Vote today!

[MODU]

It took me 45 minutes to vote this morning, when it usually only takes 5-10 minutes.  That is either a good sign or a bad sign.  Observations of the day:

- We have switched to the new Sequoia voting systems with the touch screens.  There is a paper trail (though we've always had a paper trail, even with the Diebold systems), so that isn't an issue if the storms we have later today get worse.  However, the lady heading up the polling station said the after-hours paperwork isn't any faster compared to our old lever-activated voting booths.  Additionally, we only had four voting machines, so maybe that added to the delay.

- There we only two people standing out front of the polling station holding voting material and neither of them offered me any of their literature.  One of them was a guy set up at a democratic table, and the gal did not seem to be affiliated with either of the two parties (at least not that was visible).

- Speaking of literature, this was the first time that there were not sample voting screens posted on the walls so people could be familiar with the appearance of the computer screens.  Also, the text for the various amendments and funding measures were not posted either.  Very unusual for one of our elections.

- Of the approximately 70 people at the polling station waiting in line to vote, no one was turned away for not having the proper ID, but then again that's never really been an issue in Virginia.

- While walking out of the polling station, I heard more people discussing the amendment to allow churches in Virginia to incorporate rather than any other option or candidate on the ballot.  About four years ago the issue was on the ballot as a legal measure (which was passed), but was struck down by the court due to the restriction in our Constitution.  The amendment will fix that.

Well, that's all I can think of at the moment.  Share your voting day observations here.

[MODU]

Voted at 9:30 this morning. Very fast... no lines... took much longer to sign in than to vote the four races and one proposition. Total time: 5 minutes. I was number 252.

I was number 33.  The best I've been has been number 5.  One of these days I'll be number 1!!! 

[MODU]

I had a "second" polling station experience today.  An older lady from my church needed some assistance getting to the polling station and walking through the facility.  It was an awfully small location, with people having to stand outside in the rain, but due to this lady's medical condition, we were able to skip through the lines and get to the voting machine fairly quickly.  Again, the lines were slow, which I believe have more to do with the numerous state and county initiatives being on the ballot this year rather than voter turnout.

[MODU]

My voting experience was pleasant in and of itself - got there around 3pm so barely anyone was there. However as I said before I had to drive through Atlanta twice, which all in all took two hours of my time. Went to Fuddruckers after that, and aside from my burger being overcooked by just a bit that was pretty damn good.

That's good eatin'!    Have you tried their Ostrich burger?

[MODU]

The Ostrich burger is worth the experience.  It tastes like a meaty chicken sandwich, but with all the cheese, katsup, etc on it, you'd swear it was beef.  I prefer the real thing, but I could consider it a reasonable substitute . . . especially considering that it is 99% fat free.