A must read from Florida, courtesy Josh Marshall at tpm

dqueue

(226 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Oct-31-04 08:26 PM
Original message

A must read from Florida, courtesy Josh Marshall at tpm

I'm sure this is probably a dup, and most everyone has read it already, but... just in case...

Still in Florida, a letter sent to Josh.

This was one of the most moving, meaningful days of my life.

My job is to get people to the polls and, more importantly, to keep them there. Because they�re crazily jammed. Crazily. No one expected this turnout. For me, it�s been a deeply humbling, deeply gratifying experience. At today�s early vote in the College Hill district of East Tampa -- a heavily democratic, 90% African American community � we had 879 voters wait an average of five hours to cast their vote. People were there until four hours after they closed (as long as they�re in line by 5, they can vote).

Here�s what was so moving:

We hardly lost anyone. People stood outside for an hour, in the blazing sun, then inside for another four hours as the line snaked around the library, slowly inching forward. It made Disneyland look like speed-walking. Some waited 6 hours. To cast one vote. And EVERYBODY felt that it was crucial, that their vote was important, and that they were important.

And there were tons of first time voters. Tons.

...

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

althecat

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Oct-31-04 08:34 PM
Response to Original message

1. Nice story...But hell what is going to happen on Tuesday!!!!

But hell what is going to happen on Tuesday... if there are queues like this during early voting. Is there any explanation for why it is taking so long to vote?

al

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

dqueue

(226 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Oct-31-04 08:38 PM
Response to Reply #1

3. not via this letter...

not via this letter. Well, there is inference that some of the delay is purposeful... I don't know in what way, exactly. Too few voting booths/machines? Technical glitches? DDoS attacks against their wireless networks if they're a particular brand of e-voting system? I don't really know...

Maybe TSA can step in Tuesday to help manage the lines; they do a reasonable job at the airport, at least when I've traveled...

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Rose Siding

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Oct-31-04 08:37 PM
Response to Original message

2. These reports are so moving that I'm only half-kidding when I say...

that if there's a line like this at my poll, I'll be tempted to sing We Shall Overcome. I can't help it; it keeps coming to mind as I see pics of lines filled with all sorts of people, and stories of record turnout.

I don't want to minimize any earlier battles or movements but We Shall Overcome Tuesda-a-a-a-ay

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

LiberalAndProud

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Oct-31-04 08:40 PM
Response to Original message

4. * has reminded us all that we must excercise our right to Vote if we hope

not to lose it.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Wed May 08th 2024, 11:37 AM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.