Early voting started today in my state. I voted at 9:00 sharp. Has anyone else cast their ballot yet?
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Early voting started today in my state. I voted at 9:00 sharp. Has anyone else cast their ballot yet?
Not yet but thinking about it.
Why wait for the pomp and circumstance if you know?
I totally agree, I don't want to wait in lines for hours on the 4th. Just do it is my motto.
I was out in the community today giving flu shots when one of the women from the voting commission walked in to get her shot. I followed her right over to the booths and did the deed. Done... Now I have the right to complain, if I have to, about what is being done in Washington.
I don't believe early voting is a good idea. 3 weeks is a lifetime in politics and a lot can happen . Once a ballot is cast it is permanent .
Three weeks in a political process that been going on for many months.
If I've researched each candidate and found a "best match", why wait?
For last minute "dirt" to be dug up? To see if someone dies of a heart attack between now and then?
I don't think voting 3 months out is probably a good idea... but now, a couple of dozen days away from the last chance to choose, I see no issue.
Then again, those who voted early in florida's nomination process, before candidates dropped out like flies all of a sudden, felt their vote was wasted... so maybe I don't know what the hell I'm talking about.
Wouldn't be the first, or last, time.
Despite people here being junkies ;most Americans don't follow the elections seriously at all until the Party conventions.
The other issue is that Election day was set by Congress as the 1st Tues. in Nov. I am frankly surprised that these early voting days even comply with federal law. But I will do more research on it. My guess is the legal rational is states rights to conduct elections.
I think there are going to be a lot of legal challenges in this election cycle anyway .
Thanks J_9 on the early voting reminder. With my busy schedule it does work out best for my family.
I voted last week... absentee ballot, because I'm handicapped. Those ballots come out a month ahead of election day.
I voted for CHANGE. :)
OBAMA... Oh happy day when my friend mailed my ballot.
Well, I understand the potential for abuse with "no excuse" early voting... but certainly sympathize with the availability for at least those "in need"... those overseas, in the military, the shut in, those with religious conflicts, etc...
If a man knows he is scheduled for surgery on election day should he be denied the ability to elect?
I don't think three weeks out is grossly too far or too close. My partner has gone on overseas business trips for a couple of weeks at a time... less than 10 days out and id get nervous.
I am scheduled to work a 24 hour shift on the 4th. So, to get my vote in I had to do it on a day I was either off or near enough to the polls to cast my vote.
Good for you J_9... I hope we have a huge turnout this year.
Tom,
It's not about events, it's about character and vision for a better future.
Sounds like you're hoping for an attack on America. TSK TSK!!
Choux considering that McCain was according to polls at least taking the lead before the current economic problems... and the glee you have shown over it, I assumed that you were the hold out for "events" to change the dynamics.
J9 would a national holiday on election day change your perspective ?
Sorry but inconvenience does not rank high in my calculation when it comes to the honor of casting my ballot. I watch people in other countries die for the right. I am not opposed to absentee balloting ;but early voting as a concession to convenience is a bit much.
Early voting in states like Virginia and South Dakota began before even one debate between the candidates occurred. Yeah events do matter.
Candidates react differently under the pressure, and events can change the whole context of the election. Many ballots were cast before the week of the bailout when both campaigns were put to the test . Many people for right or wrong have gaged the ability of the candidates to lead based on that week.
From a particularly partisan view I know for a fact that Obama was a poor closer in the primaries and did not poll so well with voters who decided at the last minute. But that calculation could go both ways.
Of course participation is good, but it is not the only goal of politics. If it were, we could easily guarantee a an almost universal turnout by mandating it like some nations do .
It could easily lead to a corruption of the vote. Secret ballots are not so secret when they are accompanied by a name of the voter along with their selection. An Obama supporter linked to the practice of " caging voters" (sending out fradulent absentee ballots to likely supporters of the opposition... ballots to be challenged later ). I know this has been a problem in the past .Imagine the nightmare when a quarter of the population have filed paper ballots in this manner. Early ballots come in and are held in partisan local election officials’ offices for days, weeks or months, without round-the-clock supervision, and opportunities for the destruction, alteration of some ballots are greater .Think the chaos of Florida 2000 and multiply it by 50 .
We know that ACORN is up to it's eyeballs with fraudulent voter registration across the country. With early voting it is possible for them to register someone and escort them to the polling place and then repeat the process. IN NY one voter claimed ACORN registered him over 70 times.
Finally my research shows that various courts have upheld the constitutionality of the early ballot. Language in the constitution refers to the vote of the Electors .
Unfortunately, the hospital does not close for national holidays, we are open 24/7/365. I would have preferred to wait until at LEAST after the debates tonight, but I do have to put food in the mouths of my children. I was actually hoping to take my children with me, as I do every year, however, the timing today was so that I had to take advantage of it when the opportunity arose. It's not that I just wanted to get it out of the way, but the life of a labor and delivery nurse is ever changing with being on call, etc. You never know when you will be working even if you are or are not on the schedule.Quote:
Originally Posted by tomder55
Oh, and Tom, it's not a matter of convenience or not for me... It's a matter of taking the time to vote. If I did not do it today, there is a risk I would not have been able to do it at all as my schedule is ever changing.
Hey, at least I voted! I didn't take the easy way out and just leave it to the hands of others. Now I have earned the right to complain if Hussein wins.
In your case where you provide an essential health care service ,and in Choux's due to her health , for the military ,and for many other reasons absentee balloting makes sense. I just don't think the process should be encourged for the reasons I have stated .
I don't disagree with you at all Tom... At the least if they MUST do early voting, wait until the final debates are open. How many people may feel they made the wrong choice after tonight?
It just chaps me though that the girl who was backing me up today told me to go on and vote, she would take my pager, then went on to smile and say she was not even registered to vote. In the same breath she complained that her husband had his voting rights taken away when he was convicted of a felony. What is wrong with some of these people these days?
Hello:
ACORN says, vote early, and vote often.
excon
Yup
Did you hear McCain last night at Al Smith banquet?
He said that he did not mind Mickey Mouse being registered because they were checking his paw prints;and because that big rat is probably a Repubican .
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