GO OUT AND VOTE!

Ginny · Post by **Ginny** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 1:08 pm

Just a reminder for any of you that did not do early voting, to vote on Tuesday!

Post by **tex** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 1:28 pm

I took care of that last week, in order to avoid the last-minute rush.

Thanks.

Tex

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 3:03 pm

I agree this is an exceptionally important election cycle.

--Joe

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 3:22 pm

Did absentee ballot already since I knew I wouldn't be back in Pa. in time.

Love, Shirley

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 3:55 pm

I voted over the weekend. There were several important initiatives here in WA state, so it really took some study this year. When I stuck my ballot in the mailbox at the post office, the box was so stuffed that it stayed in the chute. So I grabbed what I could feel and stuck everything in the next mailbox. I think I grabbed at least one other person's ballot and re-mailed it. Maybe that was a federal offense? Too late...

natythingycolbery · Post by **natythingycolbery** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 4:28 pm

What you all voting for? (I'm being nosey!)

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 5:35 pm

It's the mid-term (mid Presidential term) elections. Representatives have a two-year term, so all the house seats are being voted on. Senators have six-year terms, so about a third of them are being voted on this year.

Many states have referendums, or initiatives that are also being voted on. These (in some states like WA, my state) are added to the ballot because there were enough signatures collected to put them on there. Signatures are collected by people standing outside stores or libraries, or other places with a lot of pedestrian traffic.

Post by **tex** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 7:49 pm

Also, many state offices are up for grabs - Governors, Lt. Governors, Attorneys General, state legislators, etc., and local, (county), referendums and initiatives, etc.

Tex

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 9:43 pm

Some commentators have said this is the most important election we've ever had. I tend to agree. We need to reverse the course that we're on.

Gloria

natythingycolbery · Post by **natythingycolbery** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 4:35 am

Wow sounds like you are voting for a lot over there!

The UK has a lot less elections.

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 5:08 am

Since I now start work so early to get in my 10-hour days (4 days a week and a real blessing it is not 5) I am no longer the first person in line at the polls. I will go after work and probably have to stand in line but I feel this is one of the most important elections in my lifetime. Going forward on the voting front I am going to do absentee ballot like most of the retirees in my neighborhood do.

We have to turn the tide that is happening in Washington.

Love, Maggie - Who has never not voted in an election.

Post by **tex** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 10:05 am

Naty wrote:Wow sounds like you are voting for a lot over there!

And to top it all off, California has an initiative on the ballot to legalize marijuana.

Tex

Post by **Rosie** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 10:17 am

And to top it all off, California has an initiative on the ballot to legalize marijuana.

And California must be contagious, because Oregon is one step behind and has a ballot initiative to set up medical marijuana clinics all over Oregon like is currently done in California. Right now you can easily get a "Medical Marijuana" card entitling you to grow small amounts for personal use.......but most potheads don't the mental capacity to do something as complicated as growing their own, so want to be able to just buy it! I don't think it will pass here........

Rosie

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 4:01 pm

all i can think of is the simpsons episode where homer goes to vote on the electronic machine.....

are the mid term elections electronic or paper based?

Naty - the UK govt voting system and timings is almost identical to australia (as you are our 'mother country' we followed your lead)

to understand the american political system if you watch the tv series 'west wing' from series 1 till the end you get insight (with humour) into the american system.
(i watched all the episodes in order, when i was home sick for a week...)

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 5:04 pm

It depends on the state whether ballots are electronic, punch out, or mail-in paper ballots, whether colored in at the polling place or mailed in. Washington state recently went from the punch out variety (famous for hanging chads) to mail-in ballots. I miss the camaraderie of standing in line to vote, and those sweet old ladies from the League of Women Voters. Although nowadays, it seems like there is less camaraderie and more anger, and even the members of the League of Women Voters have changed for the worse.