We stuck to our plan and were at the polling place by 6:00 a.m. sharp. Two hundred people were already in front of us.
We stood outside the church and around the block. The entire process took 2 hours and 15 minutes, from 6:00 - 8:15 a.m. I was voter #196 and J.D. was #197. The line was even longer when we left.
On the positive side, we did get to see the sunrise. On the negative side, even with warm coats and clothes, it got quite chilly. At least we were dressed appropriately for waiting on our feet and in the cold. I have no idea why the college girl in front of us decided 5 inch black stiletto heels and a mini skirt (with fringe) were appropriate. I didn't realize elections were the time and place to look for hot dates.
Anyway, feel free to share your election stories too! I'd like to hear about what's going on for everyone today all over the country.
p.s. When I went back to the polls this afternoon it had really slowed down. I was able to walk right into the church. There were only about 25 people in line. Don't I feel dumb. But in other places they are continuing to have big problems. In North St. Louis they have 300+ people in line waiting on average 7 hours to vote. But they say the people are determined and are waiting no matter what. I hope so.
13 comments:
I voted several weeks ago already. The state of Idaho was trying to encourage as many people to vote absentee as possible since they were expecting high turnout and I think we have new voting machines this election that they were afraid would confuse some people. So they mailed absentee ballots to all registered voters.
My boyfriend, who participated in early voting at a polling place instead of using the mail-in absentee ballots, was worried that my vote would not be counted. He told me he'd heard on the radio that if you don't fill it in exactly right, they'll throw it out. Whatever. I've filled in enough Scan-Tron sheets in my lifetime. I can handle shading in a few ovals.
My mom had me read candidates' answers from the Idaho Statesman voter guide aloud to her while she filled out her absentee ballot. One Republican candidate challenging a Democratic incumbent for an Idaho Legislature seat identified the Idaho politician he most admired as "Ralph Smeed." Yes, Tammy, that Ralph Smeed -- the guy with the sign with the owl on it. That answer made my mom, a moderate conservative, vote Democrat. And incumbent, in a year she was in the mood to throw the bums out.
I gave my mom additional background on some of the candidates in a few of the races, but I tried not to be too partisan about it for the most part. Except for one race. I really lobbied her to vote against Bill Sali. This is a guy who's voted in favor of dogfighting and cockfighting; who thinks God will punish the U.S. for allowing a Hindu prayer to be said in the Senate and for electing a Muslim, Rep. Keith Ellison; who proposed a bill to partially repeal the law of gravity; and who claims abortions cause breast cancer. I told Mom about instances where Sali has voted against the interests of rural, Conservative Idaho. This is the one race I asked her who she voted for after she had sealed her ballot. She told me she voted for his opponent, Minnick. I'm so proud.
Hi Lora! Sounds like you were smart and voted early.
"Ralph Smeed," seriously, sheesh.
Yeah, that's an immediate disqualification.
Ok, you have to please explain this one more: "proposed a bill to partially repeal the law of gravity"?! Are you kidding? Please say you are joking.
I was not able to persuade my family at all about this election.
(Oh, I'm getting nervous now that it's close to the polls closing).
Do you have any election party plans tonight?
I voted about two weeks ago. Mail in ballots are the only option in the state where I'm registered. However, I'm out of the state for most of this year (for classic education related reasons) so I had someone forward my ballot to me. I sent it back Priority Mail with delivery confirmation. I wanted to make sure my vote was counted.
I just got back from an election party.
No, I'm not kidding about Sali's anti-gravity bill, although he was being facetious (it was a stupid point he was trying to make about the minimum wage bill). Here's a couple links about it:
http://mountaingoatreport.typepad.com/the_mountaingoat_report/2007/01/sali_proposed_s.html
http://www.ridenbaugh.com/index.php/2007/01/13/sci-fi-speeches/
More than you ever wanted to know about Bill Sali can be found here:
http://mountaingoatreport.typepad.com/the_mountaingoat_report/2008/10/sali.html
Oh, forgot to mention -- Minnick's beating Sali 53-47%, with just 22% of precincts reporting. Cross your fingers.
Wow, well, Obama is now President Elect!
I can go to sleep soon. It's been a long day for everyone I'm sure.
I do feel inspired. Obama's speech made me want to volunteer and give even more to various causes and organizations.
I just feel so good about a message that isn't about what I can get but what I can give.
Let's hope this is really a new page in American history.
Raise your cyber glasses with me in a toast to the future.
p.s. My only wish now is to wake up and see Missouri blue, but that probably won't happen. Oh well, it's all only bonus from here.
Much happiness and hope tonight, hugs to all my friends. -Tammy
Well, Missouri isn't blue. For some reason, it's still grey on my map...hmmm....but you do have a blue governor. Yay! I also watched Obama's speech and then promptly fell asleep on the couch with Clarence on me. I was mad because I was reading Olivia her bedtime stories when the actual 'moment' came, so I made Michael rewind the TV so I could watch it (yay DVR!).
We watched McCain's speech and we were impressed with his graciousness and rather shocked with the boos from his audience, but then again his negativity in the campaign really invited those boos, you know?
We both really liked Obama's speech, especially since it echoed both MLK and Lincoln. We were watching MSNBC, and someone made a comment that Obama and Lincoln are the two historic presidents to come from Illinois and it was my 'awe shucks' moment, and also my wow, isn't that karma? moment.
Anyway, I am also very happy today because Prop 2 passed; that is an animal rights measure in California that improves conditions for animals on factory farms. But I am also very depressed because it seems that indeed, Prop 8 has passed and gay marriage will be banned in CA. So this is a very happy day, but also a sad day too.
And now I will take Cupcake (or Pupcake as Livvie calls her) to her abortion. At least cats can still get them legally.
I forgot to add....are they doing a recount or something?
Yes, sadly Missouri is red. Its bellwether status is gone, maybe for good. Maybe it also indicates a bit of a sad note.
I was looking for blue to send the message that Missouri really has overcome the stigmas of its past involving the Dred Scott case and the "Missouri Compromise."
It was close though:
John McCain (Rep) 1,442,577 49%
Barack Obama (Dem) 1,436,724 49%
(5,853) votes. Maybe if I would have knocked on a few more doors. Dang it! I didn't want to be feeling a "maybe" today. At least the bigger picture makes me feel good.
It is an awesome moment for Illinois in particular and our country overall. You have to think there is something deeply poetic about it.
I can't believe Prop 8 passed. I didn't seriously think it would, but I underestimated the support against it. I hope at least it will not be effective retroactively for those couples already married.
I'm not hearing anything about a recount here. There were problems and discrimination though. I know there have been a lot of charges of turning voters away and having lines that took over 8 hours in heavily African American areas. Many people also received a text message about voting on the 5th instead of the 4th.
Good luck with Cupcake the election kitty.
Ok, not 5,853 doors, but anyway, you know what I mean.
Well they might be red, but St. Louis is still blue!
Sorry for the delay in posting, but ... Minnick won! Wheeeee!
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