"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.