*** OFFICIAL "I VOTED" THREAD #4 ***

We've got a bunch of competing "I voted" threads, and it's difficult to find everyone's voting story. Some members have asked to have an official "I voted" thread so we can all meet in one place. After you vote, please post in this thread to tell us about it. If you've already posted your voting story in another thread, feel free to post it again here. And don't forget to assign yourself an "I Voted" avatar!

IMPORTANT: After you post your voting story in this thread, take a moment to go post positive, pro-Kerry voting experiences on blogs and message boards for your local newspapers and other media. Let's help spread the word that we're excited to vote for the Kerry-Edwards ticket!

When this thread gets too long, we'll open another one.

Voted in the rain. I had to wait about 20 minutes. Would've waited all day if necessary.

As of 3pm ET, 3 hours before the polls close in KY, my precinct had over a 50% turn out which is "unprecedented" according to the poll workers! Our precinct is OVER 75% registered Democrats too!

It was a pleasure to cast my vote for John Kerry and Daniel Mongiardo.

Small church about two blocks away from my house. I walked there, had no problems. It was easy as pie, and it felt GREAT!

nt

church about one block from my house no line at lunch but helpfully nice poll workers. just one creepy guy at at table in the back taking notes and watching everyone vote.

No problems. Just crabby Shrubites griping about the poll workers being "untrained" and the lines too long for them. "So, go home" I thought. I waited for an hour starting at 6:45 this morning. Looked at the zero-tally on both machines--everything A-Okay.

Poll workers said I came at the right time, so it had apparently been a busy day up to that point. A line was growing as I left, so maybe I got there during the duldrums?

The wait was about 20 minutes once I got into the building. No-one seemed to be having any issues with ballot box machines.

half hour wait at polling station, new optical scan voting system to replace decertified touch screen system.

No problems I encountered other than the first line I've ever seen there

Yes indeedy! Walked right on in and cast my vote STRAIGHT DEMOCRAT. One thing I did noticed as I was looking at my name on the rolls. I noticed the names of about 11 people that I know are currently locked up in the local jail that has not had their trials as of yet. My question is are they permitted to vote via absentee? or forgetaboutit? They arent convicted felons yet? What are the rules regarding this because I was shocked to see the names that I knew was on lockdown on those rolls.

#606 for my precinct (one of 12). Local towns have been reporting lines all day since opening.

I voted row E in NYC/Manhattan. No problems - one person ahead of me in line. My district is all Democratic Incumbents.

I'm a registered Democrat but I voted Working Families Party for the Democratic Slate (the slate was identical even for local offices). I think it's kind of neat to be able to vote third party for the Democratic ticket. Also like what WFP stands for - living wage, affordable housing and low-cost state tuition.

Wednesday, Oct 20. The 3rd day of early voting. I live in NW Bexar County, just outside of San Antonio, in an "exurban" area that is no doubt very heavily Republican. I voted at the closest early voting location, no doubt also in a heavily Republican area, at a brand new elementary school.

I met my SO there and we went in to vote. It was around 11:30am and there was a short line. I couldn't get it out of my mind that probably everyone else in there was a Republican, so I wanted to get out of there quick.

Anyway, I voted straight ticket Dem (on an electronic voting machine), which unfortunately meant leaving a lot of races blank as for some reason, the damn Texas Dems don't put up challengers in a whole lot of races.

No apparent problem. I emphasize "apparent".

Good luck to everyone!

Peter

Edit: I should mention that, other than 1996 when I voted absentee in California because I had just moved to Hawaii 2 weeks before the election, this was the only time I voted early and not on election day.

It's odd having voted nearly two weeks ago.

Long lines and lots and lots of Kerry bumperstickers in the parking lots. :D

I was 4th in line, first to vote in my ward/district!

About 100 folks behind me when I left...

I live in democratic district, it was disappointingly light, though I've never seen it heavy ever at any election...

but I talked to the Kerry people who were outside, and they said that it was a lot heavier in the morning, and mostly Kerry people...I'm a bit worried here, because Bush came here but Kerry didn't...and it got a ton of local coverage...

