Kudos to my state for a good voting experience

I walked to my polling place, ten minutes away from home one way. Total time home-to-home, including walking: 44 minutes. Most of the time that I've lived in California, I've been able to walk to the polling place.

At the polling place, there was no line. I signed in and voted on a paper ballot. There was one machine there, I presume for anyone who either needed it or preferred it. I had my sample ballot all marked so I could just copy my choices--sample ballot came in the mail a couple weeks ago, as it always does. The actual ballot was exactly like the sample ballot, every race and ballot proposition exactly where it was on the sample ballot, no surprises, no searching around.

I was able to mark up my sample ballot in advance because it and the voter information pamphlet came awhile ago in the mail. They contained statements from any candidates who wanted to include one (Some actually don't. I've never understood that, but I don't think I ever voted for one that didn't include a statement in the pamphlet.), as well as explanations of the ballot propositions and arguments for and against by the supporters and opponents.

All in all, a positive and easy experience.

My only complaint is that when I voted in mid-afternoon, there were not a lot of voters marked off as having voted in the official log book. I hope my liberal blue area is showing up today.