Got my oil changed today and while waiting I was subjected to some morning show. Anyone with an IQ greater than a parakeet’s would be stunned by the idiocy. The last-minute barrage of campaign ads during the breaks was the cherry on this shit sundae.
I weep for my nation…
2.
John Weiss
Here in Oregon the state sends us ballots. You can mail ’em back or drop it off in a handy ballot box. I wonder why everyone else isn’t doing voting this way.
Inexpensive and easy, eh?
3.
guhm61
I’m Gumby dammit and I voted already at 7 am.
4.
LanceThruster
I hope to be singing this to his Mittens tonight…
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye!
5.
Chyron HR
I’m a white male in business clothing, so I got exit polled! I tried to pass the poll sheet to the woman next to me when I was done and the CNN person said they were only doing a “random” sample of voters. Right.
Open thread? I saw Wreck-It-Ralph this weekend. Unbelievably god damn awesome. The commercials are somewhere between utterly uninformative and outright deceptive. The story is more about Vanellope Von Schweetz than Ralph, and rather than a movie about video games, it’s a movie about two outcasts that happens to be set in video games. It was so good. Vanellope may be the most adorable cartoon character ever, and Sarah Silverman’s voice acting was brilliant.
7.
Death Panel Truck
@John Weiss: Same as your neighbor to the north. I haven’t stepped foot in a Washington polling place in 20 years.
8.
Violet
I’m heading out to vote now. Hoping I’m beating the early lunch crowd by having an even earlier lunch. We’ll see.
9.
Culture of Truth
Voted. I dids it.
10.
dr. bloor
Also, go vote already, dammit.
Done. Forty-minute line in my Little Rhody precinct, although everyone in a good mood.
The rest of the civilized world must look on in horror at our election process, voting procedures, and, all too often, the results.
11.
joes527
@John Weiss: … or those nice men in the GOP van will even pick them up for you.
It is the perfect system.
12.
ruemara
I don’t get to vote, but the usual suspects grilled me about who to vote for and what to vote for, so technically, I got to vote 5x. I win!
13.
Raven
There is a really scummy charter school amendment in Georgia. In my county today is a teacher furlough day and there are kids all over town holding VOTE NO signs!
14.
dr. bloor
@Chyron HR: I’ve done exit polling, it is random. Besides, they have absolutely no motivation to be wrong on the exit polling–they don’t need to keep the horse race alive any longer.
I got in line at 6:40 this morning and was done at 7:15 – in a bluish suburb of St. Louis.
16.
Belafon (formerly anonevent)
That looks like a mustache to me.
ETA: Voted this morning, had my seven year old with me so he could see.
17.
beltane
Anyone fretting about huge GOP early voting numbers in Ohio can go and unfret themselves now because the numbers are bogushttp://news.cincinnati.com/article/20121106/CINCI/121106009/Early-votes-not-yet-counted-Ohio?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|
My advice to everyone is to not allow yourselves to get trolled by wingnuts on Twitter because we all know that Republicans excel at trolling if nothing else.
18.
Hill Dweller
I’ve seen several people on Twitter say the assholes in Pennsylvania are still demanding ID.
19.
catclub
@Frankensteinbeck: Ever see this thing called Rudolph the Red-Nosed reindeer?
Also about outcasts. But thanks for the info. The ads do seem to tell you nothing.
I’m taking a break from handing out sample ballots at my precinct, where there have been 2+ hour lines ever since the doors opened at 6am. Part of that is from an equipment problem (with the machines to check in voters, not the voting or tabulating machines), but most is just heavy turnout.
21.
PurpleGirl
@Frankensteinbeck: I saw a trailer for the movie months ago and thought it looked interesting and that I might go to see it. Thanks for the comments.
22.
Princess
I voted, and now I am going to the local Obama office to do GOTV for a few hours.
23.
jl
This blog still working?
Looks like it. Strong work so far on BJ’s part.
Will be precinct walking and phone banking from mid afternoon until polls close out here on left coast. Then a little election party, so no burdens from me tonight. Until late when I have time so survey damage or savor victory (hope the latter)
See? I wasn’t only saying it was good because the giant rodent signs my paycheck. There was an interesting AP story where John C. Reilly talked about how he worked with the filmmakers on Ralph’s character and ended up contributing enough that he got a story credit.
Also, for the general audience, there was a couple at my polling place with their two daughters (probably about ages 4 and 2). When the adults were done with their Inkavote, they let the girls feed the completed ballot into the ballot box scanner, which the girls found VERY cool. Awwwwww.
26.
Left Coast Tom
@Death Panel Truck:
As well as his neighbor to the south. Mailed mine in 10 days ago.
I voted first thing this morning. There was a bit of a line, but it was moving briskly. We have a multi-precinct polling place, but they have things well enough organized that there wasn’t too much confusion. It helps that the precincts are color coded, and all the polling information- including third party stuff- includes your color code. The only thing they need to add is color coding outside, so people can see which line is which even when the lines are long enough to go out of the building.
30.
Culture of Truth
Don’t frown. It will bee all right!
31.
j
Where I live, if you vote and get one of those stickers you get a free beer at any bar in town. Just slap it on your coat and start a pub crawl. It’s a way to get people to vote early.
And my 17-year-old new volunteer keeps saying “This is so exciting!”
It’s awesome.
And she’s right, it is exciting!
33.
chopper
busy poll site this morning in brooklyn, but it’s a mess b/c so many sites were changed after Sandy. plus it’s pretty badly done out here, one line to sign the book then another line for the machine and the lines cross each other.
plus the poll workers aren’t really great, the one i had took literally 5 minutes to look up my name and write out the small slip of paper with my voter number.
I’ve decided to pretty much ignore the day, to put off worry and stress with a diversion since I voted early last week. My day will be occupied by the rescue puppy I’m adopting in one hour. My two older dogs and I will be busy with other important things.
36.
Jewish Steel
I heard that John sold this blog to the Italians and they would be moving production to China. Confirm?
@EconWatcher: Yep, the part of Fairfax down near the west end of Alexandria. Local news is showing images of Richmond, also with heavy turnout. So that’s all good.
38.
S. cerevisiae
Because I believe in science, I bet my hair on Minnesota staying blue. Our county has mail-in voting so I voted last week. Hope both amendments fail but I think the damn voter ID one will pass. I have hope the marriage inequality one will fail.
Will gather with friends for pizza and homebrew and to watch the returns. We’ll probably go heavy on Stewart and Colbert, as the network assclowns are…what’s the word? Oh yeah. Assclowns. Particularly Leslie Blitzer, David Gregory, Chuck Todd, any of the scum at ABC (special shoutout to the insufferable, ready for Louisville Slugger treatment George Will), and of course the unspeakable detritus of Faux Noise. NBC will probably have that senile moron Brokaw on…how Huntley, Brinkley, and Chancellor weep.
MSNBC probably the least objectionable, with the exception, of course, of the intern killer.
Had to wait in line outside this morning, which has never happened before. No complaints (if folks in FL, OH, PA and the rest can wait in line for six hours, I can certainly wait 20 mins).
I predict O-285, R-253 (Still assuming Romney gets a mysterious ‘miracle win’ in OH but still loses NV/CO/VA/IA).
Dems hold the Senate, maybe as much as two pickups. Warren beats Scott Brown, but (ironically), MA-6 goes to the Republican Tisei. I get the President and Senator I want, but get a Tea-Partier as a Rep.
Local drivetime media (WBZ Radio) still very much in the tank for Romney. Had a big story about Romney voting in Belmont, and setting up a War Room at Boston Garden to monitor “election irregularities”. Included interviews from locals talking about how great it would be for the next President to be from Mass (WTF?)
@danimal: That’s the beauty of being a party precinct captain. I voted early (it was weird last night realizing that I wasn’t voting the next day), so I still get to see everything that’s going on but I don’t have to wait through the line.
Looking for an independent confirmation of this. I am making it a personal goal of mine to never cast another black-box electronic ballot without paper trail.
50.
quannlace
My day will be occupied by the rescue puppy I’m adopting in one hour.
Congratulations on your new arrival!
51.
PurpleGirl
@dexwood: Sounds like a very good way to spend the day. Good luck with the new dog.
52.
Raven
Boortz was screaming abut Black Panthers in Philly. I love the sound of defeat.
What state are you in? Here in Los Angeles County, you walk up to your precinct table and tell them your name. One lady has you sign her book while another one crosses your name out in her book. No machines required. :-)
Of course, we also use Scantron (Inkavote) ballots. The only technology there is that it goes through a scanner to ensure that it’s valid (no overvotes or undervotes) as it goes into the ballot box.
54.
karen
Who killed the intern?
I’m getting a ride from a Montgomery County, MD Dem volunteer so I’m just waiting….
Also, this is pathetic but after the election, as much as I will love all the ads and robocalling being gone, there will be a big hole in my life.
Is anyone as pathetic as I am or am I all alone in the patheticness.
55.
Sparrowgal
Here on Long Island, in a relative non-disaster zone (just downed trees and power outages), voting was a dream…filled in my little circles and let the tabulator suck in my results.