I'm just about ill with anxiety, am heading out to be a poll watcher at 5pm, wont be back until 7pm when the polls close...

My wife and I voted this morning, it went smoothly with very little wait. A Poll Watcher was present as well. Everyone was very helpful and vigilant, and you could feel the veiled excitement in the room!

A Beautiful day for a Kerry win here in So. Cal!

We dropped off our son at his school first and stayed the 15 minutes on the playground watching him play before class. Next to me were six, second and third grade students filling out homemade Voter Ballots, and two first graders walking by were discussing * and Kerry!

Last week my son's first grade class voted in a mock election and Kerry won, that however did not satisfy a friend of his who kept insisting to my son that Kerry is a liar. My son decided the best way to to settle this would be a race, telling his friend "If you win, Kerry is a Liar, If I win then * is a Liar, and isn't it just too cool that my son won!

This is my first day posting on DU, having lurked here for a long time, and I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you. I have learned and grown with all the awesome Discussions, Links and Humor!! Thanks Again!

You all make me so proud to a part of DU!!

in and out in 10 minutes.

in a neighborhood made up of pre-WWII houses, on the affluent side.

I had no trouble getting in, but all the booths were full, and they had set up extra tables. People were commenting that they had never seen anything like it.

According to the tally number after I inserted my ballot into the scanner, I was voter number 863.

Then I went off to volunteer. Right now I'm on break, but I'll be going back for another shift.

Long lines but very orderly and not too long of a wait. A nice Moveon woman at the front. I shook her hand and said: "I'm on your side!" Loudly, so the Repubs nearby could hear me.

We went to our precinct at 9:00 am, and were part of a total of FIVE voters. Needless to say, we were very surprised at the exceptionally LOW turnout for Bush*, but it was early. We proudly cast 2 votes for:

The next President of the United States!!!

KE stickers on 2 cars, no BC stickers or signs which was unusual.

Right after leaving the John Kerry/Ken Salazar rally in Pueblo. I drove over to the court house, and recognized many of the people there as people I had seen at the rally.

:kick:

. . .in pretty solid blue Illinois, in St.Clair County which is Democratic. Voted straight ticket Dem. even though I have reservations about the candidate for County Board Chairman. He was my alderman and was ineffective then. Who knows, maybe he's improved. Anyway, my experience was uneventful and I didn't have to wait or stand in line. Mom didn't either when I took her to her polling place. She did say that the rumor was that there was a two and a half hour wait at one of the Belleville polling places. Pray for a BIG SWEEP!!! We need a Democratic Congress to go with the Democratic Prez.:kick:

Town is full of Kerry-Edwards signs, and American flags. Town-hall polling place was busy, but no line because it's a small town. Behind the curtain, with my ballot, I said a prayer, and cried! Every voter was given an "I voted" sticker, which, once outside, I stuck on my campaign button, which has a picture of John and John, and the words, "A Stronger America."

Voter number 674 (Polly was 676). One of the election worker told me she'd never seen turnout like this ever.
John
Mike B was 677. All three of us voted Kerry. And people were still pouring in when we left. Figure 1200-1400 in Precinct 14 alone -- 80 percent of whom are Democrats.

Walked in the door right before a group- so we didn't have to wait at all. Not a whole lot of people there! Probably because it's Plainfield, after all. No problems at all, just walked in, showed my ID, stood in a short line, and voted. Was my first time, and I feel so much better after having done it.

I waited for my kids to be out of school so they could go into the booth with me and vote the Chimp out. It felt great. Turnout is superhigh in Philly.

Went to the polls here, was the first time I ever voted in PA. Was a little confusing where to go, they didn't have signs by the doors at the school or anything. Everyone got in one line and then they told us two precincts vote there and to go to the other door if you were from 2 or 5?? We all wondered what they meant. Having brought my registration with me I saw I was a five but of course a lot of people went to the wrong one and they had to shuffle back and fourth.

