Voting progress as of 5 PM...
I just heard on the news that the MI secretary of state reported that as of 5 PM, 60% of MI's registerred voters have cast their ballots. 60% already! And we have a few more hours to go. The normal turnout is like 40-something percent. In my county they are expecting close to 75% turnout. How awesome does that make you feel? It's awesome to see EVERYONE so fired up about things, no matter what side they are on. That's freakin' def!
As for my voting story: I went to the polls at 8:30 AM today. I walked in the street to avoid the hoardes of people passing campaign literature around the door (I hate that!) and ran into Jabbo's parents as they were leaving, and they remembered me, even though it was over a year since I saw them last. Jabbo's dad Russ asked me if I encouraged him to vote for the "right man", hinting at Kerry. I told him I tried but Ron won't budge, ha. "Tell him, 'Vote for the man, not the party!'" Russ said. Those people are awesome. =)
It was kinda confusing at this new polling place where my precinct was, because some lines were long and snaking around others. I can't believe the poll workers didn't check my ID! I just filled out a paper signifying I could vote, they checked me off their list, and I got in line. I coulda been my next door neighbor for all they know. I only waited about 20 min to vote. In Warren, we still use those old, 600-lb. metal voting machines with the levers you flip down and the curtain that closes around you when you pull the handle. Nobody else around here uses those. They will be replaced next year, I hear. I wonder with what? Scan-Tron? Connect the lines? Electronic?
I though it was odd that there was a moveon.org person at a table with a banner across it in the voting area. She had some papers and wasn't talking to people but I wonder how she got in there? Isn't that "campaigning" too close to the polls and not allowed? Later on on the radio I found out that many moveon.org people were allowed there to watch for fraud but not allowed to talk to voters. Shady.
I voted and was out in 20 min. No sweat. Around the country there were people in line for 5 min, and some for 3 hours. There were even "poll watchers" who tried to trick people into NOT voting, posing as people from a party and another. How twisted. And even a few problems reported... wrong ballots... broken machines, etc., right in Metro Detroit.
I think you all know who I voted for president, but I wasn't totally happy with my choice. I really think all the candidates suck, worse than 4 years ago. As for the local raises, there were quite a few no-brainer decisions as to who to vote for.
I almost DIDN'T vote on Prop. 1 today (about gambling expansion in MI) because I was so flustered with it all. I read "for" and "against" arguements in the Freep and Oakland Press, and both of them didn't strongly urge me to me either way. The Freep said a Prop. 1 yes vote means the lottery will be hurt a little, but it will help curb the spread of the current and proposed future casinos. But the Oakland Press' arguement for NO was pretty good too. UGH. I hate deciding sometimes! I was getting pissed at one point, thinking about the consequences of voting either way. Someone is gonna get screwed to some extent and the Indian casinos and Detroit casinos are exempt off the bat. I guess there is no good way to vote on that one.
Of course I voted NO on Prop. 2 (amending the state constitution to say the only recognized legal marriage is between a man and a woman). I heard that even if it passes that it won't change things... the country's laws state the only legal arrangement is man and woman anyway. But at least partners can still get benefits (I hope).
Ron's coming over tonight and we are gonna watch the numbers roll in after the polls close. Because of how crazy this election was, I can't wait to see who takes it. And I'll be glad to stop fighting with Ron about it! It'll probably be so close it will take a month to sort out, just like last time. But I plan on staying up as late as I can to watch democracy work its magic. Cross your fingers it all goes well! I'll probably update my thoughts again before bed.
P.S.- Pontiac 1-5 is a big pile of rubble. It was cold this afternoon... I could see my breath as I took some shots today. I will throw them on my website later. Sad.
As for my voting story: I went to the polls at 8:30 AM today. I walked in the street to avoid the hoardes of people passing campaign literature around the door (I hate that!) and ran into Jabbo's parents as they were leaving, and they remembered me, even though it was over a year since I saw them last. Jabbo's dad Russ asked me if I encouraged him to vote for the "right man", hinting at Kerry. I told him I tried but Ron won't budge, ha. "Tell him, 'Vote for the man, not the party!'" Russ said. Those people are awesome. =)
It was kinda confusing at this new polling place where my precinct was, because some lines were long and snaking around others. I can't believe the poll workers didn't check my ID! I just filled out a paper signifying I could vote, they checked me off their list, and I got in line. I coulda been my next door neighbor for all they know. I only waited about 20 min to vote. In Warren, we still use those old, 600-lb. metal voting machines with the levers you flip down and the curtain that closes around you when you pull the handle. Nobody else around here uses those. They will be replaced next year, I hear. I wonder with what? Scan-Tron? Connect the lines? Electronic?
I though it was odd that there was a moveon.org person at a table with a banner across it in the voting area. She had some papers and wasn't talking to people but I wonder how she got in there? Isn't that "campaigning" too close to the polls and not allowed? Later on on the radio I found out that many moveon.org people were allowed there to watch for fraud but not allowed to talk to voters. Shady.
I voted and was out in 20 min. No sweat. Around the country there were people in line for 5 min, and some for 3 hours. There were even "poll watchers" who tried to trick people into NOT voting, posing as people from a party and another. How twisted. And even a few problems reported... wrong ballots... broken machines, etc., right in Metro Detroit.
I think you all know who I voted for president, but I wasn't totally happy with my choice. I really think all the candidates suck, worse than 4 years ago. As for the local raises, there were quite a few no-brainer decisions as to who to vote for.
I almost DIDN'T vote on Prop. 1 today (about gambling expansion in MI) because I was so flustered with it all. I read "for" and "against" arguements in the Freep and Oakland Press, and both of them didn't strongly urge me to me either way. The Freep said a Prop. 1 yes vote means the lottery will be hurt a little, but it will help curb the spread of the current and proposed future casinos. But the Oakland Press' arguement for NO was pretty good too. UGH. I hate deciding sometimes! I was getting pissed at one point, thinking about the consequences of voting either way. Someone is gonna get screwed to some extent and the Indian casinos and Detroit casinos are exempt off the bat. I guess there is no good way to vote on that one.
Of course I voted NO on Prop. 2 (amending the state constitution to say the only recognized legal marriage is between a man and a woman). I heard that even if it passes that it won't change things... the country's laws state the only legal arrangement is man and woman anyway. But at least partners can still get benefits (I hope).
Ron's coming over tonight and we are gonna watch the numbers roll in after the polls close. Because of how crazy this election was, I can't wait to see who takes it. And I'll be glad to stop fighting with Ron about it! It'll probably be so close it will take a month to sort out, just like last time. But I plan on staying up as late as I can to watch democracy work its magic. Cross your fingers it all goes well! I'll probably update my thoughts again before bed.
P.S.- Pontiac 1-5 is a big pile of rubble. It was cold this afternoon... I could see my breath as I took some shots today. I will throw them on my website later. Sad.