I have heard from several Queens and NYC Facebook friends that Governor Cuomo’s executive order to allow voters to cast their ballots outside of their districts hasn’t made it down to poll worker level, and many have been arguing with voters that they can’t vote at these alternate locations. You would think that polling stations would be the first ones informed. Fortunately, my friends are rabid about this election, and have held their ground. Hope everyone is this tenacious.
56.
La Caterina
Been on line to vote here iin Brooklyn since 11:00. Using my iPad to help the poll coordinator look up districts and speed the process for others.
57.
Jewish Steel
@Roger Moore: Non-unionized, under aged gerbils working for 7 cents an hour, yes. So, an upgrade from FYWP.
58.
Yutsano
@Judas Escargot, Bringer of Loaves and Fish Sandwiches: I thought he was from Michigan. Or Utah. Or he keept the house in NH to avoid paying Mass taxes. And let’s not forget La Jolla. Why can’t he vote in them all a la Ann Coulter?
59.
nellcote
from the tweet machine:
Ralph Gilles@RalphGilles
Chrysler gave its entire work force the day off to Vote Today! Let’s go! #America
60.
jibeaux
I’ve been entertaining myself by rickrolling #watchthevote on twitter, but it’s slow.
61.
dexwood
Thank you, thank you. A good old-fashioned mixed-breed pup to teach this old guy some new tricks. My other guys are terrific and will help me greatly in training the youngster. Gotta run.
Funny, Atrios didn’t report any problems with Black Panthers where he voted.
Then again, they know where he lives, wink wink, nudge nudge…
64.
burnspbesq
Done. No line at my polling place at 8:00 a.m. in the blood-red heart of OC. I’m choosing to interpret that as Republicans not feeling it for Romney, with a soupcon of I’m-too-confused-by-all-these-ballot-propositions-to-care.
65.
Bill Arnold
…go vote already, dammit.
Done this morning. Very orderly, with at least one Democrat and Republican at each table, no line. We had to give up our lever machines in NYS (they made voting a physical process, with a satisfying thunk as the big lever recorded all the little levers and simultaneously opened the curtain), but they were replaced at least in my area with decent optical scan machines so a recount is possible.
My father’s polling place was without power. The state (NY) “brought in a generator”, and it was pretty busy.
On FB I’m hearing of reports of long lines (3 blocks long!) to vote in Brooklyn. New York might not be in play but this will help with the popular vote numbers.
68.
EconWatcher
Anyone else watch the video of Obama giving the last campaign speech of his life, in Iowa? It was pretty moving.
Man, what I wouldn’t give to be invited over for one of those White House home brews. I don’t find his affect to be aloof, but there is something inscrutable about the guy. If I could assemble one of those hypothetical dinner parties with the most interesting people in history, he’d be on the guest list.
@Mnemosyne: Virginia. I have no idea why they’re using “electronic pollbooks”; they don’t use them in every election (or in every precinct.) I suspect someone convinced them that it would be “more efficient” with the heavy turnout of a presidential year, but it seems to be the exact opposite. (Gee, alphabetical order is so hard!)
Of course, since we have Hans Van Spakovsky on our county electoral board, and we’re the largest Democratic county in the state, it’s not out of the question to think that it’s deliberate ratfvcking. I’ll be interested to hear whether any other counties are using the system.
70.
SatanicPanic
VOTED! Cast my ballot for the Kenyan Usurper at my University/Communist re-education camp
71.
Cassidy
I posted this earlier and looking for some fresh eyes.
I got two Obama stickers and my daughter asked for one. She wanted to put one on a notebook and we jokingly talked baout her Civics notebook; her teacher is a winger. Anyway, she’s had another student who has been picking a fight with her daily (multiple times) over politics, constantly trying to start arguments about why Obama sucks. My oldest is pretty bright and she understands the girl is just repeating her parents and has no idea what she’s talking about. Initially, I told her to call her out and even embarass her, demand she support her positions with specifics, facts, etc. Then, after thinking, I told her to just tell the girl she doesn’t want to discuss it with her and she’s not going to as the girl clearly has no interest in having a discussion and just wants to berate someone for not thinking like her. I don’t know if she’s done that, but the girl keeps seeking her out to argue. I’m starting to wonder if I should go up there or let her handle it. I’m not concerned she’s being bullied. I am concerned that she will get sick of it and start a significant emotional event for all involved. Or, will it blow over after tomorrow when my daughter gloats all day.
72.
PurpleGirl
I went out to vote around 10:00 A.M. Quick two minute walk across the small playground to Building #2. I was in line for my ED and a lady took me to the front so I didn’t have to wait (sometimes it’s good to bring the cane). Took maybe five minutes to fill in the circles and put the ballot into the scanner (I do miss the big machines and all the levers).
When I went to leave the house, there was a yellow sticky on the wall by the elevator which read: Defend Freedom, Defeat Obama… Vote. Of course, I took it down.
73.
martian
The husband and I took the toddlers down to the polling place and took turns wheeling them around while we each voted. Snapped pictures of them with the ballot.
I voted for every Dem on the ticket even if they were running unopposed, probably for the first time in my life. I didn’t even vote for the Greens for the Water Reclamation District like I usually do even though I feel strongly that that’s what Greens should be doing – running in municipal elections and building the party up from the ground. Just can’t do that this year. Can’t chance any embryonic Republican politicians getting a foothold and achieving viability – and maybe not ever again. I’m going to have to think hard about it.
74.
KG
For some reason, I (and my cousin that I live with) were not on the voter roll this morning in Long Beach. We just moved into the area but registered before te deadline. Had the sample ballot, and registration card and came up on the clerk’s website. Ended up having to take a provisional ballot because the poll workers didn’t know what to do other than ask if I was at the right place
75.
gbear
I left the house early this morning to vote before work. Got to the polling place at about 7:20 and I was back in my car and heading to work at 7:35. There were about 50 people in the room but things were moving along very smartly. I wound up being early for work (I hate when I do that).
76.
The Red Pen
Voting in Missouri was rather involved. You first show your ID to a poll worker and get a ticket. Then you get verified on the voter rolls and sign that. Then a DEM and a REP poll worker sign your ticket. Then you take the ticket to get a paper ballot. I also had the option of touch-screen, but I don’t know what you do with your ticket then. All very officious.
I’m telling people at work that my friend runs the Exchange server at the Illuminati headquarters and that he says that they’ve already decided that the election will go to Obama. There will be voting irregularities in Ohio and a recount in Florida, but that’s just for show.
77.
Baskaborr
@Raven:
Saw the video. Black man wearing a black beret politely greeting and opening door for elderly white voters. Shocking, gentlemanly behavior in this day and age.
I can’t vote today. I voted first day of early voting here in Florida. I live in Gadsden County,(North)Florida. Arrived 10 minutes before closing time, no wait.
No line for my precinct, big line for the one next to it. In your face, other precinct!
80.
sylvanroad
Just got back from phone banking at OFA headquarters in Hampton, Va. Probably at least 70 people there, young and old, including some adorable Hampton U students. We’re fired up and ready to go. Keep the Commonwealth blue!
My favorite comment of the day from a voter, upon taking my Democratic sample ballot and politely refusing the Republican one: “I’m a Republican, but not today.”
82.
kay
I made my first pass thru the BOE. They let me in, so that’s good. Apparently they’re booting True the Voters out all over Ohio because they didn’t file the required paper. Oh, well. Looks like we’ll have to muddle thru without the Texas Republican brain trust “advising” us on OH process.
I haven’t seen any GOP election observers. It’s funny how the GOP only put observers in Democratic (well, minority) precincts. I guess they’re not as worried about white people committing voter fraud.
They’re all excited because an AP reporter is coming to the BOE tonight.
I’m trying to imagine how they know this: did he/she call and say “I’ll be there tonight!”
I haven’t seen any GOP election observers. It’s funny how the GOP only put observers in Democratic (well, minority) precincts. I guess they’re not as worried about white people committing voter fraud.
Those white people are committing the kind of voter fraud that Rethugs don’t mind at all.
A congrats to the multi-voting undead in Chicago — you guys were on the ball this year! No line in my precint now although there was one earlier. GOTZV SUCCESS!
Ralph Gilles@RalphGilles
Chrysler gave its entire work force the day off to Vote Today! Let’s go! #America
Seriously? A good-sized US Corporation let their workers off to vote?! Somewhere in this universe Ayn Rand just fainted…
89.
dmsilev
@quannlace: Union Management thugs throwing the election!
90.
FDRLincoln
I voted for Obama during early voting two weeks ago. It’s Kansas, so it won’t help the EV count, but it will show up in the PV at least.
I am SO looking forward to the establishment of the Socialist Muslim Atheist Kenyan Anti-Colonial Free Gay Abortions Regime tomorrow. I can’t wait to re-educate some other Kansans.
Also, too.
91.
Original Lee
Voted this morning. Two hours in line, but the mood was cheerful and upbeat. The chief election judge asked us to call the county Board of Elections to ask for more voting machines – not enough machines for the turnout. Usually if you show up after 9 AM, as I did, the line is less than half an hour. When I left at 11 AM, the line was wrapping the building, so I did as she asked.
92.