I was surprised that the person telling us where to go had campaign buttons on. I thought great they will walk me right to the back door if they know I am not a repug. Anyway they open the doors at 7 AM and as we are walking in she says "take a ballot for those that want them". I thought this was really strange but grabbed one. It was a repug sample ballot. Which I didn't care too much for the lady doing this and neither did other people so they through them away right away along with me. It had all republicans on it and it was nothing but a propaganda sheet for the repugs.

Everyone got in to vote and it was a big old metal lever machine. Move a metal piece down under your candidate and pull the lever. I stood there and looked at the machine for a while before I touched anything to get my bearings as to what I needed to do down 100% before I flipped anything. After doing it I see it is quite easy but with 0 instructions I am sure some people felt a little intimidated by it if it was there first time seeing it.

All went pretty good and PA is ready to go KERRY!!!!

I can't tell you how good it felt to fill in the little oval next to KERRY with the black marker.

About 30-40 people. Steady line. Parking lot bumper stickers favored Kerry, though there was an obnoxious SUV with a "flush the Johns" sticker. Kerry may not win Kentucky, but he'll make it closer than the polls are showing.

No line at all (never have seen one in No. Ca., in my 32 years of voting).

Usually, the people tending the tables look to be retired, perhaps 70's. THIS year, two of the four people appeared late 20's/early 30's. Wonderful to see younger folks involved!

After voting, I went to the grocery store for dinner supplies. I decided to make clam chowder, because that's what President Kerry had for lunch today... one of his favorites! I will make clam chowder, salad, San Francisco sour dough FRENCH bread to watch the returns! Also plenty of Sonoma County wine!

Interesting... at the grocery store, I noticed LOTS of wine and champagne in peoples' carts. Looked like New Year's. Looks like a lot of folks are preparing to celebrate!

I'm just below SF so I KNOW you folks will have the best eats and drink and a whole lot of fun. Party on! :hi:

BAM!

...experiance. The poll workers were courteous and helpful and the electronic system worked well.

No problems.
Voted Kerry/Edwards
Barb Mikulski for Senate
Ben Cardin for House of reps.

No line. Asked the poll worker if they were having a good turn out, and she said that it has been a good day.

I was number 228, voted Optical Scan, which I like because it at least has a paper ballot.

Last night and into early this morning, I made Gingerbread cookies (anticipating long lines). I used my printer to print out 4 in. letters J & K. Since there wasn't any lines I will distribute them to my next door neighbor who has also voted for Kerry, she is an elderly woman who can't stand Cheney or Bush!

NO RETREAT NO SURRENDER!!!!

Kerry and Obama on the same day. It doesn't get any better!

I hummed the Rocky theme song as I walked to the polls from my car. :D

5/1 repug registration, but i'm trying to lower that ratio at the polls today in these parts.

i wore my red sox hat and springsteen "born to run" shirt into the polling center! and only the dem poll worker knew what i was doing and winked at me when i tugged my hat at her!

also, i brought fried chicken, cookies, soft drinks, apples and oranges to the poll workers, all sweet ladies who thanked me since they can not leave the center all day. i shook each of their hands and thanked them for volunteering to help democracy work.

the dem worker told me that the dem turnout was very high in the precinct.

i drove 8 people from my rural neighborhood to the polls today, all dems! they were great rides over to the polls. we know bush wins in georgia, but solidarity my friends, solidarity!



NO RETREAT! NO SURRENDER!

Today is the day we take our country back from the neo-fascists.

I live in Elbert County but I used to be a rural carrier at Jefferson, Ga (part time back in 01). I work in Athens too and I am mighty glad you are very active in helping out. We need more folks like you friend. I worked on my inlaws and they were spinning wheels trying to get to the civic center here in bowman to vote then they got on the phone to encourage more of their friends to vote today.

Everyone's pocketbook is hurting because of * and the rest of the commies.

Please GOD ...Kerry has to win!

We got there at 6:30 am, lines went smoothly, no problems.

Sarge was excited his first time voting before his college classes he wore his "I Voted" sticker proudly along with Kerry/Edwards pin!

Our spirits are high and we feel the positive energy of all The
Kerry/Edwards
Supporters out there!
Thank you for all you have done
and may we all be Blessed with a Kerry/Edwards Administration in 2005! :hi:

from one old time Duer to another (i used to be here as AJA). i miss the shuttle pix you used to use in 2002. hope all is well, and you too have been a shoulder to lean on during these troubled times.

peace, gal.

