Early birds, long lines: Crowds, complex ballot slow the process(Florida)

Miami Herald ^ | 11/4/02 | SOFIA SANTANA, EVAN S. BENN AND MARTIN MERZER

[BJungNan]

Touch machine, that explains it. Someone thought it would be easier and quicker on a computer.

Get out the paper cards, the card reader and the number 2 pencils. Fill in the little circle. Do not mark outside the circle. Fill the circle in completely. Be sure to read carefully before making your selection. If you make a mistake, erase completely.

Gather the cards, run them through the machine. Works like a charm. And I bet you could have picked up the system for pennies on the dollar of what the new system cost.

KISS Keep It Simple Stupid. In Floiduh's case, KISFS Keep It Simple For Stupid.

[beckett]

A Sample Ballot is essential this time around, along with some time dedicated to study it.

I have already filled out my Sample Ballot. All I need to do tomorrow is transfer that data into the machine. But I'm probably the exception, and so, yes, lots of folks will be in the Voting Booth for 10 or more minutes, easy.

[NautiNurse]

Seems a whopping four machines have been located. Sun-Sentinal October 31:
The county owns 5,040 touch-screen machines, but 14 are still missing from the Sept. 10 primary

[Jonathon Spectre]

Heeding complaints from the crowd, election workers brought out 30 chairs. That seemed inadequate to Larry Seidman, 79, of Pembroke Pines.

''How about some lunch?'' he asked.

Wonder what party he's going to vote for.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"I didn't think I'd have to wait an hour," said Mark Sanchez, 34, of West Kendall."

Mr. Sanchez (whom I am safely assuming to be of Cuban descent) needs to keep in mind that in Cuba, they have been waiting to vote since 1952.

It's incredible that people think that an hour out of their lives to carry out the most important duty of the citizenry in our form of government, is a lot to ask for.

[inflorida]

I am filling out my sample ballot to bring with me tomorrow and I am not sure about a couple of the Court of Appeals judges. Any info on the following would be great:
Orfinger
Palmer
Pleus
Sawaya

Thanks!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

TOLL-FREE NUMBER FOR VOTERS WHO HAVE PROBLEMS AT POLLS ON ELECTION DAY

The number is 1-866-VOTE-411. You'll be prompted to enter your 5-digit zip code -- you can leave a recorded message about the problem you're having -- and then you'll be transferred either to a Democratic Party "Promote and Protect" call center or your local County Board of Elections.

DNC Toll-Free Election-Day # [GOP pollworkers, voters w/complaints: let YOUR voice be heard!]

[floriduh voter]

Will you make an exception FV? You said no more "duh". lol Thanks for putting the toll free number up there. So, you found out it's inclusive? Very interesting. I know, wrong thread but I should be sleeping. I am really under the weather. You, go, ragtime. I'll be back tomorrow. Good night all you worker bees.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Sorry, inflorida. I have no idea. Did you check the Florida board? My local judges were all Chiles-Graham appointees so I voted "NO"...but the SOE said that in 20 years not one judge has been voted off the bench. My Dem. neighbor is voting "No" for both FSC Judges. Maybe a first for Florida voters? (^:

[Lurking2Long]

Idiot Dems slow the process!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

You are most definitely not a DUH. I don't think that the DNC number is meant for US, but what are they going to do? Deny OUR eyewitness voter fraud complaints - AGAIN!(^:

Get well. We'll spread the news.

I got a LITTLE carried AWAY with those CAPS, lol!

[Zebra]

I hope the fraud watchers are out in force tomorrow. The reported anecdotes of cheating and fraudulent behavior have been increasing at an alarming rate, and absent enforced sanctions (jail time) against this, it will grow and undermine the free election system. I expect that technology will eliminate most, if not all, fraud within 25 years. Until that time, the Democratic Party will become more and more associated with the problem of vote fraud. Please be vigilant tomorrow!

[I still care]

It is because we have tons of constitutional amendments on in Florida, I think about 11. They are all long and many are difficult to make heads or tail out of. If you have never read them before, even if you are a good reader, you will spend at least 15 minutes reading them. So many people, who think they just have to vote "Bush" or "McBride" are going to greeted with pages and pages (literally) of reading tomorrow. That is why the repubs have been pushing early voting here.

[zip]

..."busloads"....I can see it now - stay on the bus fellow dimocrats, we're going to vote again at the next stop.

[SES1066]

I was 1st in line at my polling place with about 5 behind me very quickly. By the time the polling place opened, there were roughly 28 people in line. It took me longer to get my electronic card than it took me to vote on the touch-screen. So long as people have a picture ID out to show and study the ballot before going into the polling place, there should be no problems! Now we will see how some of the NOTORIOUS precincts do.