PurpleGirl
@martian: I’ve voted for people on the Working Families line a few times, mainly to keep their numbers up and keep them on the ballot. But today I voted a straight Democratic line (or column as the case may be). I felt that we have to maintain the Party this year.
93.
smintheus
In my rural, conservative precinct the turnout seems to be a little down from 2008. Only 525 voters as of noon; the parking lot was empty. In 2008, there were more than 1200 votes cast in this town (about 60% for McCain).
94.
Linnaeus
Mailed my ballot (I’m in WA) yesterday. We’re going to legalize pot and gay marriage!
Non-unionized, under aged gerbils working for 7 cents an hour, yes. So, an upgrade from FYWP.
That would violate Child Labor laws so can’t be possible.
“Some say” that he’s hired meerkats and brought them here under the H1B visa program. Same end result as non-unionized gerbils working for 7 cents an hour but totally legal. Microsoft has been doing it for years.
96.
Flukebucket
Oh boy. Boortz is howling about a twittered picture showing a voting location that has a mural of Obama on the wall. CHEATERS!!
97.
les
Voted early, small but steady line in lovely Stilwell KS. After obummer, not a single fucking Dem candidate for any fucking office—congress, state legislature, county gov. Not fucking one. Well, it didn’t take long, anyway.
They’re all excited because an AP reporter is coming to the BOE tonight.
I’m trying to imagine how they know this: did he/she call and say “I’ll be there tonight!”
Got one good anecdote from canvassing this weekend. Romney’s 47% comment sealed his fate with at least one voter I spoke with. Hope for democracy reaffirmed.
Boortz is another one of these guys who is overdue for a heavy object accidentally falling on him. I suggest Chris Christie or Rush Limbaugh.
105.
djork
Voted in GA. Only had to write-in Jerry Garcia for one race in which the republican was unopposed.
106.
grandpa john
I voted last week. Proudly cast my vote for Obama in Solid red SC. I know ,but it was not a waste of time, whe had loads of state and local elections, the plkace where politics starts. If people hadnot stayed home on local elections like FL,OH,VA,WI,PA and let the tea partiers take over their governments, we wouldn,t have to be listensisng to the concerned people now pissing and moaning whilewringing ltheir hands about concern for Voter suppression, and tampered with polling machines or what ever the latest hand wringing event is.
Gee if Dems had just got out and voted and elected Democrats to run their state and local govts voter suppression laws wouldn’t be a problem would they?
I’m betting if Nate Silver is right, the candidates have an idea how things are going right about now.
With the exception of 2000 and 2004 (where the margins were abnormally close), it’s usually around noon eastern that the candidates get an idea how things are shaping up.
109.
The Moar You Know
The only result I know for a certainty today, aside from the given Obama VICTORY, is that the vile piece of shit known as Darryl Issa is my new rep, replacing the somewhat less vile Brian Bilbray. Hoo-fucking-ray. I hope he gets dick cancer.
110.
Cathy W
I was at my polling place (suburban Michigan, moderately diverse neighborhood both ethnically and economically) at 7:10. I think I finally got my ballot (#108 – in 2008 there were roughly 1175 ballots cast in the precinct) at about 8:00. When I left there were more people in line than there had been when I got there, but not too many.
The slow point in the process was the ID validation. Theoretically, they swipe your ID on a specially-rigged laptop and send you on your way – but there could be a flag (things like “must show extra ID”, “registration has been challenged”, “requested an absentee ballot”). Each flagged voter brought the line to a screeching halt, because there was only 1 specially-rigged laptop. The people near me in line agreed that having a second specially-rigged laptop might have been nice, because there were election workers sitting there looking apologetic about not being able to swipe our IDs and send us on our way while the precinct chief handled the flagged voter.
There don’t seem to have been any election monitors, UN observers, New Black Panthers, True The Vote-ers, or exit pollers at my precinct. Lots of signs, but only one intrepid literature-hander-outer suggesting that we vote for the totally-really-we-mean-it-non-partisan judicial candidates who’d been endorsed by the Democratic party.
Turnnout was down in my mostly white precint in Atlanta. in 2008, there was a 2 hour wait. I was in and out in 20 minutes this morning. Of course, it was raining, so that may have made some people wait.
I saw Wreck-It-Ralph this weekend. Unbelievably god damn awesome
Saw it Saturday, & I agree. It is wonderful. Tho it is very video-game intensive. I had my 19-yr-old game-design-major son with me, & he was continually cracking up at the background & inside baseball gaming references that went completely by me. You can enjoy it on either level.
Also too, this was a 7 pm Sat nite show, & the theater was 60/40 families with kids & college-age guys. A very strange mix, but everyone loved it.
114.
Jibeaux
@Flukebucket: Because when in NC we had to vote on gay marriage in churches with “vote yes on amendment one” on the marquee there was such a conservative uproar.
115.
burnspbesq
Any word on who got to play in Obama’s election-day pickup game?
@kay: We have an overabundance of lawyers for the local Obama campaign. (Probably because we’re a suburb of DC, and a lot of people can’t take the time to travel much further.) We have an inside lawyer (you have to be a Virginia voter to be allowed inside) and two DC lawyers outside to do followup to help ensure provisional ballots will be counted. We’ve had maybe one provisional ballot every hour or two, so it’s massive overkill.
In addition, we have one or two people from an independent, nonpartisan election protection group. I don’t remember the name of the group, but they seem to be legit, and aren’t acting like closet Republicans.
I learned something new about provisional ballots here (or maybe it’s a new procedure this year.) If the state is close enough that provisional ballots could make the difference, there will be a hearing on Friday where people have to petition to have their ballot counted. However apparently you can designate someone else to represent you, so the campaign has a sheet where the voter can designate the campaign, and the campaign will go represent everyone, so they don’t all have to show up.
Provisional ballots still suck, but this makes them suck slightly less.
Four years ago, I intensively covered the 2008 presidential elections in the United States, from the first caucuses and primaries through the final result.
__
This year, not so much, and since it became clear that the Republican nominee would be former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, not at all. Since then, I’ve not wavered once from my view that President Barack Obama will be reelected tomorrow. And today, after carefully examining the polling, early voting and field organization numbers state-by-state, and daily interviews in recent weeks with people on the ground in the “swing states” (in order of Electoral Votes: Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, Nevada, Iowa) and also the “faux-swing states” (those states that many in the media try to convince you are still up for grabs: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Hampshire), The Field projects Obama to win tommorow with 318 Electoral Votes to 220 for Romney.
__
This projection does not differ all that much from those generated by aggregating polling numbers and weighting them, with the exception that I’m projecting North Carolina for Obama while projecting a Romney win in Florida. (Caveat Emptor: Florida is the only state I’ve projected incorrectly twice in the last two presidential elections, and so it won’t suprise me if I’m wrong about it, but I’ll explain my logic here.) …
My brother, David Sturtevant, is performing his show about bipolar disorder at the Steamer 10 Theater this Friday, Nov.9, at 1PM and 8PM. His show is called Dis-Ease: A Coming Out .
There is a suggested donation of $15, proceeds from which will go to mental health services in the Albany area.
For any of you who love someone with mental illness, you know the struggles, the frustrations, the fears. David’s performance addresses all those areas. He also shows that it’s possible to pick yourself up and keep going.
I would love it if I could put a few more people in seats at these two shows. If you have even the slightest inclination to go, I promise you good music, some laughter, and some tears. It might be a good place to be after all this anxiety associated with the election season.
Please contact me if you have any questions at “rubyruby01 @ yahoo dot com” without the spaces, of course.
Thanks, everybody!
120.
SenyorDave
@les: As the Thomas Frank book says, “What’s the matter with Kansas”. Maybe some time in the future, Kansans will see the light.
I’m in Maryland myself, and my county is pretty blue, but the Republicans field a full slate of what passes for moderate Republican candidates (25 years ago they would have been called conservatives).
@cckids:
There were no shortage of those, and I got most of them, but I was busy having my heart broken and mended by the adorable glitch. If anything, I thought the gamer jokes were an unwanted distraction.
Voting in Missouri was rather involved. You first show your ID to a poll worker and get a ticket. Then you get verified on the voter rolls and sign that. Then a DEM and a REP poll worker sign your ticket. Then you take the ticket to get a paper ballot. I also had the option of touch-screen, but I don’t know what you do with your ticket then. All very officious.
Depends totally on the county. Here in the Second Reddest County in Misery, all you do is show an ID, they look you up on the rolls, you sign the roll next to your entry to signify you voted, they hand you a ballot.
Of course I live in a rural county comprised of 13K white people of which 14.78 of us Democrats so the Repups here feel the chances of “voter fraud” are slim, thus, they can be casual about the process.
I’ve dealt with some sort of voter intimidation or irregularity in every Presidential election since I turned 18.
18 – 2000 – first vote for Al Gore in, of all places, Broward county. Did not tear off my chad. Who knows if it was counted?
22 – 2004 – Voted absentee for Kerry from college, no problem. But, volunteered for Kerry, had to deal with Bush staff intimidating college kids on my campus in New Hampshire to discourage them from voting in NH, rather than their home states. They claimed that kids could be fined or even imprisoned if they vote in NH. Did a lot of pushback against that crap
26 – 2008 – Staff for Obama for America. You can imagine the type of crap we dealt with. Misinformation about dates, polling locations, poll hours, ID requirements, etc. The whole 9 yards.
