Here's My Take #5: What HuffPost's Community Thinks Authorities Should Do About Long Waits At Polling Places

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.

That's what I asked you -- HuffPost OffTheBus members -- to answer for the latest version of Here's My Take, our community think tank feature.

Initially I also planned to ask what should we do about the system going forward, but that is a topic unto itself; some of you, however, did throw in your thoughts on that in your replies. I think that would be a nifty topic for us to tackle after the election. Most of the replies agreed that we need early voting everywhere and certainly more hours at the polls, however, there were those who took it a bit further. As always, I was impressed by the thought you put into your answers and am happy to feature some of them.

Before I do that, I would like to calm some of your fears. In my decades-long experience volunteering with voter's rights groups I can tell you that most states do post voting rights at the polls, do have monitors from both parties present and do have election judges working all day and night. Additionally, the non-partisan advocacy groups are always there. If this issue means as much to you as it does to me then I urge you to find those groups in your own communities and join them. It is always a good experience and truly makes me proud. Every election day I take a personal day to "preserve your and your children's rights." That's actually what I write on the timesheet.
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Now, on to Your Take: (parenthetical comments are my own)

George Dugan says: "Implement virtual queuing, such as they use at poplar rides and attractions at amusement parks. Voters can go online or call in to an automated system to pick a spot in one of several allotted timeframes. One or a few voting booths at busy precincts will be reserved for these people during those timeframes. People in the snail trail line can upgrade to the virtual queue via their cell phones or wherever a monitor is available to administer a VoteFastPass™, but they must relinquish their complementary cocktails and finger foods to the precinct concierge in order to participate in the VoteFastPass™ program." (Excellent....I love it!)

Frank submits: "The ideal would be that we have a system on the internet, or some sort of LAN. We are a convenience culture, and if you make it as simple as a button you click when your internet comes on, then I am sure more people would be voting."

Michael Carmichael says: "Poll workers should provide coffee, tea and soft beverages to voters as well as assurances that the polls will stay open until all have voted. Voters should receive a small gift provided by local businesses -- like a coupon for a free box of corn flakes or loaf of bread -- for voting as done in other fledgling democracies like Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania." (Mmmmmm....free Corn Flakes! Better if it was Ben & Jerry's, I bet they would do it too!)

Stu Brann imparts pratical advice: "Don't try to vote at noon. 9am to 11:30 and before 5 pm has usually been best."

Carol Noel says: "The Election Day Operations should be given over to the wonderful people who run Bake Sales and Garage Sales. They are organized, friendly and seem to get the job done!!! There should be chairs or stools available for those who have trouble waiting standing up. The 'officials' should smile and be welcoming instead of playing like ushers at a funeral, speaking in low whispers. This is a time of rejoicing...when we get to exercise that precious right to choose!"

Phil Seefeld writes: "Park as many buses as possible at the election polling station. Voters could then fill the buses as they arrive, giving them a place to rest, read or listen to music. In sequence, voters would leave their respective buses as a unit and then stand in line to vote. Each of the emptied buses could then be filled with the latest group to arrive and take its place in the bus queue." (Orderly, warm and dry....what's not to like here?)

Francine C. Beck believes: "At all levels, I believe we need voting machines made in the US of A with an automatic paper printout, or go back to a simple paper ballot. In either case, I believe they should be simple and uniform throughout. Polling places should be increased to include shopping malls and local rural grange halls, community centers and in some cases local grocers to cut down on drive time for those in rural communities. My favorite idea in general would be rolling voting buses with enough room for voting officials and watchdog groups on those buses. It would have to entail "early voting", but these buses could roll directly to high schools, colleges, Adult Communities, Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Shelters and Women's Safe Houses, etc. The problem with strictly on-line or mail only voting (as in Oregon), is that too many people get left out of the process. I continue to feel fortunate that I'm able to get information and voice my opinion on line but am all too aware that this luxury is not a given in many households."

Sam Mann postulates: "Too late to mitigate this time in this decentralized state by state fiasco. We need to rewrite the process to include weekend election day, port-o-john near the lines, EMTs at all polling places. Length of time for each voter is due to ballot initiatives. In Presidential elections, it might behoove us to make it a one race situation....President only. Have separate lines and booths for down ticket and initiatives. This would eliminate coat tails for candidates, AND the brutal lines. It would also ease the glitches, having reduced the punch cards or oval fillings or touch screen choices to ONE. Should be tabulated LIVE on internet. To mitigate lines this time would mean using many more ballot machines and increasing the polling places....see what Nevada does...you can vote in supermarkets and strip malls for example." (Sam is a friend of mine and a
heck of a guy)

Elaine Corn says: "The states have shown, like Wall Streeters, that they can't be trusted to competently and fairly get through an election. Suspect voting machines. Origami-shaped ballots. If it's gotten too daunting for a legislative body, let's say Florida's, to plan a fair election, then we're nothing more than the banana republics we monitor during THEIR elections. Here's my plan: If it's a federal election, standardize voting in all 50 states (that means you, FLA, OHIO). Same hours of operations, same voting machines, similarly shaped ballots and same ID requirements. The parties may not officiate at polling places, although they'll both try. The states may not hire graphic artists to design ballots. And sad to say, it appears we must prosecute ALL forms of voter fraud and suppression. That includes intimidation, illegal fraud calls -- arrest them on the spot. We must also repeal states' unfair concepts of proper ID (take THAT, Indiana!) and being able to register to vote without stating a party affiliation. I suppose this means nationalizing an election. Not a bad concept -- for a national election."

