Voting problems?

Velocity_14 · #1 10-17-2008, 06:09 PM

I live in Tennessee as well, and was able to vote on today. Thankfully, I didn't have any problems at all and didn't have to wait in a line. Shoot...she didn't even ask for my id...she just took my my voter's registration card and gave me my paper to sign and so forth. The lady told me I came in at the right time because there had been lines out of the door all day. LOL...everyone in there was old but they were really nice and seemed to be in a good mood

.

AGDee · #2 10-17-2008, 06:16 PM

I don't really get why some states do early voting. What's the point of having an election day? I understand absentee ballots, but not early voting.

Velocity_14 · #3 10-17-2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDee

I don't really get why some states do early voting. What's the point of having an election day? I understand absentee ballots, but not early voting.

Some people like to avoid long lines that may lead to you not being able to vote. For others, you don't have to worry about taking the day off from work or trying to figure out when you will be able to leave work to go vote---sure you can go on your lunch hour but there is no certainty that you may be able to get through the line in an hour and back to work. I think it is good we have these early voting options to ensure that all those who are able and eligible to vote can do so... just my opinion though...

ComradesTrue · #4 10-17-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velocity_14

Some people like to avoid long lines that may lead to you not being able to vote. For others, you don't have to worry about taking the day off from work or trying to figure out when you will be able to leave work to go vote---sure you can go on your lunch hour but there is no certainty that you may be able to get through the line in an hour and back to work. I think it is good we have these early voting options to ensure that all those who are able and eligible to vote can do so... just my opinion though...

Concur with all these valid reasons.

In addition, there are those of us who are pregnant with due dates very near election day. I will be voting early this coming Monday to ensure that I do get to cast a vote. I am actually a little disapointed, as I do like the excitement of voting with the masses, but for obvious reasons I do not want to take a chance this year.

AGDee · #5 10-17-2008, 09:48 PM

Just seems like that's what Absentee ballots would be for. If it gets more people voting, I guess it's a good thing. It just seems expensive to have to have poll workers for weeks and weeks. I presume you go to city hall for early voting?

DoctorD · #6 10-17-2008, 09:58 PM

AGDee - I early voted today. The hope is to reduce long lines on election day, and yes, I went to the county courthouse rather than my precinct to vote. My state has already had over 1/2 million voters cast ballots through early voting.

My understanding [and I could be VERY wrong] is that absentee ballots are only counted IF there is a reason to count them - this way I know that my vote counted. I also don't have to drive way out of my way to go vote - I pass the courthouse just about every day. I live at the very edge of my precinct, so the drive would be about 15 miles.. not that that is an excuse - just something that crossed my mind as to why I would want to early vote.

And it seemed to me that the people working the polls [maybe that is poll? there is only one place to do early voting as opposed to multiple places] were people who would be working anyway - folks had official county nametags on, and I got shushed by someone who was working because I was quietly [at least I thought I was quiet] talking to my children about the voting process as I voted.

I have my "I voted" sticker in the car - will wear it on election day

Velocity_14 · #7 10-17-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDee

I presume you go to city hall for early voting?

It varies depending on where you are. In my county (in TN), there are about 6 or so early voting locations, so you are able to go somewhere near your home or wherever you are.

UGAalum94 · #8 10-19-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDee

Just seems like that's what Absentee ballots would be for. If it gets more people voting, I guess it's a good thing. It just seems expensive to have to have poll workers for weeks and weeks. I presume you go to city hall for early voting?

I think that early voting was a way to offer absentee voting for people without their having to meet any absentee requirements. It is pretty much filling the same niche as people voting absentee who didn't really need to do so.

RaggedyAnn · #9 10-17-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velocity_14

I live in Tennessee as well, and was able to vote on today. Thankfully, I didn't have any problems at all and didn't have to wait in a line. Shoot...she didn't even ask for my id...she just took my my voter's registration card and gave me my paper to sign and so forth. The lady told me I came in at the right time because there had been lines out of the door all day. LOL...everyone in there was old but they were really nice and seemed to be in a good mood

.

I never understood why they don't ask for an ID. It's the same in my state. We don't even show a voter registration card. We just give our name and sign.

Velocity_14 · #10 10-17-2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaggedyAnn

I never understood why they don't ask for an ID. It's the same in my state. We don't even show a voter registration card. We just give our name and sign.

It is weird. This is the second time that I have not had to to show my id but I have always had to show my voter registration card at least. I wonder was it because it was not busy during this time...I don't know...just speculating...

Tippiechick · #11 10-17-2008, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velocity_14

It is weird. This is the second time that I have not had to to show my id but I have always had to show my voter registration card at least. I wonder was it because it was not busy during this time...I don't know...just speculating...

You don't have to show ID. That's what pissed me off so badly. ALL I legally had to do was show her my voter reg. card.

There are three main options in the link towards the beginning of the thread.

Buttonz · #12 10-19-2008, 03:42 PM

I used to work the polls, and I miss doing them. I was always the youngest there.

You don't have to show ID. End of story.

I'm nervous this year, because my polling place has been changed. While it's still easy for me to get to, this is the place that I have gone to my entire life, first when I was a kid with my mom and then to vote and work the election. I just hope the same usual people are working it, then I know I won't have an issue. But if there are new people..I know it's going to be hard.

My boss is going to love me telling her I'm taking longer then a half hour lunch hour because I'm going to vote. I'm planning on taking lunch later then normal (or maybe earlier) so the lines won't be super long at least.

The best time to go to vote on the day of election? Between 6:15 and 6:30. No line, no wait. Before work, 12-2 and after work are the worse.

UGAalum94 · #13 10-19-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buttonz

I used to work the polls, and I miss doing them. I was always the youngest there.

You don't have to show ID. End of story.

You do in Georgia, but it's a relatively new requirement and it took several court cases to make sure the requirement stuck.

ETA: you apparently do in Indiana too: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/pri...9/voterid.html

Buttonz · #14 10-19-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

You do in Georgia, but it's a relatively new requirement and it took several court cases to make sure the requirement stuck.

ETA: you apparently do in Indiana too: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/pri...9/voterid.html

O wow. I am actually all for showing ID I think it'sa good thing.

I'm in NY btw, so I should have said in NY you don't have to.