30 – 2012 – Submitted my application for an absentee ballot first week of October. Got it YESTERDAY. Had to shell out $45 to overnight it. But at least I know it’ll get counted, provided that FedEx doesn’t screw me.
Oh, and I heard that the GOP observer in our polling place (I saw an instruction guide for Project Orca!) didn’t have her party permission slip, but they let her in anyway. None of the Hoveround brigade anywhere in sight, I guess they’re concentrating on Ohio.
Voted early, small but steady line in lovely Stilwell KS. After obummer, not a single fucking Dem candidate for any fucking office—congress, state legislature, county gov. Not fucking one. Well, it didn’t take long, anyway.
Sadly, Howard Dean’s 50 State Stragety lasted no longer than his tenure as head of the DNC. Shame, real shame.
@Raven: Schools closed in Montgomery Co, MD too because many are used for polling places. I early voted and even though MD is far from being a swing state there were very large crowds at the polls. Partly, maybe because two referenda: “Dream Act” in-state tuition and marriage equality.
129.
SenyorDave
@Villago Delenda Est: As much as I loathe Christie as a person (my wife is a retired teacher, and Christie went after teachers in a very nasty way), he is the closest thing you’ll ever get these days to a moderate national Republican. Plus, I believe he would tell the Tea Party types to go screw off.
130.
Mr. Longform
In my bluish small circle in red Indiana, 10-minutes despite confused poll volunteer jumping from the Ks to the Ms and totally missing the Ls for 5 minutes until the nice even older poll volunteer next to her helped her unstick her pages. Still had to show my freaking photo ID, thanks to fascist Republican state legislators. But, although Obama has no chance here, even Hoosiers are too sane for Richard Mourdock, so we may end up with a Dem to replace Richard Lugar (a Hoosier Dem, so don’t get your hopes up.) Also, tea-party congressional candidate might lose, too. Could be a decent night, all things considered.
For some reason, I (and my cousin that I live with) were not on the voter roll this morning in Long Beach. We just moved into the area but registered before te deadline.
I had a similar problem after moving in 2010. I changed by registration via the DMV, but apparently they were very slow about letting the registrar of voters know about it. I suspect something like that is probably your problem, too.
@Redshift: We had electronic pollbooks at our early voting site, and everything went smoothly. Certainly saved the hassle of the A-to-D line going out the door and the other four little old ladies waiting too pounce on anyone who belonged in their lines.
135.
Michael
Not sure what the campaign is doing this year, but in 2008, they literally had volunteers texting or calling in the names of voters who had already voted in the morning to clean lists for the afternoon phones and canvasses.
They also tracked turnout by precinct (kept granular, precinct-level data about preferences too), so by around this time we had a pretty good idea where turnout was high, low, etc, and how that added to the early vote.
A good-sized US Corporation let their workers off to vote?! Somewhere in this universe Ayn Rand just fainted…
I think Chrysler management decided it was in their rational best interest to re-elect Obama. Nothing to see here, Randroids.
138.
Soonergrunt
@Cassidy: It’s going to be moot in a few hours. Tell the daughter that the next time the romneybot junior fires up to tell her that the only thing your daughter wants is the sweet sweet taste of baby-wingnut tears.
139.
PurpleGirl
Happy to say that NYS still does not have an ID requirement at the polls. You go in, go to your Election District table, tell them your name, they look it up in the book and you sign for this election. Then they hand you the ballot and direct you to a place to fill it out before scanning it.
140.
Thoughtcrime
I was voter number 18 this morning at my polling station in Lafayette, CA. Easy process that took only ten minutes. But then this is an affluent, Democratic suburb.
Hoping our outstanding longtime Rep. George Miller will drop in.
141.
Cathy W
In other news: I’ve been getting 3-4 robocalls a day on a particular race for the state legislature. Perhaps I’m a little unobservant, and the number of robocalls probably threw me off, but: it just dawned on me, thinking back on my ballot, that I don’t actually live in the district of the legislator that’s been robocalling me.
142.
kelrian
Just got back from voting (bright blue district/city/county in a suddenly-competitive red state). Feels so good to stick that ballot in the box.
Here’s hoping that scuzzball Flake gets his rear trounced.
143.
RedKitten
Anybody here have anything legit I can use to counter this kind of bullshit on peoples’ news feeds?
Here in the Second Reddest County in Misery, all you do is show an ID, they look you up on the rolls, you sign the roll next to your entry to signify you voted, they hand you a ballot.
That’s how it was when I voted in Springfield two years ago. I assumed it had changed state-wide since it’s different in STL. Of course, in the Ozarks, you don’t have very many… um… “fraud” voters if you catch my drift. You know… acks-blay.
Just got back from my polling place in Butler Co. PA. They’re asking everybody for ID. Asked if it was required and the poll workers couldn’t really understand me. That’s one of the issues with our polling place – no poll worker is under 80 (on the flip side those little old ladies bring tons of candy and baked goods).
147.
Soonergrunt
@RedKitten: Only that Philly.com, the website of the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper has NOTHING to substantiate the claim, and they’ve been following the issue of poll inspectors pretty closely. This is the only article on the subject, dated today:
PHILADELPHIA – Authorities in Philadelphia say a judge has issued a court order allowing all certified minority inspectors into Philadelphia polling places.
The Republican Party said dozens of legally credentialed minority voting inspectors were removed from polling places in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Tasha Jamerson, a spokeswoman for District Attorney Seth Williams, says a judge has now issued a court order allowing all minority voting inspectors into polling places.
State GOP Chairman Rob Gleason says 75 Republican election workers were prohibited from accessing polling places in the heavily Democratic city, prompting the party to seek the court order.
A message left with the state’s Democratic Party was not immediately returned.
An Allegheny County judge on Tuesday issued an order to halt electioneering outside a polling location in Homestead.
County officials received a complaint shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday that Republicans outside a polling location on Maple Street in Homestead were stopping people outside the polls and asking for identification.
Given what Kay was saying about the True the Voters screwing up their paperwork in Ohio, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Republican idiots in Pennsylvania did the same thing and are now SHOCKED and OUTRAGED because the pollworkers aren’t just letting them despite their lack of authorization or credentials.
150.
grandpa john
@comrade scott’s agenda of rage: I keep thinking that sometimes within the next 50 or so years, the Democrat is leadership will manage to break the suction and pull their heads out of their asses and realize how much easier it would be to be the ones elected to govern on the national level, if we didn’t have to spend so much time on this voter suppression shit.
Shit that endures because they (dems)evidently feel no need to govern except on the national level, or else we would have years ago Installed Deans clear and concise strategy for maintaining power. It really requires little thought at all, If you control state legislatures and governors offices , you control whether or not legislation detrimental to voting rights or abortion rights etc. can be passed. I bet there are numerous 5th graders who understand the concept, so that leaves the question, why the hell can’t the grownup leadership of the party understand it?
@EconWatcher:
I hope this isn’t going to be the last campaign speech of Obama’s life. He’s still young-ish for a POTUS, as Bill Clinton was. I expect Obama will still be around after two popular and successful terms to help out a future Democratic candidate or President, as Bill has done for him in 2008 and the current cycle.
152.
j
Someone upthread posted a video about a machine switching Obama votes to Romney.
IT’S TRUE!!
A Pennsylvania electronic voting machine has been taken out of service after being captured on video changing a vote for President Obama into one for Mitt Romney, NBC News has confirmed.
A judge ordered the machine taken out of service and held in a safe place.
Egad! If there is anyone we should believe unquestioningly about Democrat misbehavior, it is “The Romney campaign.” They sound legit.
Might there be any particular reason to distrust GOP poll folks in Pennsylvania? And don’t start talking about how a judge ordered Republicans removed from Homestead after they decided to start illegally carding voters, we know small-time voter intimidation is endearing.
And don’t you go citing accusations that the Pennsylvania Republican Party is only sending poll people to the black precincts, because you don’t have ANY PROOF, other than the list of precincts, which includes pretty much no white folks. That doesn’t count either.
Anyone kicking Republicans out of polling places is obviously Kenyan, because no Pennsylvania Republican would ever act unfairly toward voters, except for the Pennsylvania Republicans that do, of which there appear to be several.
155.
ruemara
@Mnemosyne: Not so secret west indian, but I’ve been here since forever. Just have not been able to afford to make the legal jump to citizen. So I GOTV and keep people informed. Like Martin Bashir, but poor and with boobs. And way better fashion sense.
156.
ruemara
@wenchacha: That’s awesome, wish I was in the neighborhood.
yam
Got my oil changed today and while waiting I was subjected to some morning show. Anyone with an IQ greater than a parakeet’s would be stunned by the idiocy. The last-minute barrage of campaign ads during the breaks was the cherry on this shit sundae.
I weep for my nation…
John Weiss
Here in Oregon the state sends us ballots. You can mail ’em back or drop it off in a handy ballot box. I wonder why everyone else isn’t doing voting this way.
Inexpensive and easy, eh?
guhm61
I’m Gumby dammit and I voted already at 7 am.
