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Freedomofspeech

(4,226 posts)
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 01:32 PM Nov 2016

Worst voting experience of my life.

Here in red hillbilly hell in SW PA....people in Trump shirts and Hillary for prison shirts....inside the polling place. One woman brought her dog in and announced to everyone that the dog was putting its paw down for Trump. Two high school students were manning the voting machines. The guy in front of me didn't know how to use the machine and the kid helped him....the kid turned to the girl manning the other machine and smiled and said Trump....telling her who the imbecile was voting for. The high school girl saw someone at the door in the Hillary for prison shirt and the kid looked at her and said, I wish I had one of those. We didn't say anything there because we would have been physically attacked. My husband then called the State Democratic Committee and they were going to send some out. I was actually having chest pains.

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Worst voting experience of my life. (Original Post) Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 OP
Bide your time... Karma's coming... hlthe2b Nov 2016 #3
Unfortunately Pennsylvania does not have early voting, but I believe they have no excuse absentee still_one Nov 2016 #4
You should report this to ProPublica who are collecting stories like this budkin Nov 2016 #7
Thank you Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #12
Not legal Hapstinna Nov 2016 #10
Should have called the police leftynyc Nov 2016 #15
Our police are all Trumphumpers Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #21
In Michigan at least you can't wear candidate specific jimlup Nov 2016 #26
Sure didn't happen here... Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #29
That happened at my polling place this morning. Some goober came in wearing a catbyte Nov 2016 #95
Hopefully the long lines in Philadelphia will more than make up the difference. n/t SleeplessinSoCal Nov 2016 #27
Thank God the transit strike is over. Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #33
In NW New Jersey, VWolf Nov 2016 #28
Imbeciles. Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #31
Trump has poisoned an already toxic GOP. SleeplessinSoCal Nov 2016 #70
A behind me said "tomorrow we get that wall" DeminPennswoods Nov 2016 #97
Brew some tea, sit someplace comfy; slowly sip that tea, and with eyes closed, envision this.... Moonwalk Nov 2016 #34
Thanks, I needed to hear that. Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #41
Arizona passed a law.... bhusar Nov 2016 #45
Does that apply to poll workers? n/t StarryNite Nov 2016 #76
No. bhusar Nov 2016 #80
Damn, these fuckers are brazen lillypaddle Nov 2016 #48
Please put the name/exact location of your location in your OP and I will call and report Sunlei Nov 2016 #49
We already reported it. Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #55
Poll workers... glassaye Nov 2016 #50
These were the people voting Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #51
What stereotypes? Dawson Leery Nov 2016 #53
I'm sorry your voting experience was ruined by those idiots. sarae Nov 2016 #54
OMG! Kelt_Gyrl Nov 2016 #57
That sounds horrible! You deserve a foot massage and a nice glass of wine after that. Glimmer of Hope Nov 2016 #59
Already drinking. Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #90
My experience was very pleasant. pwb Nov 2016 #60
Sorry you had to go through that, and good job calling the state Democratic Committee. Fla Dem Nov 2016 #61
Thanks for the o.p., Free. Mc Mike Nov 2016 #63
Wow such awful people...I am judging them hard. Demsrule86 Nov 2016 #64
Yikes Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #91
she doesn't discuss voting, but we all know how she's voting Skittles Nov 2016 #123
Please take care of yourself and keep us updated if you can. I hate these scumbags! grossproffit Nov 2016 #69
Freedom Soxfan58 Nov 2016 #73
Thanks, I'm fine. Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #98
I'm glad you're good now. hamsterjill Nov 2016 #108
Relax. Imagine those deplorables crying themselves to sleep tonight. oasis Nov 2016 #77
^ This Pacifist Patriot Nov 2016 #78
Please let us know what, if anything, happens! mfcorey1 Nov 2016 #82
did you get a sense these were first time voters? Or just really enthusiastic? Fast Walker 52 Nov 2016 #83
Combination Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #88
Hmmm, thanks. Sorry for your experience. Fast Walker 52 Nov 2016 #148
That is absolutely illegal DeminPennswoods Nov 2016 #92
I live up that way and my girls and I haven't voted yet. Carbon is our voting area. Can you message wisteria Nov 2016 #96
Scottdale Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #100
I wonder how many times they let certain people vote? Ilsa Nov 2016 #106
There was a Democrat Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #110
deleted pat_k Nov 2016 #111
I know it's now after the fact, but you should have taken pictures. In some states.... George II Nov 2016 #112
Not true of PA. But taking photos? Yeah, THAT is not allowed. WinkyDink Nov 2016 #134
I am so glad I moved out of rural PA LynneSin Nov 2016 #116
Lucky you... Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #122
Don't move because of them if you are happy with your home LynneSin Nov 2016 #129
Love our home but peace of mind would be better. Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #142
jeez Skittles Nov 2016 #118
I Ran Into RobinA Nov 2016 #121
Not worth jail time... Freedomofspeech Nov 2016 #124
The laws about "political paraphernalia" have changed in PA. Basically, shirts ok, buttons not. WinkyDink Nov 2016 #127
peace now and I am sorry your state does not have mail voting to avoid these scenes. lunasun Nov 2016 #133
I'm sorry you had to go through that. Mad_Dem_X Nov 2016 #137
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still_one

