My wife and I just voted in suburban Philly, PA. Mostly good news.
A few years ago the registration was 4 to 1 Republican. Now Democrats outnumber Republicans.
About 1000 voters are on their book. Two machines, which doesn't seem like enough, but the Democratic poll watches said it will be fine.
They had a table setup with many Democratic flyers and were handing everybody 'Vote 11 for straight Democratic Vote flyers.' There was one lone GOPer there, no table handing out a similar flyer. Most were refusing his handout.
Inside there was a little official looking print on the church's bulletin board. It looked old and said you need photo ID, which is incorrect here in PA. I ripped it down. Inside they are preparing. They still trying to figure out the rules. Half seemed to know what's what. Half did not.
They started letting us in.
I had a momentary trouble when the woman checking us in asked me for photo ID, because I was a first time at that polling place voter. I corrected her and said I only need an electric bill or such (which I did). She kept reading the line next to my name as 'Most Show Photo ID.' What it actually said was 'Must Show ID.' She did this three times. The Poll judge came over and corrected her and...
I DID NOT HAVE TO SHOW PHOTO ID.
I thanked him and he said, next vote I will have to have photo ID. I said 'we'll see.'
The voting booth was a pleasure. No more Diebold like we had in Georgia. And I was able to vote straight Democratic.
I hit the button, all of the Democrats lit up, I hit submit and I was done.
Very fun. Fuck you, Diebold.
I called the county Dems to report what had happen. If you have even a little trouble, or see trouble. Call. At the least, they are collecting data to fight future voter suppression.
= new reply since forum marked as read
And fuck you, Diebold!
(and actually promoting photo ID "next time"
Thanx for the story. Those of us not experiencing this need to be aware.
(Just past what I consider to be "Philly 'burbs'" and a wee bit close to the edge of nowhere, but I digress.)
I was not required to show ID and therefore I did not. (Though many folks did.)
When I got to the front I gave them my name and they even said "You don't have to show ID, we are just supposed to make you aware that next time you will need it, so hopefully you do have ID?"
I said, "Yep, multiple forms."
She smiled and said "Great" and that was it.
Waiting in line for an hour and voted on a good old fashioned paper ballot.