LanceThruster
I hope to be singing this to his Mittens tonight…
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye!
Chyron HR
I’m a white male in business clothing, so I got exit polled! I tried to pass the poll sheet to the woman next to me when I was done and the CNN person said they were only doing a “random” sample of voters. Right.
Frankensteinbeck
Open thread? I saw Wreck-It-Ralph this weekend. Unbelievably god damn awesome. The commercials are somewhere between utterly uninformative and outright deceptive. The story is more about Vanellope Von Schweetz than Ralph, and rather than a movie about video games, it’s a movie about two outcasts that happens to be set in video games. It was so good. Vanellope may be the most adorable cartoon character ever, and Sarah Silverman’s voice acting was brilliant.
Death Panel Truck
@John Weiss: Same as your neighbor to the north. I haven’t stepped foot in a Washington polling place in 20 years.
Violet
I’m heading out to vote now. Hoping I’m beating the early lunch crowd by having an even earlier lunch. We’ll see.
Culture of Truth
Voted. I dids it.
dr. bloor
Done. Forty-minute line in my Little Rhody precinct, although everyone in a good mood.
The rest of the civilized world must look on in horror at our election process, voting procedures, and, all too often, the results.
joes527
@John Weiss: … or those nice men in the GOP van will even pick them up for you.
It is the perfect system.
ruemara
I don’t get to vote, but the usual suspects grilled me about who to vote for and what to vote for, so technically, I got to vote 5x. I win!
Raven
There is a really scummy charter school amendment in Georgia. In my county today is a teacher furlough day and there are kids all over town holding VOTE NO signs!
dr. bloor
@Chyron HR: I’ve done exit polling, it is random. Besides, they have absolutely no motivation to be wrong on the exit polling–they don’t need to keep the horse race alive any longer.
rlrr
I got in line at 6:40 this morning and was done at 7:15 – in a bluish suburb of St. Louis.
Belafon (formerly anonevent)
That looks like a mustache to me.
ETA: Voted this morning, had my seven year old with me so he could see.
beltane
Anyone fretting about huge GOP early voting numbers in Ohio can go and unfret themselves now because the numbers are bogushttp://news.cincinnati.com/article/20121106/CINCI/121106009/Early-votes-not-yet-counted-Ohio?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|
My advice to everyone is to not allow yourselves to get trolled by wingnuts on Twitter because we all know that Republicans excel at trolling if nothing else.
Hill Dweller
I’ve seen several people on Twitter say the assholes in Pennsylvania are still demanding ID.
catclub
@Frankensteinbeck: Ever see this thing called Rudolph the Red-Nosed reindeer?
Also about outcasts. But thanks for the info. The ads do seem to tell you nothing.
Redshift
I’m taking a break from handing out sample ballots at my precinct, where there have been 2+ hour lines ever since the doors opened at 6am. Part of that is from an equipment problem (with the machines to check in voters, not the voting or tabulating machines), but most is just heavy turnout.
PurpleGirl
@Frankensteinbeck: I saw a trailer for the movie months ago and thought it looked interesting and that I might go to see it. Thanks for the comments.
Princess
I voted, and now I am going to the local Obama office to do GOTV for a few hours.
jl
This blog still working?
Looks like it. Strong work so far on BJ’s part.
Will be precinct walking and phone banking from mid afternoon until polls close out here on left coast. Then a little election party, so no burdens from me tonight. Until late when I have time so survey damage or savor victory (hope the latter)
pseudonymous in nc
@Hill Dweller:
Apparently the fucked-up protocol now is “you are asked for ID, but you don’t have to produce it, and you still get a regular ballot.” Fucked up.
Mnemosyne
@Frankensteinbeck:
See? I wasn’t only saying it was good because the giant rodent signs my paycheck. There was an interesting AP story where John C. Reilly talked about how he worked with the filmmakers on Ralph’s character and ended up contributing enough that he got a story credit.
Also, for the general audience, there was a couple at my polling place with their two daughters (probably about ages 4 and 2). When the adults were done with their Inkavote, they let the girls feed the completed ballot into the ballot box scanner, which the girls found VERY cool. Awwwwww.
Left Coast Tom
@Death Panel Truck:
As well as his neighbor to the south. Mailed mine in 10 days ago.
Mnemosyne
@ruemara:
Okay, I’ll be the one to ask — why don’t you get to vote? Are you a secret Canadian?
EconWatcher
@Redshift:
You’re in NoVA, right? There was very heavy turnout this morning in my (Oakton/Fairfax) precinct. Which sounds good….
Roger Moore
I voted first thing this morning. There was a bit of a line, but it was moving briskly. We have a multi-precinct polling place, but they have things well enough organized that there wasn’t too much confusion. It helps that the precincts are color coded, and all the polling information- including third party stuff- includes your color code. The only thing they need to add is color coding outside, so people can see which line is which even when the lines are long enough to go out of the building.
Culture of Truth
Don’t frown. It will bee all right!
j
Where I live, if you vote and get one of those stickers you get a free beer at any bar in town. Just slap it on your coat and start a pub crawl. It’s a way to get people to vote early.
Redshift
And my 17-year-old new volunteer keeps saying “This is so exciting!”
It’s awesome.
And she’s right, it is exciting!
chopper
busy poll site this morning in brooklyn, but it’s a mess b/c so many sites were changed after Sandy. plus it’s pretty badly done out here, one line to sign the book then another line for the machine and the lines cross each other.
plus the poll workers aren’t really great, the one i had took literally 5 minutes to look up my name and write out the small slip of paper with my voter number.
but i voted, dammit.
JPL
@beltane: the linky didn’t work for me.
dexwood
I’ve decided to pretty much ignore the day, to put off worry and stress with a diversion since I voted early last week. My day will be occupied by the rescue puppy I’m adopting in one hour. My two older dogs and I will be busy with other important things.
Jewish Steel
I heard that John sold this blog to the Italians and they would be moving production to China. Confirm?
Redshift
@EconWatcher: Yep, the part of Fairfax down near the west end of Alexandria. Local news is showing images of Richmond, also with heavy turnout. So that’s all good.
S. cerevisiae
Because I believe in science, I bet my hair on Minnesota staying blue. Our county has mail-in voting so I voted last week. Hope both amendments fail but I think the damn voter ID one will pass. I have hope the marriage inequality one will fail.
Nodakfarmboy
@j: Truly, this is the promised land.
Villago Delenda Est
I’m in Oregon. I voted a week ago.
Will gather with friends for pizza and homebrew and to watch the returns. We’ll probably go heavy on Stewart and Colbert, as the network assclowns are…what’s the word? Oh yeah. Assclowns. Particularly Leslie Blitzer, David Gregory, Chuck Todd, any of the scum at ABC (special shoutout to the insufferable, ready for Louisville Slugger treatment George Will), and of course the unspeakable detritus of Faux Noise. NBC will probably have that senile moron Brokaw on…how Huntley, Brinkley, and Chancellor weep.
MSNBC probably the least objectionable, with the exception, of course, of the intern killer.
danimal
@Redshift: I voted by mail for the first time.
I kind of miss the excitement of going to the polls, in a weird sort of way.
Judas Escargot, Bringer of Loaves and Fish Sandwiches
Had to wait in line outside this morning, which has never happened before. No complaints (if folks in FL, OH, PA and the rest can wait in line for six hours, I can certainly wait 20 mins).
I predict O-285, R-253 (Still assuming Romney gets a mysterious ‘miracle win’ in OH but still loses NV/CO/VA/IA).
Dems hold the Senate, maybe as much as two pickups. Warren beats Scott Brown, but (ironically), MA-6 goes to the Republican Tisei. I get the President and Senator I want, but get a Tea-Partier as a Rep.
Local drivetime media (WBZ Radio) still very much in the tank for Romney. Had a big story about Romney voting in Belmont, and setting up a War Room at Boston Garden to monitor “election irregularities”. Included interviews from locals talking about how great it would be for the next President to be from Mass (WTF?)
beltane
@JPL: Try this:
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20121106/CINCI/121106009/Early-votes-not-yet-counted-Ohio?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|
quannlace
Frowny bee? Looks more like a Pooh Bear.
Villago Delenda Est
@Jewish Steel:
The deal was made in Denmark, on a dark and stormy day.
Ryan S.
I voted so hard, I can taste the liberty.
Roger Moore
@Jewish Steel:
Does that mean that the hamsters that power the site are going to be replaced by gerbils who will work for less?
Redshift
@danimal: That’s the beauty of being a party precinct captain. I voted early (it was weird last night realizing that I wasn’t voting the next day), so I still get to see everything that’s going on but I don’t have to wait through the line.
HelloRochester
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QdpGd74DrBM
Looking for an independent confirmation of this. I am making it a personal goal of mine to never cast another black-box electronic ballot without paper trail.
quannlace
Congratulations on your new arrival!
PurpleGirl
@dexwood: Sounds like a very good way to spend the day. Good luck with the new dog.
Raven
Boortz was screaming abut Black Panthers in Philly. I love the sound of defeat.
