Question For People Living In Early Voting States

[brandymac27]

Do you vote early or do you wait until election day? If you don't vote early but live in a state that offers it, why do you wait until election day?

[SC_RedskinsFan]

I vote on election day. I would not want to vote early then regret who i voted for. Why would you vote early?

Edit: You should have made this a poll

[Rumrunner6900]

I've never heard of this early voting until my wife's grandfather said he already voted.....weird.

[twa]

Normally I prefer to wait till election day(old fashioned)

This time with the wife's medical issues we will likely go early.

[Cdowwe]

I live in Ohio and am just waiting til election day. No reason for it other than you can change your mind if something strange comes up

[brandymac27]

I vote on election day. I would not want to vote early then regret who i voted for. Why would you vote early?

Edit: You should have made this a poll


I voted early b/c I won't be here on election day. My sisters house (that she bought less than a year ago) was burglarized and there was extensive damage done, so my husband and I are going up there Nov 1st to help her fix her house and we'll be there for about a week.

Honestly, I would have voted early anyway though b/c I feel very strongly that my candidate will live up to my expectations. I usually don't change my mind this late in the game anyway, at least I never have in the past.

[Monte51Coleman]

I am voting by mail.

The early voting turnout here in Florida though is being described as historically large. One to two hour waits have been the norm for the past seven days, including yesterday and today.

[brandymac27]

Edit: You should have made this a poll

I'm more interested in why people don't vote early if they can, and I figured I would never be able to list all of the options that people would have for not voting early. So, I basically decided against the poll, but I did think about doing that.

[brandymac27]

I am voting by mail.

The early voting turnout here in Florida though is being described as historically large. One to two hour waits have been the norm for the past seven days, including yesterday and today.

The lines were really long here in NC too. I think there will be a HUGE turnout on the 4th based on the early voting here.

[Toe Jam]

I'll vote on election day so I can have an excuse to miss work.

[Special K]

I always vote early with my absentee ballot. I don't have the time or energy to sit in lines forever and vote, so this is a great alternative. My whole family has already voted and everyone I personally know who gets these ballots have already sent them in. I doubt a high percentage of voters actually wait until the last minute to send their ballots in because typically the type of people who request these ballots tend to be very proactive when it comes to voting.

[brandymac27]

I always vote early with my absentee ballot. I don't have the time or energy to sit in lines forever and vote, so this is a great alternative. My whole family has already voted and everyone I personally know who gets these ballots have already sent them in. I doubt a high percentage of voters actually wait until the last minute to send their ballots in because typically the type of people who request these ballots tend to be very proactive when it comes to voting.


How does absentee work? Is it by mail? I don't know much about it.

[SC_RedskinsFan]

I'll vote on election day so I can have an excuse to miss work.

You skip work to vote? I vote before or after work.

[Cooked Crack]

I wish there was early voting here. It would feel like a weight has been removed off my chest. Can't wait till I push the button for Obama/Biden.

Why would you vote early?l
To get it over with. Fits better with your schedule. It's going to be packed Nov 4. Plus some people don't know if they will actually live till Nov 4. I've read stories of old folks breaking down because they never thought they'd live to vote for a black man.

[MissU28]

I don't vote early because I like knowing I am voting with everyone else and I like going to the polls on election day. I have never voted for the president at the actual polls- the last two elections I was in college so I absentee'd both times. I don't really care about long lines, I like seeing who shows up and being a part of the hoopla on that specific day.

[MissU28]

How does absentee work? Is it by mail? I don't know much about it.

I did it in college...since I was down in Harrisonburg and my permanent address was in Chantilly, I requested my ballots early and mailed it in. That or I would have had to drive up to Tilly to vote.

[SC_RedskinsFan]

Wow i am amazed at how some people like to throw who they want to win the POTUS in everything. I could care less who you are voting for, but im glad it makes you feel better putting it out there.

I was interested in why people vote early, not who you are voting for.

[brandymac27]

I did it in college...since I was down in Harrisonburg and my permanent address was in Chantilly, I requested my ballots early and mailed it in. That or I would have had to drive up to Tilly to vote.