Ed Weirdness submits: "Increased parking. Express lane for straight party voters. Separate lines for the elderly, infirm, or special needs voters. Standardize id documents to one or two acceptable forms of identification. Allow workers to vote outside their district, closer to work. Remove all the signage at the polling places and use that space for additional parking." (I like the vote near work idea)

Molly Ciliberti writes: "Use paper ballots similar to the mail in ballots for those waiting in line. These can be scanned in and counted and they have no hanging chad, there is a paper copy of the vote. Have a Democrat and a Republican poll watcher at every polling place with a cell phone that can connect them to legal advice. Have signs at polling
places advising people of their rights." (Go paper ballots, scan them right on in there!!!)

Nate England says: "Declare 11/4 a national holiday. We celebrate all kinds of things with national holidays. Why not celebrate our democracy? Short of that, all of the polls with new machines or with any changes to the voting requirements should have State staff members available to walk the line to inform people of the changes and answer questions. It would be like at the airport where they have someone helping those in line to go to the right line or station. As an Oregonian, I must mention that we have no voting machines and no voting stations. All of our ballots are mailed to our homes and we mail them in. In other words, we are all treated as absentee voters. Only we do not have to request the ballot it is automatically sent to us each election. We've been doing it for years with great success."

Joshua Welch submits: "There shouldn't be any wait time. If all states did paper mail in ballots like Oregon we wouldn't have to worry about long lines or inclement weather standing in the way of Democracy. It's a disgrace that we do not have a national easy equitable voting method like Oregon."

Judee Barone posts: "I think the local election judges should attempt to verify that an individual is eligible to vote in that precinct/district while an individual is standing in line, if possible, before an individual approaches the judges' desk, and then it is determined that the individual is not registered in that precinct/district or not registered at all. This would eliminate the waiting time for the other registered voters in line. Also, I think the election judges/volunteers should provide a secure shelter, if needed and available, for the individuals waiting in line, if the line exceeds beyond the official polling place. Chairs should be provided, if possible, for anyone who may be unable to stand for a long time. I spoke to my Mother today, who said that she may NOT vote Tuesday, if she has to wait in line for too long because of her disability. [I'm buying her a portable folding chair!] However, I believe most of the responsibility should be on the individual voter to ensure that he/she takes the time and makes the effort to vote, as follows: 1. Be sure you go to the correct official polling place. I was an election day volunteer in my former Chicago precinct, and you would be amazed at how many people do not know where to go to vote! 2. MapQuest the route to your polling place, and do a practice run, if possible, especially if it's your first time voting at this specific place. 3. Allow enough time to travel to the polling place from your home or office. Include extra time for traffic and/or public transportation delays, for example. Most importantly, VOTE! Don't let the long lines, the delays, and/or the weather prevent you from voting! Take the responsibility, make the commitment, and VOTE!"(What?!!? Responsibility and accountability....what kind of commie are you anyway?)

Charly takes a unique approach: "Since the constitution states that we are innocent until proven guilt - any challenger to any voter must have overwhelming evidence of fraud, and sign a sworn affidavit with a $5000 bond. That might slow down the number of baseless claims against individuals trying to vote, and speed the process."

Richard A. Beserra believes: "We shouldn't wait until Tuesday. Under a different
administration there should be warnings that U.S. Citizens right to vote under the 14th, 15th & 19th Amendments are adversely affected if they have to wait in lines longer than say one hour. The threat of a law suit costing a county or state a judgment against them might cause a prudent secretary of state, state legislature and governor to provide the necessary voting equipment so that long waits of an hour or more are less expensive than monetary judgment for not dealing with the problem. As far as next Tuesday, States should announce now that polls will stay open until everyone votes and will open early so as to allow those people who work different shifts, have to deal with taking kids to school and picking them up and work, can arrange their time to go to the polls."

Neill Peterson writes: "One: issue numbers to people as they get to the polls, just like at the bakery, so they don't have to stand in line. Two, prosecute the incompetent or criminal Sectaries of State for intentionally interfering with the right of franchise." (Mmmmmm.....cheese danish!)