Mnemosyne
@Redshift:
What state are you in? Here in Los Angeles County, you walk up to your precinct table and tell them your name. One lady has you sign her book while another one crosses your name out in her book. No machines required. :-)
Of course, we also use Scantron (Inkavote) ballots. The only technology there is that it goes through a scanner to ensure that it’s valid (no overvotes or undervotes) as it goes into the ballot box.
karen
Who killed the intern?
I’m getting a ride from a Montgomery County, MD Dem volunteer so I’m just waiting….
Also, this is pathetic but after the election, as much as I will love all the ads and robocalling being gone, there will be a big hole in my life.
Is anyone as pathetic as I am or am I all alone in the patheticness.
Sparrowgal
Here on Long Island, in a relative non-disaster zone (just downed trees and power outages), voting was a dream…filled in my little circles and let the tabulator suck in my results.
I have heard from several Queens and NYC Facebook friends that Governor Cuomo’s executive order to allow voters to cast their ballots outside of their districts hasn’t made it down to poll worker level, and many have been arguing with voters that they can’t vote at these alternate locations. You would think that polling stations would be the first ones informed. Fortunately, my friends are rabid about this election, and have held their ground. Hope everyone is this tenacious.
La Caterina
Been on line to vote here iin Brooklyn since 11:00. Using my iPad to help the poll coordinator look up districts and speed the process for others.
Jewish Steel
@Roger Moore: Non-unionized, under aged gerbils working for 7 cents an hour, yes. So, an upgrade from FYWP.
Yutsano
@Judas Escargot, Bringer of Loaves and Fish Sandwiches: I thought he was from Michigan. Or Utah. Or he keept the house in NH to avoid paying Mass taxes. And let’s not forget La Jolla. Why can’t he vote in them all a la Ann Coulter?
nellcote
from the tweet machine:
Ralph Gilles@RalphGilles
Chrysler gave its entire work force the day off to Vote Today! Let’s go! #America
jibeaux
I’ve been entertaining myself by rickrolling #watchthevote on twitter, but it’s slow.
dexwood
Thank you, thank you. A good old-fashioned mixed-breed pup to teach this old guy some new tricks. My other guys are terrific and will help me greatly in training the youngster. Gotta run.
JoyfulA
Republican dirty tricks with doorhangers in PA: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/11/door_hanger_sends_york_voters.html#incart_river_default
Villago Delenda Est
@Raven:
Funny, Atrios didn’t report any problems with Black Panthers where he voted.
Then again, they know where he lives, wink wink, nudge nudge…
burnspbesq
Done. No line at my polling place at 8:00 a.m. in the blood-red heart of OC. I’m choosing to interpret that as Republicans not feeling it for Romney, with a soupcon of I’m-too-confused-by-all-these-ballot-propositions-to-care.
Bill Arnold
Done this morning. Very orderly, with at least one Democrat and Republican at each table, no line. We had to give up our lever machines in NYS (they made voting a physical process, with a satisfying thunk as the big lever recorded all the little levers and simultaneously opened the curtain), but they were replaced at least in my area with decent optical scan machines so a recount is possible.
My father’s polling place was without power. The state (NY) “brought in a generator”, and it was pretty busy.
Cassidy
@karen: This is our holiday. I will miss it too.
beltane
On FB I’m hearing of reports of long lines (3 blocks long!) to vote in Brooklyn. New York might not be in play but this will help with the popular vote numbers.
EconWatcher
Anyone else watch the video of Obama giving the last campaign speech of his life, in Iowa? It was pretty moving.
Man, what I wouldn’t give to be invited over for one of those White House home brews. I don’t find his affect to be aloof, but there is something inscrutable about the guy. If I could assemble one of those hypothetical dinner parties with the most interesting people in history, he’d be on the guest list.
Redshift
@Mnemosyne: Virginia. I have no idea why they’re using “electronic pollbooks”; they don’t use them in every election (or in every precinct.) I suspect someone convinced them that it would be “more efficient” with the heavy turnout of a presidential year, but it seems to be the exact opposite. (Gee, alphabetical order is so hard!)
Of course, since we have Hans Van Spakovsky on our county electoral board, and we’re the largest Democratic county in the state, it’s not out of the question to think that it’s deliberate ratfvcking. I’ll be interested to hear whether any other counties are using the system.
SatanicPanic
VOTED! Cast my ballot for the Kenyan Usurper at my University/Communist re-education camp
Cassidy
I posted this earlier and looking for some fresh eyes.
I got two Obama stickers and my daughter asked for one. She wanted to put one on a notebook and we jokingly talked baout her Civics notebook; her teacher is a winger. Anyway, she’s had another student who has been picking a fight with her daily (multiple times) over politics, constantly trying to start arguments about why Obama sucks. My oldest is pretty bright and she understands the girl is just repeating her parents and has no idea what she’s talking about. Initially, I told her to call her out and even embarass her, demand she support her positions with specifics, facts, etc. Then, after thinking, I told her to just tell the girl she doesn’t want to discuss it with her and she’s not going to as the girl clearly has no interest in having a discussion and just wants to berate someone for not thinking like her. I don’t know if she’s done that, but the girl keeps seeking her out to argue. I’m starting to wonder if I should go up there or let her handle it. I’m not concerned she’s being bullied. I am concerned that she will get sick of it and start a significant emotional event for all involved. Or, will it blow over after tomorrow when my daughter gloats all day.
PurpleGirl
I went out to vote around 10:00 A.M. Quick two minute walk across the small playground to Building #2. I was in line for my ED and a lady took me to the front so I didn’t have to wait (sometimes it’s good to bring the cane). Took maybe five minutes to fill in the circles and put the ballot into the scanner (I do miss the big machines and all the levers).
When I went to leave the house, there was a yellow sticky on the wall by the elevator which read: Defend Freedom, Defeat Obama… Vote. Of course, I took it down.
martian
The husband and I took the toddlers down to the polling place and took turns wheeling them around while we each voted. Snapped pictures of them with the ballot.
I voted for every Dem on the ticket even if they were running unopposed, probably for the first time in my life. I didn’t even vote for the Greens for the Water Reclamation District like I usually do even though I feel strongly that that’s what Greens should be doing – running in municipal elections and building the party up from the ground. Just can’t do that this year. Can’t chance any embryonic Republican politicians getting a foothold and achieving viability – and maybe not ever again. I’m going to have to think hard about it.
KG
For some reason, I (and my cousin that I live with) were not on the voter roll this morning in Long Beach. We just moved into the area but registered before te deadline. Had the sample ballot, and registration card and came up on the clerk’s website. Ended up having to take a provisional ballot because the poll workers didn’t know what to do other than ask if I was at the right place
gbear
I left the house early this morning to vote before work. Got to the polling place at about 7:20 and I was back in my car and heading to work at 7:35. There were about 50 people in the room but things were moving along very smartly. I wound up being early for work (I hate when I do that).
The Red Pen
Voting in Missouri was rather involved. You first show your ID to a poll worker and get a ticket. Then you get verified on the voter rolls and sign that. Then a DEM and a REP poll worker sign your ticket. Then you take the ticket to get a paper ballot. I also had the option of touch-screen, but I don’t know what you do with your ticket then. All very officious.
I’m telling people at work that my friend runs the Exchange server at the Illuminati headquarters and that he says that they’ve already decided that the election will go to Obama. There will be voting irregularities in Ohio and a recount in Florida, but that’s just for show.
Baskaborr
@Raven:
Saw the video. Black man wearing a black beret politely greeting and opening door for elderly white voters. Shocking, gentlemanly behavior in this day and age.
I can’t vote today. I voted first day of early voting here in Florida. I live in Gadsden County,(North)Florida. Arrived 10 minutes before closing time, no wait.
Bulworth
@PurpleGirl: Yeah, but Freedomz!!
Morbo
No line for my precinct, big line for the one next to it. In your face, other precinct!
sylvanroad
Just got back from phone banking at OFA headquarters in Hampton, Va. Probably at least 70 people there, young and old, including some adorable Hampton U students. We’re fired up and ready to go. Keep the Commonwealth blue!
Redshift
My favorite comment of the day from a voter, upon taking my Democratic sample ballot and politely refusing the Republican one: “I’m a Republican, but not today.”
kay
I made my first pass thru the BOE. They let me in, so that’s good. Apparently they’re booting True the Voters out all over Ohio because they didn’t file the required paper. Oh, well. Looks like we’ll have to muddle thru without the Texas Republican brain trust “advising” us on OH process.
I haven’t seen any GOP election observers. It’s funny how the GOP only put observers in Democratic (well, minority) precincts. I guess they’re not as worried about white people committing voter fraud.
They’re all excited because an AP reporter is coming to the BOE tonight.
I’m trying to imagine how they know this: did he/she call and say “I’ll be there tonight!”
Villago Delenda Est
@The Red Pen:
The time to be involved is in the registration process. The actual voting should be a snap.
If, of course, you’re interested in getting the most people to exercise their right to vote.
If you’re a Rethug, this of course is contrary to your interests.
So make it as involved as possible.
quannlace
Heard Chrysler has given it’s employees the whole day off to vote. Guess Romney really pissed them off.
Villago Delenda Est
@kay:
Those white people are committing the kind of voter fraud that Rethugs don’t mind at all.
