Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Election open thread and live-blogging at Open Salon.

Mr. and Mrs. Confidential made strong black coffee and struck two pro-Obama blows against the Dimpire at 6:50 a.m., and in the process, were voters 33 and 34 in New Albany's Precinct 5.

I'm not sure we're in need of an open thread here today, but you may use the blog in such a fashion if you wish. Note that Randy "Destinations Booksellers" Smith will be live-blogging today's election at Open Salon. Here is the link (RS, correct me if this isn't the right one):

Randy's Nov. 4 live-blogging

Randy's Live-blogging the election and needs your help ... call or e-mail your voting stories. When you vote on Tuesday, please look around you. I'd appreciate it if you could take the time to call in reports from your voting place. The phone number is (812) 944-5116. The e-mail is ops@destinationsbooksellers.com.

If you can just provide a count of the voters and the time you voted, or if you have testimony about voting problems or great stories, I'll share them with the world (your name kept private) throughout the day.

31 comments:

The New Albanian said...

I've copied these from the preceding post ... RAB

John Alton said...
I live about 3 doors away from my polling place, and I voted at about 6:05am...straight Democrat...and was back home in 13 minutes. I thought that being that close to the place..maybe I could be the first one to vote. By the time I walked across the parking lot..I wound up being #8, and the line was growing. It's going to be fun!

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Matt Nash said...
I was number 46 at precinct #10 Ekin Ave Rec Center at 7:10 am. I think this is about double for the first hour. There was no wait at either poll (two vote there) was in and out. Look forward to a fun day myself and a glass of Elector at 6:05 pm.

Iamhoosier said...

Voted at 6:40, #41 at the fairgrounds. Walked right in and voted. They barely looked at my ID.

Shirley Baird was outside, supporting her candidates, and we both laughed since we had just been together at the Council meeting last night. Shirley said there was a long line @ 6. My wife voted around 6:15 and said there was small line out the door when she got there.

Dan Chandler said...

I voted at 8:05 at new firehouse on Spring St. Voter #84 was in and out in 10 minutes.

There was one angry local there. She said that when she voted in the primaries using another form of ID, she was told that she would not need an Indiana drivers license today. Today she was not allowed to vote.

Daniel Short said...

Dan, she should have been allowed to vote and her ballot would have been conditional and she would have been allowed to show her id later. Everyone is allowed to vote. The picture id must be shown before that vote counts.

Daniel Short said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Daniel Short said...

My wife voted at 8:45 on Charlestown Rd. #37. She was voter 188. There are at least 3 precincts voting there, so that is a large early turnout. She waited about 15 minutes. I will report more when I vote at lunch time.

Bayernfan said...

I voted at S Ellen Jones at around 8:45 and was #92 in my precinct with a very short wait. The ladies there said that this was as busy as they've ever seen in our precinct.

The New Albanian said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The New Albanian said...

Let's try this again.

Note this comment from Brian Howey's Indiana politics web site, filed under Indiana House: Latebreakers:

HPI’s Final Forecast for an Epic Election

In HD72, Republican Ed Clere is running an attack campaign against State Rep. William Cochran.

I'm having this strong feeling of having been duped somewhere along the way, and I voted accordingly.

Eric Schansberg said...

I voted at Wilson ES in Jeffersonville at about 10:00-- and two of the three precincts there had significant lines. (That said, someone said that Jeff HS' precincts had been moved, so maybe it's only a transfer of voters.)

At 6:00, I was in Freetown (is there a better place for a Libertarian in the 9th District to start?!)-- and there were 15 people in line.

From 6:30-7:00, I was in Brownstown-- and it was modest.

From 7:15-7:45, I was in Seymour-- and it was modest.

From 8:00-8:30, I was in North Vernon-- and it was slow.

From 9:00-9:30, I was in Scottsburg-- and it was steady.

