I Voted–No Lines

As we approached the driveway Helaine said it didn’t look crowded. It didn’t. There were more people than usual on the steps leading to the building–the gauntlet of pols you have to pass before entering the state mandated ‘demilitarized zone’. There was no line–none.

Helaine and I drove to the neighborhood school where we’ve cast our ballot for the last 19 years. It’s the same elementary school Steffie attended.

As we approached the driveway Helaine said it didn’t look crowded. It didn’t. There were more people than usual on the steps leading to the building–the gauntlet of pols you have to pass before entering the state mandated ‘demilitarized zone’. There was no line–none.

We vote with paper ballots which are filled out in little portable booths. Since other voters walk behind you, they provide no real privacy. Once the ballot is filled and placed in a folder you walk it to the scanner (which Helaine is convinced is really a shredder).

I took a photo of my ballot, but after I’d filled it out. I guess I’d better not post it.

I asked one of the poll workers about the turnout. She didn’t wait a second before telling me the line when they opened early this morning. It looks big.

Connecticut is in the bag for Obama. My congresswman, Rosa DeLauro will easily win by 30 points. State Senator Martin Looney ran unopposed. The only really contested race in my area is for state rep. There, a political newcomer, Democrat Elizabeth Esty has spent lots of time, money and effort trying to defeat Al Adinolfi.

How long a night will it be? Or, will the election be over before our late news airs?

7 thoughts on “I Voted–No Lines”

  1. The lines here in Branford were pretty deep, but they sorted us by street name, and for some reason, I was moved to the front of the line because nobody else in line lived on a street starting with N thru Z. I voted, took a pic of my completed ballot w/ my cell phone and was out of there in under 5 minutes, walking right past the people I had just been standing with in line.

  2. In Stratford at 8:15am there had been 382 votes cast at the Stratford High School polling station. There was no line when I arrived but a boatload of people were showing up as I left.

  3. I was in and out in less than 2 minutes in New Milford. No line at all, but maybe that’s because I went at 11:30 am.

    Off Topic – my daughter (she of the hockey photo on your 3/23/08 blog) is doing a project on weather for her science class. She was hoping to email you to ask a question so she could include your answer as part of her project? Let me know if you have the time to help her out – pattybailey@sbcglobal.net

    By the way, your photo tips were a huge help. I’ve gotten some pretty good shots so far this season. I need a telephoto lens to take it to the next level.

  4. I voted this morning. Waited 1 1/4 hr. My youngest also voted this morning and waited 1 hr. The other two kids voted just after 4 this afternoon and walked right in…no wait. I can’t wait til the results start coming in. I only hope we have a new president before I go to bed tonight!

  5. I am totally uncomfortable with this “new” voting method… I miss walking into the machine and closing the curtain behind me. THAT’S a secret ballot.

    In fact, as I was in line to check out this morning, I could see marks on other people’s ballot. That’s not right! I think there needs to be some media pressure for a more private voting environment.

    In terms of turnout.. at my polling place in Massachusetts, no lines, but very busy. At 9am, I believe I was the 681st person to vote.

    I brought my mother to vote in lovely Columbia, at 10am 36% of voters had already voted… WHAT A DAY!

  6. I don’t understand why (particularly in states that have early voting) the news is reporting that people have been waiting in line for HOURS to vote. Isn’t it simple? If people are waiting for hours you need more polling places. Why not make all schools (or every other school) in an area a voting spot?

  7. I had to be in NYC by 9:00 this morning (am in Atlanta now) … so my only chance to vote was right when the polls opened. I waited in line 45 minutes, but still made my train.

    My friend in the East Village (NYC) waited 3.5 hours this morning. She almost missed our plane. Crazy!!

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