Ok. Thanks for the info. I always wondered how that worked. Just out of curiosity though, do they get counted on election day, before, or after? It seems like it would take a while to count all of those. It doesn't seem like there would be enough to time to count them all on election day with all the other hoopla going on.

[brandymac27]

Wow i am amazed at how some people like to throw who they want to win the POTUS in everything. I could care less who you are voting for, but im glad it makes you feel better putting it out there.

I was interested in why people vote early, not who you are voting for.


Huh?

[SC_RedskinsFan]

I wish there was early voting here. It would feel like a weight has been removed off my chest. Can't wait till I push the button for Obama/Biden.



Huh?

Sorry what was i thinking that there could be a dicussion without saying who you want to win.

I dont mean to hijack your thread Brandy, i will leave it at that. :)

[brandymac27]

Sorry what was i thinking that there could be a dicussion without saying who you want to win.

In all fairness, I did it too without even realizing that I did it. I'll change my post to "my candidate" b/c I really don't want any arguing in the thread.

[Hersh]

I voted early so I don't have to wait in line on election. Early voting is great because it gives flexibility to those people that are working on election day. So far in NC, nearly 1.1 million have voted early and another 110,000 by absentee ballot. In 2004, a total of 3.5 million voted in the Presidential election.

[MissU28]

Ok. Thanks for the info. I always wondered how that worked. Just out of curiosity though, do they get counted on election day, before, or after? It seems like it would take a while to count all of those. It doesn't seem like there would be enough to time to count them all on election day with all the other hoopla going on.


Well it says absentee ballots are due on October 28, so I guess they count them early. They need to be fully counted by election day at 8pm in California.

[brandymac27]

I voted early so I don't have to wait in line on election. Early voting is great because it gives flexibility to those people that are working on election day. So far in NC, nearly 1.1 million have voted early and another 110,000 by absentee ballot. In 2004, a total of 3.5 million voted in the Presidential election.

Is that 3.5 million figure who voted just on election day? Or was it everybody including early voters/absentee etc?

[Hersh]

Everybody including early voting. 984,000 voted early during the entire period in 2004

[brandymac27]

Everybody including early voting. 984,000 voted early during the entire period in 2004


WOW. And already 1.1 million have early voted here and we still have about a week of early voting left. Big turnouts!

[Cooked Crack]

Wow i am amazed at how some people like to throw who they want to win the POTUS in everything. I could care less who you are voting for, but im glad it makes you feel better putting it out there.

I was interested in why people vote early, not who you are voting for.
I'll make sure I announce it in ever thread from now on. If you get offended then stop browsing this board. No way to avoid it.

[Hersh]

Here is the article
www.wral.com/news/local/politics/story/3823175/

Demcrats are turning out in big numbers as are African-Americans.

[SC_RedskinsFan]

I'll make sure I announce it in ever thread from now on. If you get offended then stop browsing this board. No way to avoid it.

The reason i pointed it out is i know how it will end. No reason to ruin this thread with arguing. If everybody says how they are voting that is how it will turn out, a train wreck.

[brandymac27]

Here is the article
www.wral.com/news/local/politics/story/3823175/ (http://www.wral.com/news/local/politics/story/3823175/)

Demcrats are turning out in big numbers as are African-Americans.

Great article! Thanks for the link! When you voted, did you see lines of people who were able to register to vote right there at the polling place? I'm asking b/c 1) I want to know if those people are allowed to vote immediately after they register. I THINK they are b/c I saw tons of people in line registering to vote and then in the actual voting line right afterwards. 2) I thought there was a deadline here in NC for registering to vote, and I thought the deadline has already passed. Do you know anything about this?

[Cooked Crack]

The reason i pointed it out is i know how it will end. No reason to ruin this thread with arguing. If everybody says how they are voting that is how it will turn out, a train wreck.
The second you opened this thread you are greeted with this

http://i508.photobucket.com/albums/s328/brandymac27/john-mccain-funny-graphic-1.jpg (Which I got no beef with)

If you want to avoid knowing who people support then you have to consider logging off. Stop acting offended. You pointing it out really does nothing but take the conversation in a different direction.

