WTF - voting lines in America

[CincyDem]

I watch all these lines in Florida and all I can think is "This is freaking America". We freaking go to war and Americans die so people in other countries have the opportunity to participate in free and open elections. F*ck nation building...how about building a few free and open elections at home.

At what point are we going to have an AG that steps in and says "excuse me Mr. Gov'nor...we some laws that you've been breaking...how about you and I step into my office and we talk a little about that."

[EmptyChair86]

1. Elections are managed by the States

The federal gov't does not manage elections. This is the responsibility of the state government. Only select states require review of Election Laws by the Federal Government and those laws are reviewed directly by the USSC.

[mzmolly]

14. True. Though, we need national, standardized laws for

national elections, IMHO.

[SLCLiberal]

16. This is a good example

of what the Republicans mean when they say "Hand it over to the states" huh?

[sammytko]

2. Also not all the regular polling places are open for early voting. It's limited

In my small county in tx, there is only one place to early vote. On Tuesday, there will be three places in just my small town of 3000.

[brooklynite]

3. Before getting too worked up...

...a point that's been raised is that, unlike Election day where people go to to a local precinct, early voting is usually at only one County location, so far more people are going to show up in the same location, and therefore the lines are going to be longer.

[CreekDog]

4. look, let's stop defending this bullshit

the lines are too long, the rules are too differentiated in too many states and too hard to follow in many others.

some states like New York and Pennsylvania have antiquated rules about voting early that precludes almost everyone from doing so.

many states, almost half have no guarantees that one's electors will vote the way the state's voters have.

and the Electoral College is bullshit that says that the states, not the voters count --and the voters' say in that decision depends on what state they reside in.

it's bullshit and it's not working.

obviously, no big changes should be made for this election because we are already there.

but in the future? this nonsense has got to stop or else other countries are going to seriously wonder if we've given up on democracy.

[SoapBox]

6. Ditto!!!

I'm sick and tired of all this "state's rights" bullshit.

We ARE The United States of America. NOT fifty separate little fifedoms!

We have the Right to Vote...period. And the Freaks cannot put up road blocks.

[ffr]

11. K&R

[TroyD]

5. It's one of the most underreported issues in America

I don't think voters in other Western countries wait this long to vote.

It's a big problem, and it's WRONG.

[mucifer]

7. weirdly enough there were 4 hour lines in the last day of early voting here in...

Chicago. I kid you not my friend was in line for 5 hours.

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/11/03/huge-crowd-of-voters-lines-up-for-last-day-of-early-voting/

[goblue316]

8. I have been happy to see so many people early voting,

but I hope the long lines don't discourage anyone from voting. There is election day. I am one who decided to vote on election day, because it is like a holiday for me. If you know someone who walked away from a long line encourage them to go back and vote on election day.

[savebigbird]

9. I wonder...

...if it's ok to bring music to wait in line to vote. I smell a flashmob in the works.

J/K...or am I?

No really, if I show up on Tuesday and there's a really long line, I'm going to be VERY ANGRY. There is no excuse where I'm from for that. I voted in another nearby polling location both two and four years ago and during both, waiting and voting was super quick - in and out in about 10 minutes. If it is different where I am now, I'll be HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS.

[Codeine]

10. Why on Earth did everyone suddenly decide they need to vote early?

I'm sure there are some people who simply cannot vote on Tuesday, but the vast, vast majority can - and historically have - managed to vote on Election Day.

[fujiyama]

13. I wouldn't call 58% a "vast majority"

It's a majority, but among developed nations it's not at all impressive.

I don't understand why anyone on the left or the right would oppose early voting or voting in many forms (like by mail as they have it in OR). Increasing turnout and participation should be the goal of all politicians.

But of course any form or venue for broader participation is opposed by republicans, because that means more "undesirables" voting - a clear threat to them.

As for early voting and it's increased popularity, it's possible many standing in line simply cannot afford to take hours off in the middle of the week. It's not as though most businesses will compensate you for the time spent voting.

[InsultComicDog]

12. We don't have early voting in PA

other than absentee-with-an-excuse.

But I never remember anything like the kind of problems we see in some states, even though everyone has to vote on the same day, and most people who work are voting around the same times.

The longest I have ever had to wait was less than an hour, and even then it was because 2 out of 3 voting machines were broken. Those machines were replaced within a year.

[fujiyama]

15. It's appalling and shameful

It makes certain states especially (like surprise, Florida!) look like banana republics (actually that's probably not even accurate, I think these so called banana republics could run freer and fairer elections than some states).

As long as elections are conducted at the whim of corrupt partisan state officials, nothing will change. The GOP will always go all out in trying to suppress the vote of minorities, urban residents, and well basically anyone that doesn't fit their mold of the ideal voter.