Adventures in Early Voting
So I went down to vote early today, hoping to miss Nov 4th's crowds.
No luck. The place was packed tighter than a brautwurst with people eager to cast a ballot. The problem seemed to originate with the lack-of-logic line setup. Voters stand in line for the voting counter, get an early voting form...then leave to fill it out, then stand in line at the same counter to give the form and ID. ...THEN go wait for your name to be called for your turn to vote. All in a room the size of a closet.
On top of that, there was not one sign in the entire building pointing people to early voting. Not one. Anywhere. And about five feet away from the voting line was a line for marriage licenses and deeds. People were so freaking confused and had a really hard time finding the voting line.
Some folks would come, see the line(s), and turn on their heels to leave. After a few of them took off, I decided I had to do something. This illogical setup was ruining the fabric of democracy! (Okay, that's a little dramatic, but I've been hearing too much McCain lately.)
I grabbed a brightly covered envelope from my purse (don't ask), and a marker from one of the clerk's desks and made my own sign. Then I asked another clerk for some tape.
My makeshift "Voting: line straight ahead" sign (it was easier to read in person).
Whew. Signage. Even if it is crappy.
Most new arrivals would ask for directions first, and since I'd been standing waiting for my name to be called forever, I became the unofficial voting greeter.
This is how it went:
New Voting Line Person: "Is this the voting line??
Me: "Yes! Isn't this turnout exciting?!?"
After just one of those, other people around me joined in, with a positive ring in their voices, "Yeah, this is great, a long line is a blessing." We all began welcoming newcomers to the democracy family...there was no way they were leaving after that.
It worked. We closed the 'back door', and no one else left the rest of the time I was there.
Oddly, neither of the county clerks had any reaction whatsoever to my earlier requests, except to accommodate them. So I tried my luck again and went back up there. I suggested that if those in line had a form while waiting, they could fill it out before reaching the counter, then have no need for a second trip before waiting for their name to be called. To my shock, they actually came out from behind the counter and started handing them out. The whole line started moving faster.
The rest of the wait was actually quite fun, and all those around me were having a good time helping other voters find where they needed to be, fill-out forms, and talk about how excited they are to vote (everyone in the vicinity was voting Obama, and were very vocal about it -- a very informal poll, and not a shocker, being Chicagoland).
It was a great feeling to finally push my little touchscreen ballot, then verify three hundred times that it didn't accidentally switch me to voting Old Man McCain.
On the way out of there, I realized I needed to get my butt down to volunteer. Fast. So, I went to Obama's website and signed up for phone bank duty at Obama's Chicago Headquarters this week. I'll also see what I can do about volunteering at our local polling station on election day. They seriously need it.
I'm feeling good about having this experience early so I can do what I can to help. Plus, that's one more vote for the guy who doesn't have the kooky idea of freezing government spending as a solution for our fragile economy...
cross-posted at kimmance.com
Follow Kim Mance on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kimmance
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It's so nice to be able to be happy about long lines for once! I'm so excited to find out how many people actually vote in this election.
I have to say, early voting for the first time in my life, it felt amazing to fill in that little dot for Obama. More than any other vote in my life. Here in North Carolina, we have a somewhat confusing ballot, but when I have gone out canvassing for Obama, one of the things we go over and over with voters is how they have to vote first for president, then for straight ticket (or not), and then for non-partisan candidates. I wish there were some way to be sure my vote was counted correctly, too. Since we fill out a paper ballot, there is a paper trail (for backup only), but it is then scanned into a computer and I worry that the computers might flip some votes. Guess there is no way to be sure. But I have my fingers crossed. Hope!
Thanks for taking control of our election with a seemingly small gesture that created a big result!!In
We are not experiencing the same problems here in CA, however I like to think that I would stay all day if we were... My kids roll their eyes when I get to talking to people in public lines but throughly enjoy the positive atmosphere that can spread once the ice is broken. My friend and her daughter are going to rural Nevada this weekend to canvas door to door...Nev
Here's a website that shows you FL early voters (broken down by counties):
https://do
This is my favorite blog post ever!
Well, until next week anyway.
You betcha!!!! He may not be wrapped up in pretty ribbons and bows but it sure does feel like Christmas is just around the corner!!! Ms Mance's story just let me know that one more person is out there watching our back so we don't end up with a bag of coal ! !!!
Early voting in Utah had a wait of about one hour yesterday. It is really exciting. (even though I'm pretty sure a lot of votes were for McCain)
Waited an hour to vote for Obama/Biden, and I would wait 10 if I had to!
if ever there was an alternative universe, it is being an obama/biden supporter in the land of laxalt and hatch and mitt and mormons. i hope your chakras are aligned and your auras are clear.
good lord that is a tough path.
You've just been awarded the Order of 5Rivers. wll done!
OBAMA/BIDEN 2008
Good for you! Way to problem-solve! Almost makes me wish my state wasn't vote-by-mail! I just mailed in my ballot casting my vote for Obama, by the way.
I sent my ballot in by mail in Cobb County Georgia because the wait in line for early voting is 2 1/2 hours!!!!!! The local paper reports that one poor elderly woman passed out in the line on Monday. She was attended to by paramedics and then stayed to vote. Maybe some of us should volunteer by taking chairs, sodas, and cookies to the people in line. (I wonder if that would be allowed.)
I had the same idea this morning about taking beverages and food to the people waiting in line. Please let us know what you find out.
As Florida voters, my wife and I also took Senator Obama's advice and voted early. The lines were long, but things moved relatively quickly and seemingly without any problems. By the way, Jacksonville uses an electronic scanning device. This provides a paper trail if one is needed.
Senator Obama may be somewhat disappointed since we both voted the McCain/Palin ticket. In addition, for the first time ever, we both also voted a straight Republican ticket in the local and state races.
early votes, even for straight repub ticket, will ease lines on election day. thanks for exercising your right to vote and your right to free speech. may the best candidates win.
go kim!!! there were similar problems @ my early voting place, but luckily a) there were no other lines to confuse voters, and b) the pro-active steps you took were taken by the staff @ the ATL courthouse. the room we were in looks as if it is bigger than the one in your county, but once they started handing out forms as people came in, the room still stayed full, but only b/c as people left, new ones came in. and this was way back on october 3rd, so let's hope all the early voting locations around the country are packed "tighter than bratwurst"
great job kim, in putting through some common sense to the country clerks on how to improve the efficiency and reduce the waiting time.
Yeah!! Voting. Democracy in action. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
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