Nov 4 2008
Voting Thread
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It’s hard to believe that election day is finally here. For months, nothing has been more prominent in my mind and my reading than this election. I feel so blessed to not only have the opportunity to vote, but to have cast my ballot for Obama via mail two weeks ago. I hope that if you have the right to vote, you exercise it no matter who your candidate is. Don’t stand on the sidelines this time. It’s too important. Please drop a comment below and tell us about your voting experience. I’ve loved reading those anecdotes on other sites, particularly if you had to wait in line.
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Nov 04, 2008 @ 09:26:11
Going now before work!! And taking my 7 year old to stand in line with me. She supports Obama and she wants her voice heard.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 09:28:06
Went before work this morning. Took DH and eldest- her first time *sigh*.
Oh, and for the record- 3 votes for Obama ;-)
Nov 04, 2008 @ 09:52:43
Went about three weeks ago when Russ Feingold was in town for a stump. After the speech, people were led into the municipal building for voting. I dragged my girls to the front of the line and wound up waiting only about five minutes. Overall a pretty painless experience. This morning I babysat for two families who wanted to go wait as the polls opened. Now I’m off to canvass. Can’t wait to breathe again.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 10:17:17
I’m voting on the way home tonight — the polls weren’t open when I left for work this morning at ohmygod o’clock. And I’ll stand in line as long as necessary, because the ability to vote is worth a little inconvenience.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 10:34:23
I voted absentee ages ago. But my sister is taking my son with her to the polls this morning. He’s excited, but mostly because he gets a ride to school. However, politics has been much discussed in our house lately, and he’s surprisingly informed.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 10:43:01
I voted Friday. I live in a small town, I work for the two largest employers in the region, and I have school aged children, so I knew half the people there, both voting and working/volunteering. Voting is always for me at once a prideful and communal moment, because my pride is in my citizenship in the US and my membership in my great community.
There was the usual chatter about the end of soccer season, the upcoming Halloween trick or treating and what the kids are wearing, the gabbing about leaf raking and how long we could put it off before they got snowed on. But there was a somberness I don’t recall experiencing before.
I felt incredibly lucky to be able to cast my first presidential vote for an African American man, something I did not foresee in my lifetime, one who will — more importantly — make a great president.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 10:47:50
I voted absentee a couple of weeks ago, as did one of my daughters and her husband. My husband voted early the first day the early polling sites opened, and my younger daughter voted on Saturday, so we are all done, and did our best for Obama. We’re in a swing state, so things have been pretty tense around here, and I’m glad I don’t have to go to the polls today. I feel as though if he wins it will be solely due to the amount of time I’ve spent over the last two months compulsively checking the latest news on Huffington and Politico.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 10:54:57
Early voting For The Win! First day early voting opened in NC, we were there. I almost cried–it was so wonderful voting FOR hope, rather than against someone like I did in 2004.
Our house is a Staging Location for GOTV in NC, so we’ve been working for the past four days and my husband has the day off school (all schools off in our county) and will be working all day. Then it’s up all night for returns watching.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 10:59:53
DH and I filled out our ballots and turned them in on Oct. 24. I let my 9-yr-old son color in the Obama bubble, and he placed my ballot in the box, while our 6-yr-old daughter placed DH’s for him. As it turned out, DH’s father passed away suddenly that very day, and we had to take an emergency trip to CA. In the midst of all the sadness, and trying to clean out his apartment and shut down his business (both of which he’d occupied — and filled up/never cleaned — for over 31 years), I kept thinking: Thank God we already voted.
It is such a privilege. I don’t understand the folks in our country who don’t get that, or intentionally waste their opportunity. Let’s hope we have record turnouts today, regardless of the outcome! (But — go OBAMA! *;?))
Nov 04, 2008 @ 11:12:24
I went around 6:30 because that’s as early as I could drag myself out of bed. I had hoped I wouldn’t have to stand in line but, alas, I got there and the line for A-L was out the door (lucky M-Z bastards). I stood outside for probably close to 40 minutes so it’s a good thing it wasn’t too terribly cold although by the time I got inside I almost dropped my driver’s license because my hands were numb as to while away the time outside I read a book while listening to the Mamma Mia soundtrack (I tried to contain my singing but I hummed a lot surely driving the people around me mad).
From my understanding the line was long because there was some difficulty with machines at 6am and I can only assume they meant the scanning machine because at my precinct we use paper ballots and at least from accounts in the office it’s unusual that I had to wait in line as long as I did because every one else was in and out quickly even if they only arrived at 7am.
And I still haven’t received an I Voted sticker. Ever.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 11:13:56
Your poll results make my heart sing like a chorus of little birdies. :-)
Me, hubbie and mom just voted. All siblings have been duly notified to vote when they get out of work OR ELSE (not that they need much convincing). My son “voted” in school yesterday (for Obama, naturally – he made up his own mind, and he’s only 12).
This is the first time ever I’m actually watching the election results. Tonight, one way or another, I’m going to get very, very drunk. ;-)
Nov 04, 2008 @ 11:26:11
I voted early.
I live in Hyde Park, Chicago, and today, it feels like anything and everything that can be for Obama is–trees, rocks, billboards, all the people, most of the dogs, and even (ow ow my eyes) bedazzled sequins spelling out “Obama 08″ on a pair of pants. I kid you not.
There’s just so much energy in Chicago right now.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 11:35:17
Courtney, I live in Chicago, too (about 12 blocks from Grant Park). It’s so exciting, I can’t stand it. I can’t even concentrate on work.
