The "I Voted" Thread--participation voluntary

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 2:14 pm

Shannon and I voted today.

I thought it would be neat to have a thread where folks could say that they have voted.

Please don't say who or what you voted for or against, and please don't bring up any issues: take all of that to the Procto board.

This thread is only for those who have voted and want to say that they have.

Thanks.

--James

Flyingcursor · Post by **Flyingcursor** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 3:10 pm

HOw did you get to vote early? That's not allowed in Michigan.

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 3:28 pm

Flyingcursor wrote:HOw did you get to vote early? That's not allowed in Michigan.

Arkansas has an early voting option. I believe that several states do.

"Vote early and often."

(Just kidding on the "often" part, of course!)

--James

Lambchop · Post by **Lambchop** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 3:47 pm

I'm waiting for my ballot to arrive.

djm · Post by **djm** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 4:19 pm

I had the option of voting early, but chose to wait for the official voting day. Doesn't this belong in the Procto forum?

djm

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 4:21 pm

djm wrote:I had the option of voting early, but chose to wait for the official voting day. Doesn't this belong in the Procto forum?

djm

Surely just the act of voting isn't all that controversial?

If Dale or the mods want to put this in Procto, I've no objection, but I really don't see the need.

--James

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 4:25 pm

Seems a little unfair to vote before the campaign is over.

djm · Post by **djm** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 4:30 pm

The campaign was over last week.

I didn't mean to say this was controversial. I suggested it simply because the topic is political in nature. I guess the lines are fuzzy.

djm

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 4:57 pm

Walden wrote:Seems a little unfair to vote before the campaign is over.

You have a point, but if you have firmly decided who you're voting for--as I did some time ago)--then early voting has real advantages:

--avoid the long lines, bad traffic, and short tempers of election day

--you have a choice of places and times that allow you to pick something more convenient; this is especially nice for those who can't be absent from work or school on election day

--it makes the election more valid by making sure that everyone who wants to vote and is eligible to do so has a fair chance of being able to cast their vote

I don't always vote early, but this year I'm grateful to have the option.

--James

Redwolf · Post by **Redwolf** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:28 pm

I can't speak for all the mods, but I would think that, if it's just kept to "I voted" and doesn't get into for whom or into issues (which is what peeplj requested in the first post), it's not "Procto" material.

The "vote early" option is nice for a lot of people (as is the ability to vote via absentee ballot, even if you're not technically "absent"). It does pay to remember, however, that your employer is required by law to allow you time to go vote, so if you're not in a state with an early voting option and didn't apply for an absentee ballot (I believe it's too late at this juncture), stand up for your rights on election day!

I prefer to vote on the actual day, myself, but I don't have the time constraints many others do.

Redwolf

avanutria · Post by **avanutria** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:45 pm

I voted, via absentee ballot. I got it about a week and a half ago.

A-Musing · Post by **A-Musing** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:59 pm

We filled out our ballots, today. Stuffed 'em into their two envelopes, and will deliver 'em to the town hall on Monday.

Then, we can sit back with the popcorn, and watch the whole thing unfold.

What an election!

MTGuru · Post by **MTGuru** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 6:46 pm

Redwolf wrote:your employer is required by law to allow you time to go vote, so ... stand up for your rights on election day!

That's state law Red, not federal, and will vary from state to state. It's true in California (see California Code below), but not necessarily elsewhere. Remember, Nov. 4 is a state election for state electors, not president, so each state can have its own laws. Screwy, isn't it?

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisg ... n=retrieve

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 6:52 pm

I voted on Friday.

My girlfriend got her new voters registration form today (with her new address) so she'll be voting Monday.

We've been able to vote since Monday, Oct 20th, and can early-vote though Oct 31st. No reason necessary. It's an awfully nice option.

Lambchop · Post by **Lambchop** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 6:54 pm

Redwolf wrote:The "vote early" option is nice for a lot of people (as is the ability to vote via absentee ballot, even if you're not technically "absent"). It does pay to remember, however, that your employer is required by law to allow you time to go vote,

Well, yes, but if the polls are open before or after work, they'll tell you to do it then. Some might not want to raise this issue with an employer who hasn't already offered the time off.

so if you're not in a state with an early voting option and didn't apply for an absentee ballot (I believe it's too late at this juncture), stand up for your rights on election day!

It is probably too late to register to vote, but it might not be too late for an absentee ballot. Here, you have until the 29th of October to request a ballot to be mailed. You can do it online. You have until November 4 to mail it back or drop it off at a collection point.