I am in a heavily DemocRAT Mongomery County, PA ward. I voted at about 7:30AM. No one in line, just walked right in (on the registration sheet it looked like there were about 35 people who had already voted) which is pretty typical of a mid-term election. However at about the same time in 2004 there was a line around the building.
In Lubbock, TX, a "voting experiment" of sorts is going on. They call it "super-precincts". Basically, it's a "vote anywhere" scenario at various locations (grocery stores, churches, etc.) rather than at assigned precinct locations with computerized voter check-in to keep folks from voting twice. There are fewer voting locations than under the "assigned-precinct" deal, but it seems more convenient.
I voted early, so I haven't been to any of the polling places today.
Catoosa County GA, so red that Mark Taylor, the dim running against Gov. Sonny Perdue, didnt spend 1 dime in this area (no yard signs, no ads, no mailings, no phone calls)
No straight ticket option, so I had to mark each and every R on the ballot!
Arrived at 10:30am, 5 machines, and I had to wait maybe 10 min total. It is pouring down rain here. Asked the ladies what the count was so far, and they told me 187, very high for a mid term election. They joked that they brought puzzle books, and had yet had time to open them up. A steady stream of voters in and out the door.
Debold machines, and not one error on my ballot... maybe I just did it right :)
Checking in from Volusia County , Florida. My wife and I voted at about 10:00AM. Compared to other years, it seemed to be a pretty good turnout for a midterm election. Folks seemed to be very motivated and very anxious to vote.
bookmark
Public school building, East Hartford, CT, early this morning, right after the polls open. Had problems with privacy booths not having either black or blue pens or pencils. Used scan optic voting for the first time.
Grand Haven Michigan I drove around at about 10:00 am, moderate to heavy turnout, strong republican base.
Heavily Republican precinct 603 in NE Albuquerque, with 2400 registered voters only received 150 ballots.
Folks are getting hopping mad over this.
One thing I've noticed was that they had two HUGE paper allots, given all the things we have to vote on. Here in Sacramento, the voter propositions are the hot thing (SMUD annexing Yolo County to be electricity provider, two ballot initiatives for a new sports arena in the former Southern Pacific railyard, and a lot of hot statewide propositions). The ballots are filled out in pen (hooray!!) and then are read by a special locked computer scanner.
Voted at 8:30 am here in Gilbert, Arizona, which is heavily Republican. There was no line so I was in and out of there in 10 minutes. We require voter ID here in AZ, which I was happy to provide.
We use long paper ballots (4 pages this time!) in which we complete the arrow for our vote, and then it immediately gets scanned.
Somehow, on election days, I always feel proud to be a minority woman, naturalized citizen who votes straight Republican, with a Hispanic husband who also votes straight "R." After voting, I always leave with a big smile on my face. It feels so good to vote!
Voted at 10:00 in Timonium, Maryland. Bob Ehrlich's home district. Heaviest turnout I've ever seen in my polling place. Election worker said they usually get 80% in any election, though.
I repeated this post on the USA Today blogs:
After voting electronically for the first time, I can only laugh at the overwrought stories of polling-place drama. It was simple, quick, clear and efficient...AND there was a paper trail!
Anyone not capable of using these machines needs to get rid of their coffeepot and microwave oven as they are likely too thick to use kitchen appliances safely.
I guess the Luddites who want neither electronics nor identification to be involved in deciding elections fairly will have to dream up another bogeyman before 2008.
PS - There are already billboard posts in the comments section for many of the USA blog entries...the usual stuff from someone signing as 'Bush Republican Voting Machines.' Where in the he11 do they grow these idiots?
Upstate SC. 7:10 am passed by my polling place, looked like alot of people (20+) already. It's raining here, supposed to rain all day. I'll be voting around 4:30 pm.
I was surprised at work. I work in a large cube with a girl from Russia(Not a citizen-can't vote), a girl from Peru ( A citizen-does vote) and this man about 60 who wears white pants to work EVERY SINGLE DAY. Anyway....the (florida) Govenors race came up. Guess what? The two girls want Crist...the man wants the Dem Davis. I was pleasantly surprised with the girls....
Turn out report in SE Wisconsin Western Suburbs. I usually vote after lunch, today went @ 11:00 am local time. Total vote is approaching 1000, normally @ 500 to 600 when I have voted in the past. Turnout appears to be great in a generally republican area.
When I voted this morning here in Leesburg, VA, Four minutes after poll opening at 6 AM, I was about #30. I initially requested electronic voting, but there was one guy who looked totally befuddled at the single voting machine. After 5 minutes, I went back, requested and received the paper ballot and cast my votes for Allen and Wolf and for the Marriage Ammendment.
paper ballots and no problems with machines for us:-)