It’s all so fucking transparent.
LanceThruster
@Redshift:
xD
scav
A congrats to the multi-voting undead in Chicago — you guys were on the ball this year! No line in my precint now although there was one earlier. GOTZV SUCCESS!
PaulW
@nellcote:
Seriously? A good-sized US Corporation let their workers off to vote?! Somewhere in this universe Ayn Rand just fainted…
dmsilev
@quannlace:
UnionManagement thugs throwing the election!FDRLincoln
I voted for Obama during early voting two weeks ago. It’s Kansas, so it won’t help the EV count, but it will show up in the PV at least.
I am SO looking forward to the establishment of the Socialist Muslim Atheist Kenyan Anti-Colonial Free Gay Abortions Regime tomorrow. I can’t wait to re-educate some other Kansans.
Also, too.
Original Lee
Voted this morning. Two hours in line, but the mood was cheerful and upbeat. The chief election judge asked us to call the county Board of Elections to ask for more voting machines – not enough machines for the turnout. Usually if you show up after 9 AM, as I did, the line is less than half an hour. When I left at 11 AM, the line was wrapping the building, so I did as she asked.
PurpleGirl
@martian: I’ve voted for people on the Working Families line a few times, mainly to keep their numbers up and keep them on the ballot. But today I voted a straight Democratic line (or column as the case may be). I felt that we have to maintain the Party this year.
smintheus
In my rural, conservative precinct the turnout seems to be a little down from 2008. Only 525 voters as of noon; the parking lot was empty. In 2008, there were more than 1200 votes cast in this town (about 60% for McCain).
Linnaeus
Mailed my ballot (I’m in WA) yesterday. We’re going to legalize pot and gay marriage!
comrade scott's agenda of rage
@Jewish Steel:
That would violate Child Labor laws so can’t be possible.
“Some say” that he’s hired meerkats and brought them here under the H1B visa program. Same end result as non-unionized gerbils working for 7 cents an hour but totally legal. Microsoft has been doing it for years.
Flukebucket
Oh boy. Boortz is howling about a twittered picture showing a voting location that has a mural of Obama on the wall. CHEATERS!!
les
Voted early, small but steady line in lovely Stilwell KS. After obummer, not a single fucking Dem candidate for any fucking office—congress, state legislature, county gov. Not fucking one. Well, it didn’t take long, anyway.
rlrr
@Flukebucket:
This tells me they know they’re losing, so they’re doing what they can to poison the well.
Chyron HR
@PaulW:
Who could have known that slandering major US corporations would have consequences?!
dr. bloor
@kay:
Guffman works in mysterious ways.
Flukebucket
@smintheus:
I heard on the news last night that the white vote was down substantially in the state of Georgia.
FormerSwingVoter
FROWNY BEE IS NOT A CITIZEN! VOTER FRAUD! VOTER FRAAAAUUUUD!!!
…I voted. I feel good :)
slag
Voted many days ago.
Got one good anecdote from canvassing this weekend. Romney’s 47% comment sealed his fate with at least one voter I spoke with. Hope for democracy reaffirmed.
Villago Delenda Est
@Flukebucket:
Boortz is another one of these guys who is overdue for a heavy object accidentally falling on him. I suggest Chris Christie or Rush Limbaugh.
djork
Voted in GA. Only had to write-in Jerry Garcia for one race in which the republican was unopposed.
grandpa john
I voted last week. Proudly cast my vote for Obama in Solid red SC. I know ,but it was not a waste of time, whe had loads of state and local elections, the plkace where politics starts. If people hadnot stayed home on local elections like FL,OH,VA,WI,PA and let the tea partiers take over their governments, we wouldn,t have to be listensisng to the concerned people now pissing and moaning whilewringing ltheir hands about concern for Voter suppression, and tampered with polling machines or what ever the latest hand wringing event is.
Gee if Dems had just got out and voted and elected Democrats to run their state and local govts voter suppression laws wouldn’t be a problem would they?
NotMax
@quannlace
Can see the right wing-y screaming headlines now:
Chrysler Lays Off Thousands of Workers
Chrysler to workers: Don’t Build That!
Chrysler Ends Production, Slashes Jobs Nov. 6
rlrr
I’m betting if Nate Silver is right, the candidates have an idea how things are going right about now.
With the exception of 2000 and 2004 (where the margins were abnormally close), it’s usually around noon eastern that the candidates get an idea how things are shaping up.
The Moar You Know
The only result I know for a certainty today, aside from the given Obama VICTORY, is that the vile piece of shit known as Darryl Issa is my new rep, replacing the somewhat less vile Brian Bilbray. Hoo-fucking-ray. I hope he gets dick cancer.
Cathy W
I was at my polling place (suburban Michigan, moderately diverse neighborhood both ethnically and economically) at 7:10. I think I finally got my ballot (#108 – in 2008 there were roughly 1175 ballots cast in the precinct) at about 8:00. When I left there were more people in line than there had been when I got there, but not too many.
The slow point in the process was the ID validation. Theoretically, they swipe your ID on a specially-rigged laptop and send you on your way – but there could be a flag (things like “must show extra ID”, “registration has been challenged”, “requested an absentee ballot”). Each flagged voter brought the line to a screeching halt, because there was only 1 specially-rigged laptop. The people near me in line agreed that having a second specially-rigged laptop might have been nice, because there were election workers sitting there looking apologetic about not being able to swipe our IDs and send us on our way while the precinct chief handled the flagged voter.
There don’t seem to have been any election monitors, UN observers, New Black Panthers, True The Vote-ers, or exit pollers at my precinct. Lots of signs, but only one intrepid literature-hander-outer suggesting that we vote for the totally-really-we-mean-it-non-partisan judicial candidates who’d been endorsed by the Democratic party.
djork
@Flukebucket:
Turnnout was down in my mostly white precint in Atlanta. in 2008, there was a 2 hour wait. I was in and out in 20 minutes this morning. Of course, it was raining, so that may have made some people wait.
Citizen_X
@Cassidy:
Probably, but also
On line to vote now!
cckids
@Frankensteinbeck:
Saw it Saturday, & I agree. It is wonderful. Tho it is very video-game intensive. I had my 19-yr-old game-design-major son with me, & he was continually cracking up at the background & inside baseball gaming references that went completely by me. You can enjoy it on either level.
Also too, this was a 7 pm Sat nite show, & the theater was 60/40 families with kids & college-age guys. A very strange mix, but everyone loved it.
Jibeaux
@Flukebucket: Because when in NC we had to vote on gay marriage in churches with “vote yes on amendment one” on the marquee there was such a conservative uproar.
burnspbesq
Any word on who got to play in Obama’s election-day pickup game?
Redshift
@kay: We have an overabundance of lawyers for the local Obama campaign. (Probably because we’re a suburb of DC, and a lot of people can’t take the time to travel much further.) We have an inside lawyer (you have to be a Virginia voter to be allowed inside) and two DC lawyers outside to do followup to help ensure provisional ballots will be counted. We’ve had maybe one provisional ballot every hour or two, so it’s massive overkill.
In addition, we have one or two people from an independent, nonpartisan election protection group. I don’t remember the name of the group, but they seem to be legit, and aren’t acting like closet Republicans.
I learned something new about provisional ballots here (or maybe it’s a new procedure this year.) If the state is close enough that provisional ballots could make the difference, there will be a hearing on Friday where people have to petition to have their ballot counted. However apparently you can designate someone else to represent you, so the campaign has a sheet where the voter can designate the campaign, and the campaign will go represent everyone, so they don’t all have to show up.
Provisional ballots still suck, but this makes them suck slightly less.
Cassidy
Is it Tuesday already?
Comrade Mary
Al Giordano at The Field has returned to writing about US politics again. He posted his predictions yesterday: Obama 318, Romney 220.
wenchacha
Anyone here in the Albany, NY area?
http://www.steamer10theatre.org/Pages/EclecticPerformanceSeries.htm
My brother, David Sturtevant, is performing his show about bipolar disorder at the Steamer 10 Theater this Friday, Nov.9, at 1PM and 8PM. His show is called Dis-Ease: A Coming Out
.
There is a suggested donation of $15, proceeds from which will go to mental health services in the Albany area.
http://events.timesunion.com/albany_ny/events/show/291790845-davy-sturtevant
For any of you who love someone with mental illness, you know the struggles, the frustrations, the fears. David’s performance addresses all those areas. He also shows that it’s possible to pick yourself up and keep going.
I would love it if I could put a few more people in seats at these two shows. If you have even the slightest inclination to go, I promise you good music, some laughter, and some tears. It might be a good place to be after all this anxiety associated with the election season.
Please contact me if you have any questions at “rubyruby01 @ yahoo dot com” without the spaces, of course.
Thanks, everybody!
SenyorDave
@les: As the Thomas Frank book says, “What’s the matter with Kansas”. Maybe some time in the future, Kansans will see the light.
I’m in Maryland myself, and my county is pretty blue, but the Republicans field a full slate of what passes for moderate Republican candidates (25 years ago they would have been called conservatives).
