turnout reports, voting problems, and last minute dirty tricks

[Mr. Morden]

Polls open shortly in Vermont, and soon thereafter in other East Coast states.  For the next ~13 hours or so, as we wait for exit poll numbers, this is all we have to discuss: turnout reports, voting problems, and last minute dirty tricks.  Post any news you have on that front in this thread.

For something to talk about right now, here's the current national weather map:

[Mr. Morden]

Here is an interesting website:

http://myfairelection.com/

"a crowd-source map of electoral conditions"

[Mr. Morden]

I would like to lodge an official complaint

Starbucks is offering free coffee, and Ben and Jerry's free ice cream, on Election Day.

The nearest Starbucks (in Washington state!!!) is 2 miles from my apartment, and the nearest Ben and Jerry's is in Gig Harbor.  The bridge toll would turn that free ice cream into like $7 ice cream.  And I'd also have to buy a car.

Mr. Morden, fix this.

I have contacted Ben and Jerry's, and they will no longer be serving free ice cream.  Thus, you don't have to pay $7, and there's no need to buy a car.  Problem solved.

[Alcon]

I would like to lodge an official complaint

Starbucks is offering free coffee, and Ben and Jerry's free ice cream, on Election Day.

The nearest Starbucks (in Washington state!!!) is 2 miles from my apartment, and the nearest Ben and Jerry's is in Gig Harbor.  The bridge toll would turn that free ice cream into like $7 ice cream.  And I'd also have to buy a car.

Mr. Morden, fix this.

I have contacted Ben and Jerry's, and they will no longer be serving free ice cream.  Thus, you don't have to pay $7, and there's no need to buy a car.  Problem solved.

Huzzah.

[Mr. Morden]

National weather forecast excerpts:

http://www.weather.com/newscenter/nationalforecast/index.html?from=hp_news

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[??????????]

I would like to lodge an official complaint

Starbucks is offering free coffee, and Ben and Jerry's free ice cream, on Election Day.

I'm on my way to Washington now, as we speak.

[exopolitician]

It's suppost to rain alittle here today. As if I dont have much to stress about now....

[Bacon King]

I would like to lodge an official complaint

Starbucks is offering free coffee, and Ben and Jerry's free ice cream, on Election Day.

I'm on my way to Washington now, as we speak.

Both of those are nationwide.

[J. J.]

Light orderly lines at my polling station at 7:05 AM.

[exopolitician]

Long line once the poll opened, but it went by pretty fast. I got there around 6 and ended up voting around 6:30. Parking was horrible though.

[Sam Spade]

I'll show up at my polling place about 1:00 PM or so and let you know.  No way I'm going to try and beat those who are going to work.

[Eraserhead]

Yeah, I'll go around 1 PM. It shouldn't be too bad by me.

[J. J.]

8:00 AM no line.  Maybe one voter going in.

[Sam Spade]

8:00 AM no line.  Maybe one voter going in.

This is direct on the spot reporting, right?

[J. J.]

8:00 AM no line.  Maybe one voter going in.

This is direct on the spot reporting, right?

Yes, poll workers outnumbered voters, from what I saw.

I still expect a higher turnout than last time.

At 2:00 PM in 2004, I was voter 170.  That was high, but being voter 200 wouldn't surprise me.

[Eraserhead]

Bill Ayers just voted at Obama's polling place. lol.

[Smid]

Over here, long lines early on are typically considered anti-incumbent (with the exception of 2004). We refer to that as the "early morning rush" and it usually signifies people eager to vote, which usually means eager to vote against someone, and therefore typically incumbents. Of course, we have compulsory voting, so that changes the dynamic somewhat, but is it similar over there? (That's also about as close as we get in Australia to exit polling).

[Eraserhead]

Now Obama is voting.

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

Tippecanoe County, Indiana

Heavy.

Purdue.

Turnout.

When the polls opened at 6 AM at the Union, there were an estimated 200 people in line.  At 7:30, they estimated 400 (WBAA radio).  Other polling places are running quickly and smoothly, according to my coworkers.

Now, this county does the "voting center" thing, so anyone can vote at any polling place.  But it still says something that it's so heavy at Purdue.

I think Tippecanoe, a 59% Bush 2004 county, goes for Obama this time around.

[exopolitician]

If it hasn't been reported.

5 of 7 Voting Machines at a location in Richmond broke down so they are using emergency paper ballots and have new machines on the way.

Same in Fairfax last I heard, they are both using paper ballots now.

[Eraserhead]

If it hasn't been reported.

5 of 7 Voting Machines at a location in Richmond broke down so they are using emergency paper ballots and have new machines on the way.

Same in Fairfax last I heard, they are both using paper ballots now.

Oh boy...

[exopolitician]

If it hasn't been reported.

5 of 7 Voting Machines at a location in Richmond broke down so they are using emergency paper ballots and have new machines on the way.

Same in Fairfax last I heard, they are both using paper ballots now.

Oh boy...

The ones in Fairfax apparently didnt have working memory cards or something, but it only effected a few machines and is nothing major.

[J. J.]

9:10 AM, no line, one voter walked in.  PA 11th Ward, two polling stations.

[J. J.]

KYW reported long lines in Chinatown.  (Yes, Philadelphia has a Chinatown.)

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

KYW reported long lines in Chinatown.  (Yes, Philadelphia has a Chinatown.)

No doubting that, but... Philadelphia has a K station?