(92,236 posts)
4. Unfortunately Pennsylvania does not have early voting, but I believe they have no excuse absentee
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 01:36 PM
Nov 2016

voting which people can apply for

Hapstinna

(10 posts)
10. Not legal
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 01:41 PM
Nov 2016

It is against the law to wear anything into the poll site indicating who you support. That includes hats, t-shirts etc. Someone needs to get over there that knows something and let people know this. I am glad your husband called the Dem. Committee. Someone in my state was told he had to remove his Trump hat and cover up his Trump t-shirt.....

jimlup

(7,968 posts)
26. In Michigan at least you can't wear candidate specific
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 02:02 PM
Nov 2016

shirts to a polling place. If you come in with a T-shirt supporting a particular candidate the poll workers are instructed to tell the voter to turn it inside out.

Freedomofspeech

(4,226 posts)
29. Sure didn't happen here...
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 02:07 PM
Nov 2016

And I know that's the law. Every decent person around here is scared to death of the Trumphumpers. ..they all carry guns.

catbyte

(34,406 posts)
95. That happened at my polling place this morning. Some goober came in wearing a
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 03:43 PM
Nov 2016

Make Americayaddayaddayadda hat & a nice poll worker lady politely asked him to remove it & put it in his pocket. I think he was too surprised to react verbally, but he did as she asked. Actually, it would've been like yelling at your grandma, but that's never stopped the trumphumpers before. Judging by the disgusted looks on the faces of the people in line, he was the only trumphumper in the building, lol.

This was in Lansing, MI

VWolf

(3,944 posts)
28. In NW New Jersey,
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 02:05 PM
Nov 2016

which is particularly red, I overheard a guy say "I should be on the list - unless Clinton took me off it"

I also overheard him say "There's probably 300 Mexicans in line to vote in Dover" and "I hope to god this county stays republican"

Was gonna say something, but he was gone before I could.
Never happened to me before.

Deplorable.

SleeplessinSoCal

(9,123 posts)
70. Trump has poisoned an already toxic GOP.
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 02:49 PM
Nov 2016

I fear it will take decades to recover from the injection of lies as political speech.

DeminPennswoods

(15,286 posts)
97. A behind me said "tomorrow we get that wall"
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 03:44 PM
Nov 2016

He said it with not the least bit of irony since my little township is almost all homogenious white people. The school district even went so far this year as to only allow their students to the big homecoming dance and prom. If you're dating someone from another school district, too bad, can't bring them. This is how insular it is.

There were 2 AfAms in line in front of me. I was surprised everyone in line didn't run away at the sight of them.

Moonwalk

(2,322 posts)
34. Brew some tea, sit someplace comfy; slowly sip that tea, and with eyes closed, envision this....
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 02:10 PM
Nov 2016

...tonight, everyone of those asshats will hear that Trump lost big and Hillary is President. They will scream, they will shout, they will cry, they will feel worse than you did today, like the world has come to an end. They will be brought lower than low. Devastated not only that night and for the next weeks, but likely for the next four years.

And you, you will be smiling, and cheering and elated. And for the next four years, at least, even on bad days, you'll be able to think, "Hillary's in the white house! And I helped to put her there." And you will feel the sun is shining on you.

Does that make you feel any better?

P.S. you and your husband were very brave. Your courage just voting in such circumstances are an inspiration. Thank you. I hope wherever you move to, your new neighbors and county appreciate you and treat you well.

Freedomofspeech

(4,226 posts)
41. Thanks, I needed to hear that.
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 02:19 PM
Nov 2016

During the last election our home was the call center for the area. There were days we would have twenty people here calling and knocking on doors. Turned out we were #1 in the state for phone calls and door knocks. Our team captain was invited to the White House right after the election. We offered our home again this campaign but not one event was held here. They pulled three of five Hillary people out of the county to go work in Eastern PA. Cannot wait to get the hell out of here.

bhusar

(131 posts)
45. Arizona passed a law....
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 02:21 PM
Nov 2016

....in 2012 redefining electioneering, you can were your stuff in the polling place, outside, pass stuff out etc, you just can't talk about it unless you are more then 75 feet..so essentially my state legalized electioneering.

lillypaddle

(9,581 posts)
48. Damn, these fuckers are brazen
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 02:24 PM
Nov 2016

Sorry you had to deal with that. I hope the end results will have made it worth it.

glassaye

(4 posts)
50. Poll workers...
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 02:25 PM
Nov 2016

cannot wear that crap.
There are laws against any shirts/signs at the polling place, especially for the poll workers.
I would be pissed.

Dawson Leery

(19,348 posts)
53. What stereotypes?
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 02:29 PM
Nov 2016

Sorry to hear about this.
I have the good fortune of being CT. Not many rednecks around here and we have strong voter protection laws enforced by Hartford.

sarae

(3,284 posts)
54. I'm sorry your voting experience was ruined by those idiots.
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 02:29 PM
Nov 2016

It makes me angry that you had to experience that.