Around 11:30AM. A little bit strange:

1. I went to my usual polling place -- a school, but it's under construction so there was no voting there, and no signage for the other place.

2. I went to the community hall across the street, which is also a polling place, but it turned out my precinct didn't vote there either. They sent me to...

3. A church (no longer separated from the state, I guess), where there were no lines, but you had to make your way past the church bake sale to get in.

I suppose if I read my local town paper I would have known where my precinct moved, so I wouldn't call this an official voting problem, and, anyway, it was great to finally be able to vote for Kerry.

hehe, I stayed up all night and voted. Then stayed up until about 10:30am because I was too excited to sleep.

lol I am a dork.


TWL

I live in a heavy republican area and the line was long. Got there at 6:455 and walked out at 8:30. One thing I did notice was the only other Dem on my street was there. Went back by this afternoon and the place was empty. On the other hand, the precinct near my school, which is a predominately minority area was still PACKED at 3 pm with about a 2 hour wait.

*Double Post*

Kerry will win WA by 8-10%!

I voted in Arlington VA at 6 this a.m. And I tell you what, as people have already indicated, I have never seen so many people at the poll this early in the morning. Usually its like 5 or 6 in front of me. This morning there were about 40+ in front of me with more like me walking into line. 20 minutes later - done. On my way back out, there was easily about 300+ people already. My wife came an hour later and emailed me that she waited in line for 2 hours. I feel like VA will go blue or at least have the greatest chance this election year. Throughout the year, I've seen so many dem volunteers it was amazing.

I have never had to wait in line to vote. I always walk up to an empty table, give them my name, get my ballot, vote, turn in my ballot. Five minutes tops.

Today I had to wait 20 minutes to get my ballot and 10 minutes to turn in my ballot. Turn out was huge. The best we can hope for in Idaho is to send a message by turning out an unprecedented vote for Kerry.

Thanks for the report. I have relatives living there; they are republicans though...so, GO IDAHO KERRY VOTERS! :D

The boundaries are a little hazy. Arrived at polling place a little after 9AM. I noticed there were many more little signs with arrows that directed one to the polling place than there were during the primaries.

Two women were at the sign in desks. I wish I had asked if they had been very busy. They both acted harried, as though they had been busy, although when I got there only 2 of the 7 voting stations were occupied.

No poll watchers. This was mostly liberal Santa Cruz County and I doubt Republican poll watchers would have been tolerated.

I did wonder about the presence of a pencil in the voting booth when the marking pen was what you were instructed to use on the optical scan ballots. I mentioned this to the poll worker who shrugged and said she didn't get it either, but they were told to have a pencil in each booth. My concern was that people would mark the ballot with the pencil instead of the pen. I called the 866-myvote1 number and I was reassured either marker would work and I was told that the poll workers were informed that either marking would work. I had never used the optical scan ballot before so I didn't know and it was the first time this precinct's polling place was using it.

That's it, from Watsonville.

we had both pencil and marker in booth too. Hello neighbor!! :D

There were two poll-watcher-types at the Wilmar voting station, but I think they were BOTH Democrats.

Also voted Green in races where there was no Republican running (couple of County offices).

Won't be surprised if Bush finishes third place behind Cobb in my precinct. :)

Voted in the little Catholic church up the street, and my French husband came with me, to celebrate and give support. No problems.

at 11am. No long lines (I live in a small town), no "challengers", since most people know each other, no problems at the polling place, and NOT A SINGLE B/C sign in anywhere in sight.

The rain let up as I left school. My school is a polling place and they had huge lines all day. My polling place was not nearly as busy, but it never is.

A milestone was reached for me this year: this is the first year I voted straight-ticket Democrat. I had held on to my Independent title until the bitter end, but no more. It sure made voting faster!

It's almost party time!

:party: :toast: :bounce:

about a 30 minute wait in pouring rain, but VERY exciting. 22 year old daughter voted for the 1st time today and she was really thrilled about voting too.

