democracy
My polling place (6th Precinct, 500 South Ave, "Thunderdome") was a comedy of errors.
Polls opened at 6am, so I woke up at 5:45 and headed down. My next-door neighbor and I were first and second in line. The custodian was late to open the room, so the workers were still getting set up well into 6:30.
There were two machines, the old tab-and-handle style, and a new electronic touch screen that looked like a high-volume photocopier. There was much argument about where to place the machine. It was finally determined that the cord was a trip hazard, so the best orientation would be for the touchscreen to face the line of waiting voters.
The two little old ladies setting up the touchscreen were having a really hard time of it.
"It says we put the RFID tag here when the beeping stops."
[BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP]
"I can't hear the beeping."
"It's still beeping."
"It says Administrator Denied."
"Oh...we have to call this number..."
Just as I was next in line and the room was filling up, the lady running the show announced, "Oh! I forgot to tell everyone, you have the option of voting electronically! But it takes 15 minutes, and your vote doesn't get counted until a week later!"
I asked her what the good part was. She just laughed and said "...yeah..."
Polls opened at 6am, so I woke up at 5:45 and headed down. My next-door neighbor and I were first and second in line. The custodian was late to open the room, so the workers were still getting set up well into 6:30.
There were two machines, the old tab-and-handle style, and a new electronic touch screen that looked like a high-volume photocopier. There was much argument about where to place the machine. It was finally determined that the cord was a trip hazard, so the best orientation would be for the touchscreen to face the line of waiting voters.
The two little old ladies setting up the touchscreen were having a really hard time of it.
"It says we put the RFID tag here when the beeping stops."
[BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP]
"I can't hear the beeping."
"It's still beeping."
"It says Administrator Denied."
"Oh...we have to call this number..."
Just as I was next in line and the room was filling up, the lady running the show announced, "Oh! I forgot to tell everyone, you have the option of voting electronically! But it takes 15 minutes, and your vote doesn't get counted until a week later!"
I asked her what the good part was. She just laughed and said "...yeah..."