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Confession time: How many haven't voted, even though you can?

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Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion: Presidential (Through Nov 2009) Donate to DU
 
Courtesy Flush Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 04:55 PM
Original message
Confession time: How many haven't voted, even though you can?
I'm hoping for low numbers on this! I voted on the very first day. In fact I would have been the very first person in my state to vote, but my supervisor called an impromptu and totally pointless meeting, making me vote over an hour after the polls first opened.

So let's have it. Anybody not voted yet? What's your excuse?
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Left Is Write Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 04:56 PM
Response to Original message
1. Excuse? Do I need an excuse to vote on Election Day?
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Elle1993 Donating Member (56 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 04:57 PM
Response to Original message
2. Voting on monday!
I have to admit though,the last time I voted was for gore in '00 and Clinton in '96.
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Tansy_Gold Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 04:58 PM
Response to Original message
3. I want to go to the polling place and mark my ballot in public
I've too often had mail stolen from my mailbox so having a ballot mailed to my home is risky in the first place, but for me there's a special ceremony involved in going to the polling place, waiting in line if need be, and then putting my ballot through the optical scanner.

It's just the way I do it.


Tansy Gold, who will do it again on November 4
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Courtesy Flush Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:00 PM
Response to Reply #3
8. OK, your system is different
In my state early voting is done at the courthouse on the same machines they use on election day. And no, that doesn't fill me with confidence.
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CreekDog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:26 PM
Response to Reply #3
26. i vote by mail and the county website shows when they receive my ballot
so there's no doubt.

if my ballot never gets to me (never happened yet), i can ask for another ballot or vote in person if necessary.

i vote early so that the campaign doesn't have to waste energy trying to turn me out to vote and can focus on other voters who might not turn out.

i started voting earlier due to the length of the ballots in California. it's easier to complete them over a period of days than to do it in the booth.

:hi:
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crankychatter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 04:58 PM
Response to Original message
4. My absentee ballot is completed and sitting on my monitor, minus a stamp
The county I'm registered in, ALMOST gave Rossi the damn governor's office in 2004... they were ALL electronic voting...

NOW, it's all paper, verifiable, mail in, Oregon style

I AM SO SAVORING THIS
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cbayer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 04:58 PM
Response to Original message
5. I want to walk in the poll and pull the lever, and there won't be an actual location until the 4th.
I take great pride and feel really good when I walk into a polling place.

Also, I had a lot of trouble registering due to not having a physical address and I didn't want to take the chance of having an absentee ballot rejected.

Does that make me bad? :shrug:
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NYC_SKP Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 04:59 PM
Response to Original message
6. No excuse needed. I'll vote when I get there with a few friends in my precinct..
...who depend on me for the ride.
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Poiuyt Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 04:59 PM
Response to Original message
7. I kind of enjoy the communal gathering that takes place on election day
That said, I may still vote early. We'll see.
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Courtesy Flush Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:01 PM
Response to Reply #7
10. Um, you haven't seen the lines at the early polling places? n/t
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soothsayer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:01 PM
Response to Original message
9. since i believe absentee ballots are not counted,
I don't want to throw my vote away. so that's why.
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Courtesy Flush Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:03 PM
Response to Reply #9
12. Early voting isn't absentee
Maybe your state doesn't have true early voting. If mine didn't I'd feel the same as you. I never was comfortable with absentee votes either. I think they don't bother to count them at all unless there's a virtual draw.
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Connonym Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:15 PM
Response to Reply #12
19. in my state early voting is absentee voting n/t
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soothsayer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 06:03 PM
Response to Reply #19
35. me, too (va)
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tkmorris Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:02 PM
Response to Original message
11. I prefer to vote on Tuesday
I don't think I need an "excuse" for that, nor do I need to "confess" anything. What an odd post.
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frazzled Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:06 PM
Response to Original message
13. In a safe state, and I enjoy going to the polls on election day
I'm in Illinois, and I enjoy walking the four blocks down to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union hall to cast my vote. (Besides, our ballot has tons more than the presidential election on it, and I haven't yet had time to research the kazillion judicial retentions that will appear on our ballot, not to mention the Water Reclaimation Board, etc. I always research carefully and vote every race I can.)

So no excuse--it's a choice!
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ourbluenation Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:12 PM
Response to Reply #13
17. me too. cali girl here. waiting until the 4th. n/t
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Withywindle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:18 PM
Response to Reply #13
20. Same here - another Chicagoan, right? (Those judges! AIIEEE!)
I have a three-block walk to my polling place. There wasn't even much of a line when I went in '00 or '04, much less '06 or the primaries, though that may be different this year. Can't say I'm really worried about anyone tampering with Democratic votes here, either.

