated her meltdown, shaking and breathing heavily while stuttering out the words, "It didn't record my presidential vote."

Watch, and heed Oprah's advice to double check that your vote is recorded:

Read more info from Brad Friedman.

Comments

[humbop]

Can't Oprah, and others, sue the makers of these voting machines for obstructing their Constitional right? Or maybe sue the state? Class-action suit or individual suit? Any lawyers out there who can answer this?
Thanks.

[OkieIntellectual]

No, and you can thank the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) for that.

[StringOfLights]

All I can tell you is what I've seen in Florida. After 2000 a panel recommended optical scan voting, but let counties decide individually. Congressman Robert Wexler filed suit because the touchscreen systems sued left no way to do a manual recount, which is required by Florida law. Wexler wasn't necessarily suggesting that touchscreen machines be scrapped, but he did want them to include a printout that would only be used if a manual recount were needed. The suit was thrown out in federal court in 2004, and the judge said there was no legal reason to scrap the machines, though he did say that having a paper record of votes was "preferable".

There were serious issues with touchscreen ballots in Sarasota County in 06, and Dem. candidate Christine Jennings unsuccessfully sued to redo the election. There were some problems in 04 with the touchscreen ballots in Palm Beach County. I know PBC has now switched from touchscreen to optical scan. Now they're using the third voting system in as many presidential elections, so people may not be familiar with them. I don't see that being an issue, but people are worried.

When Charlie Crist was elected governor in 2006 he endorsed the optical scan system, albeit too late for the 04 and 06 elections. I don't know if that helps answer your question, but the Wexler and Jennings suits are the legal precedents I know of, and both upheld touchscreen systems.

[Northreader]

Every time I read these U.S. election system horror stories, I have new respect for Elections Canada which runs our federal elections. As Canadians keep electing minority governments, federal elections come up quite often. During the October 14th federal election, I voted with a paper ballot and a pencil. It was wonderful and the results were on televison that night. I caught a chap on CNN the other day explaining how you can rig a voting machine to misrepresent votes. I don't blame Oprah for being upset.

[1Obamafan]

My first censored (6) comments! I guess Oprah's untouchable around here.

[Sexyjade5055]

I early voted in Chicago too and I said a little prayer, cast my vote for Obama/Biden and must of checked it at least 3 times and....the­n one more time at the very end.

[PeppermintPatty08]

That's great advice. DOUBLECHECK YOUR VOTE!!!!

Obama/Biden 08-12

[pfc1369]

What does that mean, double check?

How can you go back when your votes are complete, even if the machine malfunctioned?

[1differentdrummer]

If it can be stolen, it will be.

[BarackDaVote]

YAY... Go Oprah!

[darkday]

I'm so glad this issue is finally getting some real attention. I know so many people who had the exact same experience she describes.

[Damaven]

Girlchild, I know your trauma [through other people, of course]. But you got it done and you're good. We can't vote early in Jersey and I'm tense as hell. But Tuesday is comin' and I'm goin'.

[collima]

You have got to Check This Out!

SO Cool!
Fill out and send to all your contacts..­.... ASAP!
Your Vote Counts...

http://www.cnnbcvideo.com/taf.shtml?hp=1


Obama Supports must get this out....

Obama/Biden 08

Yes We Can...

[davidsandiego]

palin got pranked big time by french comedians, very funny.

http://davidfromsandiego.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/sarah-palin-got-pranked/

[Sexyjade5055]

I'm hoping it shows up on SNL tonight. That would make it national news for Monday!!!

Palin is already looking to run for President in 2016....LO­RD HELP US!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BrianMac]

2012.

[mshazen]

WE use paper thank goodness, I don't think computers should even be legal there should be a paper trail period.

[LaurenMarie984]

I agree with you COMPLETELY. We have paper ballots too, but those are read by machines. I live in Florida and if anyone is paranoid about voting it's FL residents.

[RealHRCFansVoteObama]

Thank You Oprah!

I am so glad our town still uses paper ballots.

[Archivist1000]

The lines are long.

TAKE A COOLER with snacks and drinks and something to read!

YOU CAN SIT ON THE COOLER WHILE IN LINE

OR take some friends and have a party!

CELEBRATE YOUR VOTE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SmithJones]

I am a dual citizen, an American with Canadian citizenship (in honor of George W) living in British Columbia. I recently voted in both the Federal Canadian election, electing the new Prime Minister, and the US Presidential Election by absentee ballot from the Wisconsin.

For the Canadian election, I walked one block to my polling place, presented my ID, was given a paper ballot and pencil, went to a table, marked an X and put the folded ballot in in a slot in a cardboard box. There were no lines at all. I should also mention that the entire election "season", with campaigning, events, commercials,etc lasts only 30-40 days here.

For the US election I received my ballot from Wisconsin by e-mail and it was a mess! First of all it was dated for the election of Sept. 9, 2008 (which was the previous election held in WI), then it said to glue the A4 size registration form to the outside of an envelope (??!) and the instructions given to mark the ballot said to join the arrows, when there were No Arrows on the ballot.

It's a disgrace that America can't hold fair and competent elections in the year 2008 .Does the UN and other nations like Canada perhaps, have to get involved to make sure that all people's votes are counted! If Oprah is having trouble having her vote counted and if misdated overseas ballots are going out....God help the USA

[Carolab]

IT WAS NOT AN ERROR!!

READ, D**N IT!

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=6600

[OkieIntellectual]

These people just don't get it, do they Carol? So sad. Oh well, when civil war breaks out in this country over another stolen election, maybe they'll finally understand.

[Carolab]

IT WAS NOT AN ERROR!!

READ, DAMN IT!

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=6600