Audrey Fisher has the last word: "While waiting in line, have an election official with an electronic device scan and verify voter information and then direct people into different categories/lines. When an individual reaches the front of that line, Verification of voter and signature required: Stamp the Verification Card as "used" and Election Official signs/initials stamped card. Definition of Lines 1. Valid Voter Registration cards go to line ONE. 2. Voter Registration cards that need updating go to Line TWO.(change of address as the local ballot for each precinct will be different) 3. Let non-registered voters with proof of address and DOB go to line 3. Let them register to vote and issue Voter Registration Card/stamp/initial. All of this is requires an electronically linked database by CITY that is updated every 15-30 minutes to eliminate the possibility of anyone voting twice. This database should include Name/address/DOB/type of ID used so if Joe Smith DOB 1-1-1958 at 111 Oak St age 50 shows up at 2 different places the second local can direct that person to line 4 for further verification that they are either voting twice or there are 2 different individuals with same Name/DOB/address. If unable to verify then they will use provisional ballot? Not perfect, but maybe it will speed up the process. Those individuals who have followed all the rules should not be delayed by those who have either not kept up to date records, not registered, etc...and those who are trying to game the system will have to take a lot longer to express themselves. Oh yes, have an excessive number of voting machines. New registrants will be added to the database immediately to eliminate the possibility of duplicate voting. Anyone with a provisional ballot that is not verified ATF will not count and the name will be highlighted for future elections and a letter sent to the original voter explaining the possible problem with stolen identity along with type of action they will have to take in order to vote in any subsequent election. If the # of provisional ballots would affect the outcome of the election...then those individuals would be given 7 days to provide proof or the vote would be invalidated. The location for verification would be close to election site, so travel would not be an issue. Or we can do what they do in IRAQ....dip our fingers in potassium permanganate to avoid duplicate voting."

That's it, those are Your Takes on this issue. As so many have said, the most important thing we can do is to VOTE. Lines or no lines it is your duty, it is in your best interest, it is the most base thing you can do for the future and if you don't do it for those reasons....do it for ME! We will be back after the election with a new challenge for you.

Comments

[paulfree17]

I like the idea of a voting machine called a #2 Pencil. They work for the SAT. They can be read electtonically or visually. They can be filled out on line or in advance and just be dropped off at the polling place.

As far as vote counting goes, a sample of say one-hundred ballots is counted by hand and the same one hundred are scanned by computer. If the counts are the same the entire ballot box can be counted by computer. If not a larger sample is taken and if the results still do no match then the entire box is counted by hand. Slower but accurate.

[iPlato]

In Australia and New Zealand, every neighborhood has multiple places to vote, because every school is taken over and used by the the nationally-run Electoral Commission for the polling day. Also, no political advertisements or notices are allowed from midnight the night before, and must be taken down ahead of Election Day. Obviously, no partisan or political hecklers are allowed either, on Election Day itself. Each political party has its own observers at the polling place itself. In Australia, voting is mandatory.

A neighborhood of say 10,000 voters has access to on average, around nine or ten polling places. Throughput of voters is orderly and quick, polling places open from 7 to 7, with throughput up to 300 per hour per polling place, and waiting times usually not exceeding ten minutes.

This means that all votes are cast in exactly the same way all over the country in a very short space of time. Further, a standard voting form is used, and so standardized and easily audited methods are used to count and confirm votes everywhere, all linked to the central coordinating Electoral Commission. Requests for recounts are rare, but do occur.

[Barackaroo]

Have the vote on Saturday and Sunday.

Get rid of Electoral College.

Limit primary campaign to 2 months and the presidential to 3 months.

[DJBrunner]

I concur with a few minor adjustments (in order of importance):

The most important item is eliminating the Electoral College. The votes of the Dems who live in Red States and the Repugs who live in Blues States are essentially meaningless. Taking this action ensures that everyone's vote matters.

EVERY state must provide for early voting.

Eliminate ALL electronic voting machines.

Voting should be held on the first Saturday in November. The problem with allowing voting to occur over a two day period is that a percentage of people will decide not to vote based upon already knowing the results of the previous day.

Limit both the primary and presidential campaigns to six months. No campaigning or ads (or 527s) are allowed outside that time period.

All candidates participating in these elections MUST provide their tax and medical records before the campaign period. begins. Those who fail to comply would be declared ineligible.

[neocon666]

Ohio has a law that each polling place must have 1 machine for every 175 voters. I think that's a good start at cutting down on wait times and long lines.

[rbryanh]

Eliminate polling places, voting machines, lines, volunteers, and all the rest of it in favor of mail-in paper ballots, as Oregon has done so successfully. Our current approach is more ritual than sensible, and as we're seeing, the disadvantages are more than sufficient to justify letting go of any emotional attachment to tradition.

[kellygrrrl]

whatever we do here in CA seems to be working well. I have NEVER waited more than 5 minutes. Every single neighborhood has a polling place.
So obviously every state needs more polling places, more voting machines and NO touch-screen mess!

p.s. BAN DIEBOLD