Have you voted today?

[dewdrop_world]

In my neighborhood the line to vote was very short - I was in and out in under 10 minutes.

Don't forget!!

James

PS Obviously the poll questions are intended for people who are registered to vote...

[keltic63]

I would have gone to vote before work this morning, but my partner couldn't go with me, he was already at work. SO, we're going together after work today.

[marutidas]

We talk alot about non-violence and how to implement it, but voting, is the most effective and crucial non-violent thing you can do bring about change.

I voted yesterday via absentee because I was a afraid I would forget.

If you choose not to vote, don't comlpain if things do not go the way you want them to.

---Marutidas

[Vanessa White]

I have recently moved and did not yet register in my new district, so I need to vote in my old district, which I cannot get to do until tonight. I have struggled in the past with whether or not my vote made a difference, but this one seems to be quite critical, and I don't think I can NOT vote. Supposed to be the anticipated largest voter turnout in over two decades.

[Dash]

Yep!

Took about 10 minutes (maybe more) to get through the ballot. It's crazy! It's no wonder so many people don't vote...it's so intimidating. The ballot was about 8 1/2 x 17" and one entire side was filled with judges up for retention. I had my list of recommendations from the various bar associations, but had a terrible time finding the handful of judges on the ballot that were generally considered "not qualified." Beyond that, in Chicago there were very few opponents to the Democratic candidates. It was either Democrat or "write in."

I did take pleasure, nonetheless, in voting for my incumbant Democratic Congreswoman. She has been a vocal oppponent of the Iraq involvement since the beginning. I got to shake her hand a couple weeks ago at the Howard St. Red Line stop.

[Lydia]

I sent in my absentee ballot a few weeks ago, actually.

[Jamie McDaniel]

Ok, so I just voted in this poll. Is that what everyone is talking about today? Weird.

Seriously though, our local mayor race will be interesting. Our current mayor was seen as a progressive and a friend to the GLBT community, but when asked about our issues, she recently told the newspaper that she voted for the 2004 constitutional amendment (that bans not only marriage for gays, but also civil unions and likely domestic partnerships) and she stated "I do not support same sex marriage."

Well, that was enough for me to switch my vote. The other candidate goes to Calvary Baptist Church, the moderate Baptist church that Soulforce Lexington vigiled outside twice and sent Mel's booklet to all 800 members (we had access to their directory.) He said he couldn't remember how he voted on the amendment, which was probably a misleading statement. He did tell the newspaper he was ok with the University of Kentucky making the decision to offer domestic partner benefits. Our current mayor said she had no opinion.

So I felt the challenger has more potential with GLBT issues than our current mayor who, though she attends our community's events, really betrayed us. I mean, if a supposedly progressive mayor is willing to go on record as having voted for that horrible amendment, then what message does that send to moderates and other "thinking" people who look to her for leadership. Not a good message in my opinion and enough to make me switch my vote.

[Zerbie]

Vanessa - VOTE!!!!!!!!

Dash - The Arizona ballot is 4 PAGES LONG!! 2 sides, front and back. No fewer than 19 ballot propositions. Talk about intimidating - hubby and I took weeks researching the props, and it still took me 2 hours to fill my ballot out. Turned it in last week via early voting.

I'm spending the day at a polling place handing out No on 107 literature. On a shift break right now - going to take a short nap with the covers over my head. Most people were nice to me, but one told me I'm "ridiculous," that 107 won't take away benefits, that I need to "get a life," and I'm just "ruining marriage for the rest of us." Gee.

But as I packed up for shift break, a man with a child in tow thanked me for being there and said, "I think it's wonderful what you're doing, and very very brave, especially nowadays with this radical right." And he talked for a while about how sad he is as a Christian to see "christians" spewing hate. Anyway - he was so encouraging, he totally made my whole day, and it gives me strength to go back and campaign some more later and catch the after-work crowd.

Wish us luck out here! We have a victory party planned for 8pm til midnight. Please send us your prayers!

[Jamie McDaniel]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

I'm spending the day at a polling place handing out No on 107 literature.

Good work, Zerbie. Hopefully we will be celebrating with you and Arizona later tonight. We definitely need a win on one of these amendments.

on 107

[Giancarlo]

I have voted for those who I mentioned before, including Schwarzenegger for gov, and Feinstein for Senator... I have voted NO on ALL propositions up for vote here.

I'm proud I did my civic duty.

Zerbie you can do that? Here in California I don't believe they allow people to do any promoting within 100 feet of the polling location.

[suzer1013]

Yes, my partner and I went this morning. I'm hoping beyond hope that we'll see some change in this country.

My thoughts and prayers have been with you in AZ today, Zerbie!

Susan

[Mia14]

Went in and voted, there were no lines. We had electronic voting machines that made me nervous since seeing Man of the Year (how can we be sure of the accuracy when there's no record?)

[keltic63]

My partner and I both voted around 5:30 this evening. You can thank us now, we both voted for Bob Casey, NOT Rick Santorum!


Oh, you're soooo welcome. we were happy to do it!

[Giancarlo]

Originally Posted by keltic63

My partner and I both voted around 5:30 this evening. You can thank us now, we both voted for Bob Casey, NOT Rick Santorum!


Oh, you're soooo welcome. we were happy to do it!

Santorum has been projected as being defeated. Good riddance. I still remember the stuff he said about gay people. He is exactly what is wrong with the republican party.

Just a little update, California turn-out was a bit low from what I have heard.

[tdogg]

Dropped off absentee ballot this AM before work - dropping it off I KNOW it gets at least to a polling place, not that sure about USPS. Anyway, there was already several people in line to vote as soon as our polling place opened.

Zerbie - prayers sent up, waiting on the edge of my seat to hear not only CA results but AZ as well. Let us know as soon as you hear anything, news is on but not sure how much a % they have counted yet?

[Emproph]

There's info here by state on candidate and amendment results.

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by Giancarlo

Zerbie you can do that? Here in California I don't believe they allow people to do any promoting within 100 feet of the polling location.

Yes. Here in AZ there is a 75 foot limit beyond which no campaigning is allowed. I stood a few feet outside that limit with my sign and literature, in the campaign tee shirt, along with a couple candidates for local office.

[Lydia]

I just heard that it looks like the Democrats will have a majority in the Senate as well. Wasn't expecting that (assuming it's true).

[Giancarlo]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Yes. Here in AZ there is a 75 foot limit beyond which no campaigning is allowed. I stood a few feet outside that limit with my sign and literature, in the campaign tee shirt, along with a couple candidates for local office.

Heheh.. nice. I didn't see any of that here. It turns out turn-out was a bit higher then I originally thought, but Schwarzenegger sweeped the election.

At any rate, I kinda think that the republicans will have to look towards Schwarzenegger (a moderate), and not Bush or any conservative in the future. I think this will be good for both parties in the end, though I'm not very optimistic about the next two years. I was stunned about how much Schwarzenegger won in this state (55%-39%).