Election day stories

i'm scared to go to school today...I go to a very conservative school, and last week someone told me I deserve to be sick and die because I advocate stem-cell research for a cure for myself. As if that's not bad enough, the wonderful student government decided to have a mock-election...yes, definitely a wild day.

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I went to vote in Jersey City before coming in to work. Sadly there were only three other people there when I went. But according to the slip I recieved I was the 58th voter in my district, which is pretty small. One of the poll workers said they really don't get busy until after work. A friend of mine who lives in another district said he didn't go vote this morning because the line was huge, so he plans to go during lunch.
I was asked by someone who I voted for on the way out, but they wouldn't say what organization they were with so I didn't tell them.

I got back from voting a bit ago. When I checked in the poll lady said that our street was here favorite because we all always turn out to vote! While waiting in line I ssaw 3 or 4 of my neighbors and when I got home several more were on their way to the polls and now my son just left, to vote for his very first time!

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I'm heading out to my new voting place, which is a firehouse. I'll be wearing my "Firefighters For Kerry" t-shirt, not that I am a firefighter, but I dated one once, so I figure that will give me something to talk about with the fellas.

Then, this is the part I am excited about, my friend and I were chosen at random to be in the audience for a live broadcast of the Al Franken Show on Air America Radio. If you get Air America, or stream it on the web, listen for me in the background. I'll be the guy going, "Woooooo!"

Air America

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worried about lines, i got up at 6:15 and stumbled down to the school a few blocks from my lovely apartment. the women who ushered me in (median age 167 easy) exclaimed what a madhouse it was and i saw the lines and the people having trouble in the booths, already cursing the slowness of the process and my heart fell as i settled in for a long morning at school (hello, i quit teaching to avoid this sh*te). then i noticed that the machines were broken up by voting district and began to look around for mine. lo and behold there was my district, a quartet of three young women and a middle aged man sitting and smilin and laughing at the fact that there was no line at their booth. i chatted them up and the process went as smooth as silk. in and out in under 10 minutes! although they did ask, "are you really a republican?"

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same with me, papa. district line was SHORT!

except for the crazy old hag who treated each of use like none of us had ever voted before. it was very off-putting and i'm convinced she is a paid Bush operative.

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Judge orders GOP to halt poll tactics

Mike Madden, Argus Leader Washington Bureau published: 11/2/2004

Daschle sues to stop 'intimidation' of Indians

Republican poll workers in Lake Andes were intimidating Native American voters on Monday, a federal judge ruled early today.

Republicans may not write down license plate numbers or follow Native Americans from polling places during today's election, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Piersol ruled in a temporary restraining order.

The ruling comes after Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle sued his opponent, John Thune, and the GOP in federal court in Sioux Falls on Monday, asking Piersol to stop what Democrats say was intimidation of voters.

"This ruling will hopefully ensure that every legitimate voter can vote free of intimidation on Election Day," said Daschle spokesman Dan Pfeiffer.

Piersol, whom Daschle chose for the federal bench, released his opinion about 1:45 a.m. today after hearing one witness from each side.

Daschle is depending on heavy turnout from Native American voters to win an expected close election.

Republicans had not decided whether to appeal, as of early today.

"It's a total joke," said Dick Wadhams, Thune's campaign manager. "What you've got is a situation where there is no credible evidence presented and the judge bent over backward for his long-time political pal."

Daschle charges that GOP poll observers have been crowding voters, making notes as they voted and writing down license plate numbers of cars bringing them to vote.

Reporter Mike Madden covers Congress for the Argus Leader. Reach him at mmadden@gannett.com.
Judge orders GOP to halt poll tactics

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Huge line this morning that I decided I couldn't wait in (people were telling me the wait was over an hour)... I'm going to try once more in a few and see if the line is any better, then I'm on my way to work. If it's not, I'll just bolt out of work a little early and vote after work tonight.

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I waited about 1 hour and a half in DC. The Mayor of DC was shaking hands of those of us waiting in line. Now it's a half hour later and there's no one in line. Go figure.

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Yesterday I was talking with co-workers and I told them that I don't even have to go outdoors to vote as the lobby of my building is the local polling place. I jokingly said "I could even go in my bathrobe if I wanted to." one of my buddies said "yea right" which was basically throwing a glove in my face.

So when I woke up, I put on my robe and slippers, grabbed my keys and ID and walked 20 feet to the elevator and then got in line.

After waiting in line for over an hour, I voted then went back upstairs.

I only wish I'd gotten a polaroid of it.

I just voted! I feel accomplished.

Seriously guys, I think the younger generation is gonna have a better turnout for this election than any previous ones. With all the newly registered voters (mostly young), I think they're gonna be the wildcard. I hope the 18-30 year olds show up at the polls in droves. I know they typically have the lowest voter turnout, but I think they can swing this election in favor of Kerry honestly. I think the college students especially are gonna be a really present force in this election.

On my campus in Albany NY, some people have already voted. More are going to. They've gotta wake up first though. Hehe. There was a nice line when I went about half an hour ago. They've got a polling booth on every quad I think. The very nice lady showed me exactly what to do and I wanted to make sure I didn't screw it up. Every. Vote. Counts. At dinner tonight, I plan on standing up and screaming, "If you haven't voted yet, get your asses up there now! Rock the vote!" or something to that effect.

How many of you are first time voters?

I know I am =)

Third-time voter. First time it's been for a Congressional or Presidential election.

Did I mention I feel sick? Oh, God.