I finally have the AVATAR!

There is a polling place right at TSU (my precinct). I had to wait in line for an hour! I happily voted for Kerry and the rest of the Dem slate, but I didn't punch the straight ticket option because I wanted the pleasure of firing each repuke individually.:)

We use punch cards here; not only did I check for chad mayhem, but I also looked up each candidate and compared my ballot to the numbers that the little booklet thingie gave to the candidates.

This precinct is probably 40 percent fundie and 60 percent Kerry. I saw quite a few dems I know in line but none of the fundies that I know.:bounce:

I would love if Missouri gave Kerry a nice little unexpected present---its 11 electoral votes!:bounce::bounce::bounce:

Just can't find the words to say how I feel that my boy voted fore Kerry !!!!!!!!!

I voted during my lunch break just before noon. I walked over to a school near my house to vote. I didn't have to wait in line which was way cool.

Now I await the official announcement: "Our new president is John Kerry."

- And there was much rejoicing... :party:

In OC (CA), half a million people voted absentee.

Went in, they asked for my name, they asked if I had ID (WTF!!!!!????!!! isn't that fucking illegal or something!) Didn't make me show ID (Phew). Then she at first couldn't find my name (Bernstein) so I was all like, oh my god was I punted! I shouldn't be touched I registered non-partisan! Finally found my name (she should not have been looking in the BO section). Went up to the old lady to sign in, asked if it was my first time voting, said no I've been doing this for a while (at 24). Finally let me sign in. Had my nice list of props out filled out in record time thanks to my cheat sheet and dropped my slip of paper in the box. All in all, once I got past their incompetance it was smooth sailing.

GO KERRY! I'm all pumped up and ready to celebrate tommorrow!

and it felt especially gratifying voting against Hastert the Pig.

I am exhausted from standing all day at the polls....

I am on "break" now....

At school she voted for Kerry (Bush won, and I'm so proud of her that she voted for Kerry even though all her friends were voting for Bush), and then I took her to my polling place and let her do it all.

Very happy to vote against Bush AGAIN.

got me one of them "voted" avatars

:headbang:

It gave me a boneur. :loveya:

I waited 4 F'ing years for that damn vote! Not that it made that much of a difference here in Oklahoma. But MAN, did that feel good!

it was smooth sailing - ink-a-vote method at local jr. high school where there were no lines. (it's funny, but I actually WANTED to see a line).

I think we've done it!

I'm in Glens Falls New York, voted with my sister and mother all democrat.

I was in and out in less than 5 minutes. No long lines in my precinct.

I got to the voting precinct at around 9:15. It was a sunny morning, fall colors are at peak – my precinct is at a public park, just wonderful-- great day to vote. I hear that my area is Republican, but I really don’t know for sure.

The lines were very long, about twice as long as they were in 2000. People said that the wait was about 2 hours around 8:00am. At any rate, the lines moved at a steady rate and I was out of there at about 10:15, so it took me about an hour. Then on my way to work I passed by 2 other voting places and they were just as crowded.

My friends, I feel good today –little tired because I was up till 2:30 reading messages on this great forum– because I feel that I voted against corporate greed, against the patriot act, against war, against Halliburton and against outsourcing jobs. Most importantly I voted for a better America.

Good Luck Kerry and good luck to us all.

:kick:

It took about 10 minutes.

Voted absentee in Brewer, ME, and found out that 800+ others did, too, out of 7500 registered voters. HUGE. They were opening the ballots when I visited polling site for whole city with my wife who was there to vote on NOV2. LOTS of people voting - going quickly.

Early had poll-watched in Bradley, Maine, from 8A to 1P. 275 registered voters and 25 new voters registering and voting. 160 of the 275 registered were on our Dem & Unaffiliated list - so that's a 60% turnout probably for K/E. Any folks still on our list will be called/visited by our flushers later, before polls close.

Nice folks manning the polls for the town of Bradley - made it easy for us to collect the voter's names.