Frankensteinbeck
@cckids:
There were no shortage of those, and I got most of them, but I was busy having my heart broken and mended by the adorable glitch. If anything, I thought the gamer jokes were an unwanted distraction.
comrade scott's agenda of rage
@The Red Pen:
Depends totally on the county. Here in the Second Reddest County in Misery, all you do is show an ID, they look you up on the rolls, you sign the roll next to your entry to signify you voted, they hand you a ballot.
Of course I live in a rural county comprised of 13K white people of which 14.78 of us Democrats so the Repups here feel the chances of “voter fraud” are slim, thus, they can be casual about the process.
Soonergrunt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdpGd74DrBM&feature=player_embedded
Raven
@Villago Delenda Est: He’s done as of the 21st of January.
Michael
I’ve dealt with some sort of voter intimidation or irregularity in every Presidential election since I turned 18.
18 – 2000 – first vote for Al Gore in, of all places, Broward county. Did not tear off my chad. Who knows if it was counted?
22 – 2004 – Voted absentee for Kerry from college, no problem. But, volunteered for Kerry, had to deal with Bush staff intimidating college kids on my campus in New Hampshire to discourage them from voting in NH, rather than their home states. They claimed that kids could be fined or even imprisoned if they vote in NH. Did a lot of pushback against that crap
26 – 2008 – Staff for Obama for America. You can imagine the type of crap we dealt with. Misinformation about dates, polling locations, poll hours, ID requirements, etc. The whole 9 yards.
30 – 2012 – Submitted my application for an absentee ballot first week of October. Got it YESTERDAY. Had to shell out $45 to overnight it. But at least I know it’ll get counted, provided that FedEx doesn’t screw me.
Felt great though. I love voting.
Redshift
Oh, and I heard that the GOP observer in our polling place (I saw an instruction guide for Project Orca!) didn’t have her party permission slip, but they let her in anyway. None of the Hoveround brigade anywhere in sight, I guess they’re concentrating on Ohio.
comrade scott's agenda of rage
@les:
Sadly, Howard Dean’s 50 State Stragety lasted no longer than his tenure as head of the DNC. Shame, real shame.
mainmati
@Raven: Schools closed in Montgomery Co, MD too because many are used for polling places. I early voted and even though MD is far from being a swing state there were very large crowds at the polls. Partly, maybe because two referenda: “Dream Act” in-state tuition and marriage equality.
SenyorDave
@Villago Delenda Est: As much as I loathe Christie as a person (my wife is a retired teacher, and Christie went after teachers in a very nasty way), he is the closest thing you’ll ever get these days to a moderate national Republican. Plus, I believe he would tell the Tea Party types to go screw off.
Mr. Longform
In my bluish small circle in red Indiana, 10-minutes despite confused poll volunteer jumping from the Ks to the Ms and totally missing the Ls for 5 minutes until the nice even older poll volunteer next to her helped her unstick her pages. Still had to show my freaking photo ID, thanks to fascist Republican state legislators. But, although Obama has no chance here, even Hoosiers are too sane for Richard Mourdock, so we may end up with a Dem to replace Richard Lugar (a Hoosier Dem, so don’t get your hopes up.) Also, tea-party congressional candidate might lose, too. Could be a decent night, all things considered.
Zandar
Acceptable forms of ID here in Kentucky:
Driver’s License.
Social Security card.
Credit Card.
Any other ID with your name and picture.
Personal voucher from poll worker.
Ahh, the joys of a 89% white state.
Roger Moore
@KG:
I had a similar problem after moving in 2010. I changed by registration via the DMV, but apparently they were very slow about letting the registrar of voters know about it. I suspect something like that is probably your problem, too.
Iceskatingschnauzer
Just saw this on the Twitter feed…comments?
https://twitter.com/i/#!/JennyBrodie/media/slideshow?url=http%3A%2F%2Finstagr.am%2Fp%2FRsOc9Ah1sE%2F
Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism
@Redshift: We had electronic pollbooks at our early voting site, and everything went smoothly. Certainly saved the hassle of the A-to-D line going out the door and the other four little old ladies waiting too pounce on anyone who belonged in their lines.
Michael
Not sure what the campaign is doing this year, but in 2008, they literally had volunteers texting or calling in the names of voters who had already voted in the morning to clean lists for the afternoon phones and canvasses.
They also tracked turnout by precinct (kept granular, precinct-level data about preferences too), so by around this time we had a pretty good idea where turnout was high, low, etc, and how that added to the early vote.
The Red Pen
@Baskaborr:
Will Holder prosecute this? NO!!!
Roger Moore
@PaulW:
I think Chrysler management decided it was in their rational best interest to re-elect Obama. Nothing to see here, Randroids.
Soonergrunt
@Cassidy: It’s going to be moot in a few hours. Tell the daughter that the next time the romneybot junior fires up to tell her that the only thing your daughter wants is the sweet sweet taste of baby-wingnut tears.
PurpleGirl
Happy to say that NYS still does not have an ID requirement at the polls. You go in, go to your Election District table, tell them your name, they look it up in the book and you sign for this election. Then they hand you the ballot and direct you to a place to fill it out before scanning it.
Thoughtcrime
I was voter number 18 this morning at my polling station in Lafayette, CA. Easy process that took only ten minutes. But then this is an affluent, Democratic suburb.
Will leave work early “to vote” so I can hurry over to Pyramid Alehouse in Walnut Creek to join the Lamorinda Democratic Club’s election victory party: http://www.lamorindademoclub.org/documents/Events/Nov6th%20party%202012.pdf
Hoping our outstanding longtime Rep. George Miller will drop in.
Cathy W
In other news: I’ve been getting 3-4 robocalls a day on a particular race for the state legislature. Perhaps I’m a little unobservant, and the number of robocalls probably threw me off, but: it just dawned on me, thinking back on my ballot, that I don’t actually live in the district of the legislator that’s been robocalling me.
kelrian
Just got back from voting (bright blue district/city/county in a suddenly-competitive red state). Feels so good to stick that ballot in the box.
Here’s hoping that scuzzball Flake gets his rear trounced.
RedKitten
Anybody here have anything legit I can use to counter this kind of bullshit on peoples’ news feeds?
The Red Pen
@comrade scott’s agenda of rage:
That’s how it was when I voted in Springfield two years ago. I assumed it had changed state-wide since it’s different in STL. Of course, in the Ozarks, you don’t have very many… um… “fraud” voters if you catch my drift. You know… acks-blay.
Batocchio
A Message from The Greatest Generation (NSFW)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f17fWth3YgA&feature=player_embedded
one of the jasons
Just got back from my polling place in Butler Co. PA. They’re asking everybody for ID. Asked if it was required and the poll workers couldn’t really understand me. That’s one of the issues with our polling place – no poll worker is under 80 (on the flip side those little old ladies bring tons of candy and baked goods).
Soonergrunt
@RedKitten: Only that Philly.com, the website of the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper has NOTHING to substantiate the claim, and they’ve been following the issue of poll inspectors pretty closely. This is the only article on the subject, dated today:
Soonergrunt
@RedKitten: There’s also this:
Mnemosyne
@Soonergrunt:
Given what Kay was saying about the True the Voters screwing up their paperwork in Ohio, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Republican idiots in Pennsylvania did the same thing and are now SHOCKED and OUTRAGED because the pollworkers aren’t just letting them despite their lack of authorization or credentials.
grandpa john
@comrade scott’s agenda of rage: I keep thinking that sometimes within the next 50 or so years, the Democrat is leadership will manage to break the suction and pull their heads out of their asses and realize how much easier it would be to be the ones elected to govern on the national level, if we didn’t have to spend so much time on this voter suppression shit.
Shit that endures because they (dems)evidently feel no need to govern except on the national level, or else we would have years ago Installed Deans clear and concise strategy for maintaining power. It really requires little thought at all, If you control state legislatures and governors offices , you control whether or not legislation detrimental to voting rights or abortion rights etc. can be passed. I bet there are numerous 5th graders who understand the concept, so that leaves the question, why the hell can’t the grownup leadership of the party understand it?
Amir Khalid
@EconWatcher:
I hope this isn’t going to be the last campaign speech of Obama’s life. He’s still young-ish for a POTUS, as Bill Clinton was. I expect Obama will still be around after two popular and successful terms to help out a future Democratic candidate or President, as Bill has done for him in 2008 and the current cycle.
j
Someone upthread posted a video about a machine switching Obama votes to Romney.
IT’S TRUE!!
A judge ordered the machine taken out of service and held in a safe place.
http://tv.msnbc.com/2012/11/06/machine-turns-vote-for-obama-into-one-for-romney/
Villago Delenda Est
@Batocchio:
That is HILARIOUS!
“Right in the nut sack!”
Soonergrunt
@RedKitten: Further to my last:
http://wonkette.com/488811/totally-innocent-not-at-all-terrible-republican-poll-watchers-getting-booted-in-philly
ruemara
@Mnemosyne: Not so secret west indian, but I’ve been here since forever. Just have not been able to afford to make the legal jump to citizen. So I GOTV and keep people informed. Like Martin Bashir, but poor and with boobs. And way better fashion sense.
ruemara
@wenchacha: That’s awesome, wish I was in the neighborhood.
Ryan S.
Youtube Penn people need to see