"Here's My Take" gives you an opportunity to present your view, opinion, or choice in a way that commenting or op-eds don't permit (Check out #1, #2, #3 and #4 to see what it looks like). It's a new format! And a new way for you to engage others in the HuffPost community. We'll publish peoples' submissions on HuffPost's OffTheBus as part of the "Here's My Take" feature. Think of it as a citizen think-tank, a series of discussions, each one focused on a single issue or scenario. This idea came to me after editing op-eds for OffTheBus and moderating comments for HuffPost. Got ideas for ways to make it better? I'm open to them - email me at heresmycall@gmail.com. Don't have time, but want to participate later? Join OffTheBus.
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QUESTION: What should be done on Tuesday, 11/4 to mitigate wait time and chaos at the polls? This can be at the local, state or federal level....or at all three if you have the gumption.
SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER: Simply click on our Survey Monkey link or you can send your entry to heresmycall@gmail.com and put "Here's My Take" in the subject line. Include your name and a quick bio, three sentences or so.
DEADLINE: Midnight Sunday, November 3
DISCUSS: OffTheBus's op-ed editors will format and publish your submissions, as well as a quick post on the most popular and interesting picks sent in. Everyone who participated will be notified when the feature goes up.
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To get us started, Here's My Take:
When I envision the circus that will take place Tuesday in this country I am elated as well as terrified. I am volunteering with the ACLU in my state to monitor polls that day. The state I live in is not in the limelight and should be "pretty quiet" as far as chaos. But we don;t enjoy early voting, either, only by absentee ballot, so we will experience the same issue with lines as everyone else. I think that, for this week's contest, local authorities should extend voting hours as well as supply folding chairs and water. I know, it costs $ to rent chairs and buy water -- tough tooties, I say! Splurge for Democracy! Voter advocacy groups should be able to pitch in, as well as local campaign offices.
I truly believe that many of the polling locations will have "vote-gaiting," like tail-gaiting but without the grilling going on -- or in terms avid concert goers will understand, there should be a "lot scene." If this is indeed the case, then seats, liquid and understanding are all that will be needed, the rest will take care of itself.
Now I want to hear what you have to say. Take a few minutes and think through these issues then use this Survey Monkey link to send in your reply. Alternatively, you can send it to "heresmycall AT gmail.com", although the Survey Monkey link is a superior submittal method.
http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/
I have no doubt that even some (sane) republican lawmakers will assist.
OBAMA FOR EIGHT.....THEN HILLARY FOR EIGHT....Then we'll talk about Obama's daughters!
IMAGE LIVING IN AN AMERICA THAT WOULD CHOOSE AS ITS' LEADER NOT ONLY A WOMAN....OR AN AFRICAN AMERICAN....BUT AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN! Who knows? This IS America where anything is possible!
The German model above sounds reasonable...... every 4 years its the same madness! Then it gets put on the backburner and forgotten until the next election comes around.
No nefarious disenfranchisement, no "voter fraud" challenges, no Republican dirty tricks. You can be a student, have moved several times, a gypsy. It doesn't matter because your government has verified who you are and that you have only voted once. Simple.
After I got my ballot in the mail, while seated in my easy chair, I spent the afternoon online. With my ballot before me, I researched each candidate and referendum and filled in the ballot. A couple days later when the weather was nice, I drove less than 3 miles to the ballot box. There was no line. A helpful poll worker made sure I had prepared the ballot envelope properly and I slipped it in the slot. I could have even dropped it in a mailbox but I'm a little paranoid about my vote getting lost.How easy can it get?
If you can not wait in a long line for THIS MOMENT in history then you are a fool. People camp out overnight in lines for a frig ging Harry Potter book - WHY is this even an issue?? VOTE! If it takes all night do not rest and get out the vote!
If your line is long call a friend to bring you a snack and carton of beverages for folks in the line. Make it an EVENT because it is one!!!
A) have election commissions Create 16'H x 8'W Billboard ballot with all the choices, & sidenotes of instructions in clear visibility from at least 50 feet away Mounted near the entrance to the building. Have 1 or 2 election volunteers walk the lines to answer questions,
B) Advertise requirements ahead of time for voting/registering forms of Identification.
That way most voters get in there and they know exactly what to do and how to make their choices and move fast. The best way to move a long line is to make it more efficient and quick moving, and it makes all people involved happier, more relieved an more sure of their choices.
C) Intimidate all democratic "appearing" voters into thinking they'll be arrested for voting, or tell them their votes will only be counted as 3/5ths of a person. That would be the normal occurance every 4 yrs anyway. j/k
D) At every voting location, the Feds should bring healthy / sweet snacks with Hot coffee, Tea or water for people in lines. The Feds should make voting as easy & as pleasurable as possible as well as take care of people susceptible to heatstroke, bad circulation/feet, low blood sugar etc.
E) place numerous chairs & benches out along the lines for elderly, children, & people with some health concerns.
Respond to Chaos with an immediate Beat down of anyone thats Chaotic.
heheee. Let them vote, but beat the crap out of them for disturbing