Voting Lines Stretch To Eight Hours

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Early voting has reached record numbers this year. Including absentee ballots, 27 million people have already voted. That's in spite of lines that stretch on for hours.

"Six hours is ridiculous in terms of waiting in line," one Ohio voter told CNN. "I still haven't had an opportunity to vote," said a Florida reader after waiting in line for three hours. "It seems crazy."

Related: Could Virginia Become The Next Florida?

Rachel Maddow discussed the long lines -- eight to ten hours in some places -- on MSNBC last night. While she admitted that images of people waiting hours to vote was inspiring, she reminded viewers that not everyone has the time to do it. Long lines, she argued, are a new kind of poll tax. Watch:

North Carolina has extended early voting hours, and so did Florida. Read more about voting and voting problems. Tell HuffPost about your experience at the polls here.

Comments

[hypnus]

Virginia has just issued an executive order to reduce the lines at polling places; if you voted for Bush in the last election you can not vote in this election. Due to the critical condition of the country, the mentally challenged are not longer permitted to vote in Virginal. Thank you for your cooperation.

[whitewaterwillie]

Why is it that problems with multi-hour lines, running out of ballots, and voter challenges only seem to only happen in urban heavily Democratic areas? I live in a predominately Republican area and voted early. I was in and out in literally five minutes.

[southbay]

to wait eight to ten hours to vote! This is disenfranchisement! This is the point where local authorities need to step in and make the statement that voters are being harassed!

Really ... I could have an oil change and lube job done by a nationally recognized entity in less time! This is absolutely preposterous!

Speaking of an oil change, where does one go in this neighborhood?

Thanks,

Carl

[WendyInCA]

Rachel, Eloquent and spot on as usual. Well said! I so appreciate your clarity, your vocabulary and your willingness to call it as you see it - offering sweet morsels of insight that are the frosting on an already delicious cake.
Thank You!

[BryantG]

Ah, the benefits of lower taxes and smaller government.

[darker]

Republicans ARE DESTROYING AMERICAN ELECTIONS.
REPUBLICANS = FRAUD.

Americans have been APPEASING criminals BUSH-CHENEY FOR TOO LONG! !

Republicans didn't mind committing TERRORISM ON AMERICA with their war policies that rob us,
creating SOCIALISM FOR THE RICH and CORPORATE WELFARE QUEENS paid for by
working and middle class tax money.

REPUBLICANS DESERVE TO LOSE BIG!

[MCTSilverlakeCA]

Ever notice how MANY Wars the Republican's start...?

Think ... about all those HOMELESS that can't vote (no permanent address) - the ONLY category other than current prison inmates that can't... and think about all the MONEY they paid into their homes as equity, many for years and years ... only to see the BANKS suck it all up, use it illegally, then throw the people out of their homes and apartments (taken over by speculator investors) ... and for WHAT ...SO WE CAN SEND THEM EVEN MORE MONEY -$700 billion dollars, just to waste again... what about the people who already lost their homes...will this new Foreclosure Stall Bill help them...NO IT WON'T ... and many of them will need a warm place to stay, food, caring, jobs, and a new place to live... think about that when you vote tomorrow... think about it when those Salvation Army Bells ring outside stores, and donate can goods, blankets, whatever you have... we need your help... remember these people who were your neighbors and friends... before the Free-Wheeling Irresponsible Lying Bank Run Economy went BUST.

Bush and Cheney lead us down the Warpath so that their oil stocks and business investments of themselves and their rich munitions maker friends could roll in the money from Government Vaults into their own Vaults... that was OUR MONEY.

Impeach Bush & Cheney...tell them in no uncertain terms - YOU SCREWED US..

[plato651]

Corporate Welfare Kings

[SpeakFreely]

This country is a catastrophe that walks like a democracy.

[lola85]

Just one more day...Please VOTE, please STAY IN LINE, please DO NOT QUIT BEFORE THE FINISH LINE, Please BE PATIENT tomorrow. I say this for myself as much as I say it for everyone else. We have come too far to quit now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YES WE CAN.

Obama/Biden '08
Keep HOPE alive

[MCTSilverlakeCA]

I drove 2 hours (85 miles) partly in the rain to vote, and then it was another hour to get through the mail in deposit box line - and then another 2 hour drive home in traffic with more rain... but I saw such a turnout at the voting polls as would turn a Founding Father's Heart Glad... mine too...

[Bocado]

Why does this seem to happen more so to black people?
I'm a white American and it just pi$$es me off to no end to see people being subjected to this.

What is it with the GOP and their tactics against black people (aka. voters)???

[MCTSilverlakeCA]

remember when South Carolina citizen's finally removed all those Confederate Flags from fling on their Capitol buildings and Official places? Bush bought 'em up for Government Vehicle Seat Covers at only $20,000 a piece...

[DFL]

MILLIONS OF NEW VOTERS COMING OUT TO VOTE FOR THE FIRST TIME! AND ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT VOTING FOR MORE OF THE SAME!

[DFL]

LETS GIVE BARACK A FILLIBUSTER PROOF MAJORITY IN CONGRESS SO HE CAN FIX AND PAY OFF THIS GOP MESS.

[kstuff]

I have an irrational fear about absentee ballots. I imagine them being stuck in some cardboard box somewhere and never actually getting read. So I prefer to vote in person. Crazy, I know...

[MCTSilverlakeCA]

Make sure the vote counter's aren't Republican's and everything will be fine. Remember Florida! Remember the "hanging chad's and the mysterious lost boxes of ballots!

[southbay]

Just vote ... we don't care how you do it!!!

[thehonestpolitician]

GO VOTE NOW! Make History! Obama is need of all the votes necessary to create a landslide. Let's make sure that our state turns blue! Bring your friends and family - make it a group thing! Wouldn't you want to say 1 year from now, 5 years from now, or even 20 years from now that you contributed to the most highlighted election in US history? Wouldn't you be proud to tell your kids/grandkids years from now that you voted for this election? It will be the most talked about election for centuries. Voting is a right and a privilege. Let's all make history together!

http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/

[MCTSilverlakeCA]

kind of reminds you of Woodstock doesn't it? PEACE MAN!

[kstuff]

Please tell me why election day is not a national holiday. Are they worried that everyone would go on vacation?

[blytzd]

Doubtful if they keep it on Tuesday but I agree. Guess big business would bust one if they had to pay out for another national holiday... even every for years. Besides it would give an excuse for more of us lazy liberals to make it to the polls and we know they don't want that to happen or the Thugs won't ever get elected.

[EuroRant1]

Sorry folks ... for the most part, I can not feel sorry for you.
When I see long lines with African-American citizens and understand that 98% of them are for Barack Obama ...

Why in God's name are you just NOW in line? ...
YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS !

I live in Europe ... I got on a plane (8 hours) and went to vote 2 weeks ago when the early voting started.
(This is an historic election ... I wanted to be there.)

My voting precinct is in a predominant African-American neighbourhood ... I was done in 10 minutes and the 4 African-American sisters in front of me all asked the same question ...

"What is everybody waiting for? - Another speech to convince them further?"

[bbrecht]

Sorry but no one should have to wait for eight hours.... even if it does make you feel morally superior...

[JWakkaJane]

The plane! The plane!

[GPRogueCowboy]

When will the rest of the Country WAKE-UP and follow Oregon's lead with VOTE BY MAIL!
I voted in my own living room on Tuesday October 28th and dropped in ballot in the mail.
Waiting in line for HOURS should not be required in any State!