Did have a Repuke elected official in Brewer claim that my K/E sticker button was 'bigger than 3 inches' the limit for any 'partisan' paraphanalia on voters and said I should remove it. I said it was only three inches and, heck, I was in the outflow side of the auditorium talking with the voter registrar. So I left, after finishing my conversation with my above official and drove home. Did take a ruler to it and IT WAS ONLY THREE INCHES.

Maybe the poor little dick has 'Kerry envy'!?

No lines, no waits, no hassles. We use punchcards here; I checked mine to confirm I'd punched the right hole for K/E, then turned it in.

One more drop in the tidal wave for Kerry! :D

I just walked a mile to the booths in the biggest downpour we've seen this fall. Normally I'd have voted via mail, but there was an address error on my registration, so I had to go down and do it myself. But it was cool because I got to vote in a big old turn-of-the-century courthouse. Feels real good. And my black hoodie is soaking wet.

I went early this morning with Ma (buddyhollysghost, for those who don't know), my brother, and my brother's friend. This is a tiny community (we have two voting booths at our polling place--yes, two). We didn't expect a line at all, but there were about 20 people in front of us. That may not sound like much, but it's a heck of a lot around here, especially at 8:00 in the morning.

Everybody knows everybody, and this old guy in front of me got into a conversation with the woman behind me, talking about how some people wanted to do away with the electoral college. He said that that would "help all them Mexicans and blacks get the person they wanted in there." I was seething inside, but I didn't want anything to get in the way of my voting, so I just held my tongue. Besides, if you look on a map of the 2000 election, you see a bunch of purplish red counties, with one solid blue county smack dab in the center. That's us. There's no way the mountain folks up here will go for Bush, so I wasn't worried about it.

After standing in line for about ten minutes, I finally got my ballot (touchscreens? Ha! Did I mention we have two voting booths?) Never having used a punchcard before, it took me a second to figure it out, but I carefully punched the holes for the dem candidates. I was done...but they didn't have any "I Voted" stickers! I really wanted that sticker, too. :grr:

Oh well, I guess my DU avatar will have to do. :7 :kick:

Which I decorated in white paint pen. I used some of the words to mosh, and even went so far as to put on the back that it was a protest thing. After I got home, I wrote down one sleeve Kerry 2004, since the poll places here are instructed to make anyone wearing anything for either party off. I just went to get my paycheck, and although there were two crowds of * supporters, I got out of my van, and stood with the Kerry people for a few minutes. They loved the shirt, some of them recognized the lyrics I scrawled out and with that I got back into my Vehicle and Departed, But not before screaming at the * people, KERRY FOR PRESIDENT! Plant a Shrub back in TX! and my departing shot was "Nurses For Kerry!" This is right near a hospital, and since I am a Member of that organization as well, it fit. I am a Nurse, and I approved John Kerry.

Just voted in Leominster,Massachusetts. Exceptional turnout according to the poll workers.

but everyone says the lines were really long this morning, and will probably be soon as people get off of work. My husband took F911 to work, and (ahem) a few of his co-workers watched it, and one took it home with her to show her husband. Also...my neighbor that I've been working on for over a year...voted KERRY! She said Clinton convinced her--times were good when he was prez. Her husband, however, is a lost cause! Arlington is always blue...I hope voter turnout is massive!

A guy with the Communications Workers of America and I slapped hands at the curb when we realized we were both voting straight Democratic! It felt good!

I went into the polls with my shirt that says "if you aren't completely appalled, then you haven't been paying attention! The Republican challenger took one look at it and started trying to find me on his list of people to challenge. He didn't find me and I asked him, "do have something to say to me". He just glared it was soooo much fun

I have local news on TV - indicating that my town across the river from Bangor - Brewer, ME - had folks waiting at 6AM to vote when poles open at 7AM

Also said our Secretary of State predicts RECORD VOTER TURNOUT. We ususally have pretty good turnout, so this will be something!

Finally, town of Orrington, down the river, had 75 cars parked in town office parking lot before voting started at 7AM! This burg is not THAT big (3500) and they are KICKING DOWN THE DOORS!

