So, I drove home yesterday and this morning the whole family (six of us) went to the polling station at 5:30. It is always nice to do this as a family, but this one was special since it was my youngest sister’s first time vote.
Some observations about the polling station:
1.) There was a line a quarter mile long when we rolled up at 5:30. It was a mile and a half before the polls opened at 6.
2.) It was at an elementary school that it has been at for the last 2 presidential elections. Not a bad local except they changed one of the two line entrances to a side door that was to small for wheel chairs.
3.) In Virginia it is illegal for poll workers to wear any T-shirts/buttons/banners and the like which actually annoyed me at first but in fact led to a far more calm and friendly atmosphere in my opinion.
4.) There were some Obama voting rights representatives inside the polling station (badge less) who promptly made clear that they would help anyone in need, and in fact almost immediately ended up clearing up a curbside disability issue for Republicans (local rep volunteers bringing disabled veterans). They were very helpful and honestly completely non partisan.
5.) There were ten electronic stations, each easy to use.
6.) The provisional polling station was vacant for the hour I could see it, so I assume there were no registration problems.
One thing that did disturb me while talking to some voters in line was that apparently Virginia and the Federal government screwed up their absentee ballots. Military members were allowed to download a Federal ballot online that required one signature, while Virginia requires two. As far as I know the ballots will be counted regardless, but damn how hard is this!
So, if you care to let us know your vote do so, or just tell us your polling experience.
Some observations about the polling station:
1.) There was a line a quarter mile long when we rolled up at 5:30. It was a mile and a half before the polls opened at 6.
2.) It was at an elementary school that it has been at for the last 2 presidential elections. Not a bad local except they changed one of the two line entrances to a side door that was to small for wheel chairs.
3.) In Virginia it is illegal for poll workers to wear any T-shirts/buttons/banners and the like which actually annoyed me at first but in fact led to a far more calm and friendly atmosphere in my opinion.
4.) There were some Obama voting rights representatives inside the polling station (badge less) who promptly made clear that they would help anyone in need, and in fact almost immediately ended up clearing up a curbside disability issue for Republicans (local rep volunteers bringing disabled veterans). They were very helpful and honestly completely non partisan.
5.) There were ten electronic stations, each easy to use.
6.) The provisional polling station was vacant for the hour I could see it, so I assume there were no registration problems.
One thing that did disturb me while talking to some voters in line was that apparently Virginia and the Federal government screwed up their absentee ballots. Military members were allowed to download a Federal ballot online that required one signature, while Virginia requires two. As far as I know the ballots will be counted regardless, but damn how hard is this!
So, if you care to let us know your vote do so, or just tell us your polling experience.
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