I like the ritual of it. It's part of the overall excitement of the day.
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adamuu Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:11 PM
Response to Original message
14. I suppose I could. But here in New York we have only lever machines. The entire state defies HAVA.
there's a paper trail
i don't really see the need to do early voting.

are you afraid i'm going to change my mind or something?
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Lakerstan Donating Member (599 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:11 PM
Response to Original message
15. Here's a couple of reasons to vote early...
1) The campaign has lists of people who haven't voted yet. When your name is on that list, they will continue to call you.

1a) If the campaign is calling you, that means that volunteers aren't spending time calling others who may still be undecided - that is time, money and effort wasted.

2) What if, god forbid, something happened to you or a loved one between now and election day, and you were unable to vote?
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MagickMuffin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:12 PM
Response to Original message
16. No excuse needed, I Vote on Election Day always have always will
I get to vote with a Paper Ballot on Election Day.
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Connonym Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:15 PM
Response to Original message
18. I haven't. I might still do so early but I kind of like the vibe of being in the voting booth
I don't think anyone should apologize for not voting early. I confirmed my registration so I know my vote will be counted, can you tell me why waiting until election day is a bad thing?
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HockeyMom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:20 PM
Response to Original message
21. I have the flu
but I still have to go to work until 3:30. Given the way I feel, I don't think I can stand on a line for 2 hours after working an 8 hour day. Hopefully, I will feel better in a few days.
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Hassin Bin Sober Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:23 PM
Response to Original message
22. I might change my mind......
No really, I want to cast the historic ballot, for the historic candidate, on the historic day, then break out the martini shaker and enjoy the historic evening.
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Joe the Liberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:23 PM
Response to Original message
23. Ok I confess......
I haven't voted yet but that's because I haven't gotten my mail in ballot yet, If I don't get it come election day I'm going to just have to go in person and vote. :cry:

My brother got his mail in ballot already but he has yet to fill it out and hes had it for about 2 weeks now, I'm beginning to wonder if he even cares :shrug:
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SoxFan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:25 PM
Response to Original message
24. Excuse?
I live two blocks from my polling place, I'm the ward alderman, and I've told the Obama camp I'll be there as a poll watcher etc for the day. I don't need no steeeeenkin excuse.
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IsItJustMe Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:26 PM
Response to Original message
25. Election day. It's a tradition thing for me.
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williesgirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:27 PM
Response to Original message
27. Driving folks to the polls on Election Day - will vote then too. Why is this bad?
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blaze Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:31 PM
Response to Original message
28. I really wanted to vote on Election Day
But the lines we had in Denver last time just scared me.

I love the ritual of voting. I like walking to my polling place. I like walking in the doors with my Precinct numbers on it. I like the waiting in (reasonable) line, chatting with my neighbors... The "hello" to my neighbor who is always an election judge... pulling that curtain closed behind me...

Part of me is a little sad that I already voted.

On the other hand, I like that I can check on-line and see that my (hand delivered) mail-in ballot has already been received. :)
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MadBadger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:32 PM
Response to Original message
29. I havent witnessed an election day ever.
I havent voted for President (21 years old), and I have only voted absentee while at college. This time ive registered to vote in Wisconsin and want to go on election day
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Hippo_Tron Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:33 PM
Response to Original message
30. I kind of want to vote on election day for tradition's sake
But on the other hand, I'm worried the lines might be long so I might get my ass over to early vote this week just in case.
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Occam Bandage Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:33 PM
Response to Original message
31. I don't need an excuse. I like to vote on Election Day.
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sendero Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:33 PM
Response to Original message
32. I'm voting on Tuesday..
... as far as I know, it will count the same whenever you vote :)
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TeamJordan23 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:34 PM
Response to Original message
33. I like voting on election day (also, in a really blue state).
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Hellataz Donating Member (804 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 05:37 PM
Response to Original message
34. I'm voting on Election day, it wont be an issue for me.
I live in N. Calif. and the polling place is located right next door to me, there are rarely long lines, so even if there are they wont be anything like 3-5 hours like a lot of other places. I would have voted early, but the only place to do that is 30 minutes away in the next town, where our county clerks office is located. I'd rather not waste the gas to drive that far, when come 10 more days i can simply walk right out my front door take a few steps and walk right into the election booth.
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Undercurrent Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 06:11 PM
Response to Original message
36. I already voted last week by absentee ballot.
It was a very moving, tearful experience. I waited all of my adult life for the day I could vote for a candidate like Obama. (I barely missed out on being able to vote for JFK.)
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jillan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 06:15 PM
Response to Original message
37. I'm waiting to vote until election day - on purpose.
First - I want to see my vote go into the machine (we have scanners here).
When you mail in your ballot, you never really know what happens to it after it leaves your hand.

Second - I want to be there with my eyes wide open, to offer the phone number where people can call if they have problems, to just keep an eye on things.
(unfortunately they won't let me be a poll worker because I can only work from 7-2, not all day)
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WA98296 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Oct-26-08 06:26 PM
Response to Original message
38. Waiting until Wednesday, when I can drive the ballot to the county auditor's office.
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