KERRY IN A LANDSLIDE

Voted in Freedom which is right near Watsonville, which is a mostly agricultural town in California. There were two tables, for different sections of town, and there were a few at one table but nobody at the other, and fortunately for me I was the only one at the other (but that was strange since I live in a fairly densely populated area of town). They didn't want ID or anything, they just looked me up and I signed and voted. Paper ballots here, so that was a relief. I was so relieved after I voted that I left my sample ballot in the voting booth, but someone said something so I've still got that. Everyone was friendly. There was a slightly bigger turnout than I've seen at other elections, but it wasn't all that crowded and there were plenty of empty voting booths (although only one wheelchair-accessible one, which I seemed to be the only one using).

:toast:

Look at post #53. I live near you. Near Corralitos.:hi:

at 11:18AM. I had no problem and no wait even though there was a steady stream of people coming in. I voted straight Democrat.

As did most of my fellow citizens, of that I'm sure. Uneventful but disconcerting as I pushed the button and the screen said: Thanks for voting. Hey, I don't need some damn machine gratuitously saying thanks!

Next time, if I have anything to say about it, I will be voting on a piece of paper, thank you very much.

Oh, BTW, It looks like we got those B*sh Bastards, eh?

Long line, no problems voting. I wore my black hoodie but probably lost on the others in the line. A good day to be riding a bike - I didn't have to park a long ways away and walk in, just ride my bike up to the door and secure it outside. It was a beautiful day this morning and the sun is still shining brightly.

Last night I had a dream that Clinton won - that's got to be a good sign, right?

Far edge of suburbia. No line, no challengers. Bet it's not like this in Phoenix.

myself, and my 2 daughters. I just got off the phone with my oldest daughter and she gave me some more good news. Apparently my sister-in-law and brother-in-law are closet democrats. She also told my daughter that my hubby's aunt and uncle are voting dem this year. I'm sooo excited. You see I am married to a republican who has 9 siblings (+ thier spouses). They are *supporters and this has been very hard for me.

I voted early last week here in NC. I work upstairs from the early polling location, so it was very convenient. Also, NC's early voting is still on paper, which I preferred over the touch screens. It felt really good to hear and feel the punch go through the hole for JFK/JE, then check the ballot for all holes being punched clearly (no hanging chads here!), and then feed it into the box. Let's hope it gets counted, and while I'm hoping, I'll root for a surprise Dem victory in NC!!!

Early voting turnout was quite robust, with the parking lot filled up for most of the two weeks that early voting was open. But I do have to say that it's a bit of a letdown to not be able to go vote TODAY, when all the excitment is happening. Well, I'll wait for the returns for the excitement...

This is my first DU post btw. Been a lurker for too long. Cheers to y'all.

-rb

Cold, wet and lonely. voted straight ticket. Dems only out front, asking for my vote. I said, "You've already got it."

7:45 am Huntington Beach, CA.

Go Democrats!

There was a line! Never been one there before (I've been voting for 10 years here.) About a fifteen minute wait. It went smoothly.

polling places. We live in a small town, other than the serious faces here in freeperville, all was smooth.

Nothing spectacular in terms of turnout in the most right-wing area of the state here. ;-)

The polling place was busy but there wasn't much of a wait. I voted for most of the Democrats on the ballot. My local state rep is a Rethug who is running unopposed and is anti gay marriage. Since I wanted to vote for someone that is for civil rights for all, I wrote in my own name and address and voted for myself as a write-in.

- stil

Today was the most vindicated I have felt in the last four years. Today we are taking back our country. I am proud to participate in the process.

Go Kerry!

Incredible turnout. Arrived at 5:30A, waited 1 1/2 hours to vote.

It's ours, baby!!!!! :kick:

I voted at 7 a.m. in California. There were far more people in line than usual. A very old man walked by and said "Guess we are all here to get rid of that Bush!" Everyone laughed. I have not seen that happen before where the folks in line to vote are laughing at a candidate!

I was actually kind of emotional about it. I think that this is the most important vote of my adult life (I'm 42 now). I did this for my 10 year-old's future...voting has never had as much meaning for me as it did today.

Ann Arbor

Tried at 6:15 am but the line was too long(in the rain). Gotta love those OH's who were getting a deluge today. True patriots.