Now, I'm at IUS, hoping that a few more people will gain a better understanding of econ. It's all too rare!

enjoy!

ecology warrior said...

i voted at precinct 20, american legion mcdonald lane /grantline road where i witnessed a woman walking around without an election official badge. I asked what she was and was told she was an inspector. I thought all election officials had to display some form of ID

ecology warrior said...

hope youre not campaigning at IUS Eric, you know the regulations about that I assume

Eric Schansberg said...

To clarify: I'm preparing to teach a class.

And yes, I know the regulation! ;-)

ecology warrior said...

i am not convinced of that eric, you have christian verses and scripture on your official university web site which runs off the university server therefore making it a taxpayer funded resource promoting christianity, you promote your book with excerpts calling christians to political activity and you link to your blog espousing the libertarian party.

looks to me like you dont really take the regulations to seriously, of course what libertarian does

Daniel Short said...

I voted at 11:45 and was number 413. There were well over 1500 cast between the 4 precincts, but not a major wait.

Eric Schansberg said...

I am not aware that those are a violation of university policy. If I am in violation, I would be happy to make the necessary adjustments.

Of course, I would argue that Libertarians are (easily) the most interested in the rule of law, the Constitution(s), etc.

ecology warrior said...

how about the separation of church and state eric, christianity promo on a taxpayer funded resource ie your web site violtaes that little element of the constitution i would think

Ann said...

Mom, Steve and I just voted at the firehouse at noon. We were #s 318, 319 and 320. As hard as it was for Mom to walk in, she wanted to cast her vote for Obama.

Eric Schansberg said...

"Separation of church and state" is not in the Constitution. In any case, good people disagree on how to apply that interesting yet tired phrase, yes?

The New Albanian said...

It's easy. Keep the religious teachings of one religion out of the secular legal code that applies to me.

The essence of simplicity.

Daniel Short said...

Ah man, can't today just be about votes. Your pitch is over and the argument can wait at least until tomorrow.

John Alton said...

IUS could have allowed you the day off Mr.Schansberg...as a courtesy to you for being a candidate for a major office...even though with the stiff competition, you're still an established candidate, who steps up to offer an alternative to the normal line of bull from the other two candidates. Your alternative is actually talking about issues..what a concept.

Matt..that glass of Elector sounds good!

John Alton said...

Dan...bravo...and I agree, today should just be about votes...and when the day is over, and the votes are all counted...then we will hope, and pray, and in about 6 months or so, start writing blog articles as critics of the people we vote in today. See change yet?

Unknown said...

I voted at 1445 hrs at precinct 28 at the Lutheran church on Klerner Lane. I was voter number 589 and waited in no line at all. There were 2 people campaigning out front for Judge Glenn Hancock and Maria Grangier. As always, there were no problems and the process was smooth and easy.
I am looking forward to 6pm and a pint of brew at Richo's. Have 2 waiting on me, eh Roger?

The New Albanian said...

Absotively, Richard. The Publican takes care of his mouthpiece.

Unknown said...

I voted at 830,in Jeff, there was no line. I was #43. The guy in front of me had apparently not voted in some time as he thought he was going to have to punch holes in the ballot. I took him being there as a good sign.

Meatbe said...

I voted at precinct 34 on Charlestown Road at about 1:30 this afternoon, and I was voter number 518. My old friend Dr. John Click was there, and I enjoyed chatting with him and wishing him luck. Ed Clere was also on hand.

I would love to come to the NABC tonight for some fine ale, but unfortunately must head to Evansville now for a medical review panel meeting. But I look forward to slaking my thirst with Bluegill, John Gonder and others soon, as we've previously discussed. Skoal!

Christopher D said...

In New Albany #25 My wife and I were numbers 264 and 265.
(which is an absolutely AMAZING number for this precinct)

Larry M. Summers said...

When I left Georgetown at 4:50, both Gtown 3 and 4 had over 1000 voters

Larry M. Summers said...

I just wanted to congratulate Brad Striegel, Ted Heavrin and Carol Shope.

Eric Schansberg said...

Congrats to you, Larry, on a race well-run...