Thank you for contacting the Dem Committee and letting them know.

Kelt_Gyrl

(24 posts)
57. OMG!
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 02:35 PM
Nov 2016

WOW! I can't imagine what is must have been like for you to endure all of that! Trump accuses Hillary of things that HE is Perpetrating!
This is so wrong on so many levels and I hope that people do call when faced with this scenario because that shouldn't be happening! I hope you are able to relax after leaving the hell hole. Thank you for your brave effort to vote today it definitely counts!

Freedomofspeech

(4,226 posts)
90. Already drinking.
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 03:36 PM
Nov 2016

We are having several friends here for dinner this evening. Made my husband get out the Woodford Reserve and make me adouble....it's 5 o'clock somewhere.

Demsrule86

(68,593 posts)
64. Wow such awful people...I am judging them hard.
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 02:45 PM
Nov 2016

Just got back from GOTV...having lunch and going back out...one woman on my list is the GOP mother of the girl on my list I guess...she has a broken step and I fell...it went up and down...she opened the door and asked why I was lying on her porch. I said 'I fell'. She asked what I want...I told her and she slammed the door in my face with a 'we don't discuss voting'...left me lying on the step with all my paperwork around me...Luckily not hurt ...just pissed. But I did not ring her doorbell again and ask for her lawyers name or trample her flower bed...they go low , we go high.

Soxfan58

(3,479 posts)
73. Freedom
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 02:51 PM
Nov 2016

Please go to the emergency room and get some test done, it may well save your life. And I want to see you keep posting here.

Freedomofspeech

(4,226 posts)
98. Thanks, I'm fine.
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 03:45 PM
Nov 2016

It was anxiety...being in a confined space with all those awful people was putting me over the edge. Having a double bourbon now.

hamsterjill

(15,222 posts)
108. I'm glad you're good now.
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 03:55 PM
Nov 2016

I can only imagine the intimidation factor you endured. I know I'm stating the obvious, but it should NOT be this way. Thank you for speaking up and reporting the behavior. You may have saved someone else from having to endure this!

Freedomofspeech

(4,226 posts)
88. Combination
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 03:28 PM
Nov 2016

We vote every election and most of these people we have never seen before...first time we ever had to wait in line. We live in a very small town.

DeminPennswoods

(15,286 posts)
92. That is absolutely illegal
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 03:39 PM
Nov 2016

There's no campaigning allowed in the polls whatsoever. The election judge should have stopped this even before it started.

Make sure the state Democratic party is made aware of the problem.

 

wisteria

(19,581 posts)
96. I live up that way and my girls and I haven't voted yet. Carbon is our voting area. Can you message
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 03:43 PM
Nov 2016

me where you voted? This is just terrible, and I can not believe they could get away with that. But, it is getting bad, and we are looking to get out too.

Ilsa

(61,695 posts)
106. I wonder how many times they let certain people vote?
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 03:52 PM
Nov 2016

If they are under 18 yo, then they probably aren't worried about going to jail.

George II

(67,782 posts)
112. I know it's now after the fact, but you should have taken pictures. In some states....
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 04:00 PM
Nov 2016

....they don't allow political "paraphernalia" (t-shirts) inside the polling place.

LynneSin

(95,337 posts)
116. I am so glad I moved out of rural PA
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 04:06 PM
Nov 2016

It's a shame that these voters do not realize that their lives will get better with a progressive in the White House and not a right-wing extremist.

Trickle-Down Economics do not work. The rich just pock the new found cash into an off-shore bank account.

Glad you made it out of the election booth ok!

Freedomofspeech

(4,226 posts)
122. Lucky you...
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 04:09 PM
Nov 2016

Putting the house on the market this spring. I have lived here my whole life but I don't recognize this place anymore.

LynneSin

(95,337 posts)
129. Don't move because of them if you are happy with your home
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 04:19 PM
Nov 2016

But you are right - the politics can drive a person bonker!

Skittles

(153,169 posts)
118. jeez
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 04:07 PM
Nov 2016

I live in a solid red area but voting was a breeze, the workers are always extremely professional, the voters behave themselves and I have no doubt that the cops would haul away anyone attempting any kind of disruption

RobinA

(9,894 posts)
121. I Ran Into
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 04:09 PM
Nov 2016

t-shirts in purple Montgomery County, Pa. Hillary for Prison outside, a lovely hand lettered number, and Hillary's Lies Matter inside. Lies Matter was telling everybody who would listen that he was ex-military and the military didn't trust Hillary. Someone had apparently made him put a jacket on, but you could still read his shirt. I could have hit For Prison with my car and claimed it was an accident, but the car is leased, so it didn't seem like the best idea.

Freedomofspeech

(4,226 posts)
124. Not worth jail time...
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 04:13 PM
Nov 2016

I still believe in Karma. Nice thought, though. I catch spiders and bugs in my house and release them outside however...

lunasun

(21,646 posts)
133. peace now and I am sorry your state does not have mail voting to avoid these scenes.
Tue Nov 8, 2016, 04:23 PM
Nov 2016

Hope everyone realizes how important early voting by mail is

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