Kerry won my vote!

I can't say how truly proud I am of all of you!! :-)

Well! I couldn't sleep worth a darn last night, and that was with an extra dose of "anti-anxiety" medication. I have been a total wreck for the last two to three months. I usually swim 5 miles a week, work out frequently in the local sports spa, etc. I mean I stay in pretty good shape. All I have been doing for the last 2-3 months is coming home, drinking beer, smoking cigarettes, drinking more beer, switching from news channel to news channel, drinking more beer, smoking more cigarettes, checking out posts on DU, contributing to posts on DU, drinking more beer, changing channels on the tube, reading more posts on DU; BOY, what an endless cycle of insanity! :crazy:

Today, I checked out DU around 5:00 AM (EST). I wanted to vote before I was to arrive at work at 8 AM. I couldn't remember what time the local polling place opened. I live in Vermont and the "start" times legally have a window of time for "opening". I live in an apartment above my landlord. He and his wife are very civic minded. As I was checking out various threads on DU, my landlord's car quickly exited the driveway. I knew where they were going. Both of them were going to the local polling place to participate as "election workers". I had rushed out prior to them starting their car, but, I was too late. So, I researched the web and found out what time the local polling place would open its doors - 7 AM!

I don't really have a very unique story to tell, but, I have never felt so wonderful about casting my vote (KERRY-EDWARDS of course) as I did this morning.

I arrived at my polling station at about 7:20 AM. There was a gentleman who explained the aspects of filling out my ballot. I had one question that this man didn't understand. Voila, my "landlord" stepped in and explained the answer more adequately. Then, I went to the back of the line for the "last named" people of "P THROUGH Z". I started talking to a man who I knew was going for Kerry, but, you aren't supposed to be politicking at the polling station, so, we both kept our conversation rather "coded"! Eventually, I arrived at the desk where my name was to be crossed off the list as I voted. It was my "landlord's" wife. Of course she "had" to ask me what my name was; it was part of her job, even though I have been living above them for 9 years. Vermonters tend to be very adherent to the rules. I received my ballot from a nice lady at the next desk and proceeded to the "BOOTH"!! I had to concentrate so hard to insure that the "oblong" circles were appropriately marked next to the candidates for whom I was voting. I double and triple checked everything. Then I went to the machine that would "optically" scan my vote. YES! I could do no more! I knew I was going to have "rotten" day a work, but, it was OK! I had voted for Kerry, I had voted for Clavelle for Governor, I had voted for Leahy for Senator, I had voted for "Bernie" Sanders for congress, I had voted for various candidates that I have supported, and, I felt GREAT!


:party: I feel really confident for Kerry, I have done my best, and I know that many others have done much more. We all do what we can!

:-)

I was sooooooo excited to exercise my franchise. I walked/rode right in on my scooter. No lines (a little bummed at that)so I didn't wait.

I asked the poll workers if there were more folks out this time than last...they said a few, yes. That the morning and evening crowd is where it gets hectic.

I live in a blue state in a small town...perhaps other areas in state were more swamped. I guess it's a mixed blessing; I DIDN'T have to wait for hours which translates to everyone who will vote can vote before polls close. On the other hand, I was disappointed that it wasn't swamped with people eager to vote. A little let down too because I wanted to whoop it up with folks waiting in line. ;)

Anyway...........good luck to everyone else and HAPPY ELECTION DAY!

in my precinct in Seattle.

No lines, but paper ballots were used so there was no shortage of "machines" (ink pens). Twice the usual number of privacy stands, all of them filled (few or none voting at the same time has been par in the past). I and the person after me had to wait briefly, but they had also had brought in a desk with a couple of chairs for additional people. This bodes well for state and local elections as well, since this is McDermott's district and Kerry signs beat Chimp's by about 10-1.

around 4:00pm with my kids so they could participate in the kids vote and get extra credit for social studies--lots of people with the after work crowd starting to flood in I was #1328 in my precinct.
No challengers, No ID, Lots of Blue Shirts--Easy.

Always a quiet precinct for voting, but it was exciting to actually see people walking through the neighborhood clutching sample ballot booklets.