I voted at 6:00am this morning. Only took about 25 minutes.
OBAMA!!!
Nov 04, 2008 @ 11:43:57
I cast one of the votes for “I didn’t vote because I don’t live in the US, am not a[n American] citizen.”
Nov 04, 2008 @ 12:17:51
I just walked my daughter to school (in the rain), voted at same place, and walked home. No lines, no traffic, no waiting. I was kind of disappointed! As if a monumentous occasion shouldn’t be completed with so little fanfare.
Guess I can’t complain about quickness and convenience. : )
Nov 04, 2008 @ 12:21:17
I voted, but my choice is not in the above poll (It is now! Thanks Jane!). I went mid-morning and there weren’t that many people there. It’s usually calm that time of day and it was today as well, which was nice.
I’m rather ambivalent about the outcome of the election today, truth be told. The candidate I chose has no chance at winning, but I wanted to show my support for his platform. But the cliche always holds true when it comes to politicians. The more things change the more they stay the same. I’m not expecting much. Well, maybe then I’ll be pleasantly surprised. :)
Nov 04, 2008 @ 13:34:16
I’ll be voting on Saturday.
We have our election then and sadly, I think it’s a choice between two bad options. (Can I vote for Cthulhu? “Vote Cthulhu; why settle for the lesser evil?”)
Seriously though, I’ve made my choices and will be making my voice heard. I just hope it makes a difference.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 13:40:30
Voted today in a glory of sunshine and brilliant leaf color, which seemed appropriate, since I can’t recall another election in which I was both driven to vote and glad to vote.
Running errands afterward, there were several delightful silent social interactions of seeing someone advance, a moment of mutual recognition of “I Voted Today” stickers, and mutual smiles of congratulations.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 15:09:26
If it were up to the English people, Obama would win this thing hands down, we love him over here in good old England.
Let’s hope people vote the way they say they’re going to, or it could be a very long four years of holding on to the desperate hope that nothing bad happens to McCain. God help us all if the worst should happen.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 15:19:57
I voted early for Obama. I am in a swing state as well and am on tenterhooks until I’m sure my state has swung the correct direction for a change. All of the family (except my oldest) have voted Obama and my oldest promised me he’d stand in line until he voted for the O man tonight, however long it takes. I intend to hold him to it. Most Americans love Obama too, if one can believe the polls.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 15:24:22
I voted and now I’m totally jacked on free Starbucks coffee.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 16:48:43
My son is on the staff of a local progressive candidate, following all levels of the election closely. He called me before my first class today, crying with joy, to tell me that Obama was 5 points ahead in exit polls in Indiana (where he grew up, and “learned to be a liberal the hard way” as he puts it). I’ve been a bit cynical at points in this election, but the young people are starting to convince me that maybe we can “be the change we want to see.” Small steps, such as electing a moderate like Obama, are likely the best.
I cheated a little in the poll — I read DA during lunch, waiting for the lunchtime crowd at the polling place to thin out. NOW I’m going to go vote!
Nov 04, 2008 @ 16:53:26
I voted last week, standing in line with 300 other folks, probably 65-35 women to men, as the temps dropped. But y’all will be happy to know that I read my first Silhouette Special Edition while I did it. And talked to some really nice women who were as glad to see the (heated) inside of the building as I was.
I live in a state that was decidedly red last week but is now considered a toss up. And though my eldest brother and I voted for different presidential candidates, we’ll all still have Thanksgiving together.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 16:53:44
I voted today for Obama. This election has me so nervous, but not just because of the Presidential race. I live in California so we also have Proposition 8 (constitutional ban on same sex marriages) to deal with. I just don’t understand how anyone can claim it’s about anything other than discrimination.
As for my polling place- I’ve never seen so many people there on election day. Usually, I’m lucky if there’s one or two other people voting there with me. Today, the line was out the door. It was awesome!
Nov 04, 2008 @ 17:06:07
Voted today at 2pm. My usual time. I was surprised to see a cross section of age and race there. Usually it is me and a lot of people older than I am which makes them very old indeed. *grin*
In fact, I’m usually number 103 to vote but today I was number 554. I’m also in a swing state and I certainly hope it swings for Obama.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 17:14:15
The husband and I voted today (in line at 6:21, out at 7:28) along with the son and d-i-l, while the daughters both voted early last week. Haven’t checked with the stepson. (Two votes Obama, four votes McCain; for anyone keeping track, we live in a red state.)
Nov 04, 2008 @ 17:16:36
I voted for Obama today, and for the first time in a long time, I felt viscerally that I was exercising my rights as a US citizen and that voting really meant something significant (and I’m pretty sure that puts me in the “fake America” along with all the other liberal un-Americans). No matter what happens with this election (not that I feel so sanguine about the outcome — I’ve been anxious for days), change is occurring, young people are energized, engaged participatory democracy is emerging after a long hibernation, and the country’s awareness is shifting substantially. And I’m so excited about that!
Nov 04, 2008 @ 19:07:55
Blah, those MCcain votes disgust me.
Nov 04, 2008 @ 23:24:12
WOOT! WTG America!
Yay, President Obama :)
Nov 05, 2008 @ 02:00:55
The first part is done. Now let’s hope the Secret Service do their jobs so Obama can work on fulfilling his promises.
Nov 05, 2008 @ 02:06:17
What Ann said. Totally.
OK, now I’m off to bed. Watching history being made is damned hard work. *g*