Reply #407: Franklin County, Ohio [View All]

[InvisibleTouch]

I voted shortly after 2, as per the great suggestion somebody made to try for off-peak hours if your schedule is flexible, as mine is. Oddly enough, we're having very similar weather here as we did during the '04 debacle - overcast and rainy, except that it's warmer today. I have too clear of a memory of standing in the freezing rain for hours, two years ago. I wasn't sure what to expect this time, and all the posts about problems and disenfranchisement were making me majorly nervous - I was geared for battle, anticipating long lines and arguements with poll workers or challengers; I had my driver's license with me as usual, but also had dug up several utility bills with my address, and several other forms of ID just in case. Also had those phone numbers handy in case of problems.

When I got to the polling place, there were maybe 20 people there, counting the poll workers. For a midterm election, that's more than I've ever seen there before, but it still wasn't exactly crowded. My name was there on the rolls of eligible voters, and my driver's license was fine as an ID (as it seemed to be for everyone else I saw, too). Voting was on a touch screen, and the poll worker who pointed me to my machine was pretty good about explaining how to use it and double-check before casting the vote. I asked if there had been any problems with the machines today, and he said no. Everything went pretty quick and smooth, and I got my cool "I Voted" sticker to put on my coat.

On the way out, I noticed one of my neighbors was there as a poll worker. She said there had been a long line in the early morning, before work hours, but then it thinned out. She too said there had been no problems with the machines, to her knowledge. Another neighbor came in as I was going out the door, and I mentioned to him that the machines were apparently doing okay. He said something to the effect that he sure hoped so, not like during the last time - which leads me to believe he's a Dem and informed about the voting issues.

Overall, a very positive experience. I told myself I wouldn't get my hopes up, but I feel good about it. Not ecstatic, not willing to pin my whole happiness upon the results, but good.