[Hersh]

Great article! Thanks for the link! When you voted, did you see lines of people who were able to register to vote right there at the polling place? I'm asking b/c 1) I want to know if those people are allowed to vote immediately after they register. I THINK they are b/c I saw tons of people in line registering to vote and then in the actual voting line right afterwards. 2) I thought there was a deadline here in NC for registering to vote, and I thought the deadline has already passed. Do you know anything about this?

I voted at triangle towncenter in Raleigh and while there was no line out the door, it was continuously full inside with probably 30 voting booths.

Found this:
A North Carolina resident who is qualified to register to vote may register In-Person and vote at a One-Stop Site in the person's county of residence during the One-Stop Absentee Voting period. The One-Stop Voting period extends from 19 to 3 days before Election Day.

The process is sometimes referred to as “In-Person Registration,” but it is important to recognize that it not permitted on Election Day itself.

Also it said there has been a net total of 587,000 new registered voters as of Oct.23rd.

[twa]

I voted at triangle towncenter in Raleigh and while there was no line out the door, it was continuously full inside with probably 30 voting booths.

Found this:
A North Carolina resident who is qualified to register to vote may register In-Person and vote at a One-Stop Site in the person's county of residence during the One-Stop Absentee Voting period. The One-Stop Voting period extends from 19 to 3 days before Election Day.

The process is sometimes referred to as “In-Person Registration,” but it is important to recognize that it not permitted on Election Day itself.

Also it said there has been a net total of 587,000 new registered voters as of Oct.23rd.


Thats pretty cool, don't think they have that here.

[Hersh]

another reason I voted early is that I'm excited because my vote actually matters this year. Normally it's not close in any of the 3 states I've lived.

[SC_RedskinsFan]

I voted at triangle towncenter in Raleigh and while there was no line out the door, it was continuously full inside with probably 30 voting booths.

Found this:
A North Carolina resident who is qualified to register to vote may register In-Person and vote at a One-Stop Site in the person's county of residence during the One-Stop Absentee Voting period. The One-Stop Voting period extends from 19 to 3 days before Election Day.

The process is sometimes referred to as “In-Person Registration,” but it is important to recognize that it not permitted on Election Day itself.

Also it said there has been a net total of 587,000 new registered voters as of Oct.23rd.


It seems like this should be available in every state. Shouldn't voting laws be universal?

[brandymac27]

I voted at triangle towncenter in Raleigh and while there was no line out the door, it was continuously full inside with probably 30 voting booths.

Found this:
A North Carolina resident who is qualified to register to vote may register In-Person and vote at a One-Stop Site in the person's county of residence during the One-Stop Absentee Voting period. The One-Stop Voting period extends from 19 to 3 days before Election Day.

The process is sometimes referred to as “In-Person Registration,” but it is important to recognize that it not permitted on Election Day itself.

Also it said there has been a net total of 587,000 new registered voters as of Oct.23rd.

Ah, that answers my question! I guess the deadline I heard about was wrong. That's pretty cool that people are able to do that.

[brandymac27]

another reason I voted early is that I'm excited because my vote actually matters this year. Normally it's not close in any of the 3 states I've lived.


Tell me about it. It hasn't been this close here for a while.

[brandymac27]

It seems like this should be available in every state. Shouldn't voting laws be universal?


I agree with you, and I'm not sure why they aren't.

[clietas]

Early voting opened here in Co. Oct. 20th. Either you go to a early polling spot or send in the ballot that was mailed out in Sept. I just go and vote on election day. I usually have plenty of time in the morning to go, although last mid-term election in 06 there were a lot of people. Quick ?, how many choices do you all have for Prez, we have 16 in Co. Just curious.

[Rdskns2000]

The only time I voted early was in 88 when I voted by absentee ballot. I like voting on Election day.

I don't like early voting because there's alot that can happen between when you cast your early vote and election day.

Both Bushes had something happened that final weekend that turned the election. In 92, Bush was starting to close in on Clinton but then Lawrence Walsh indicted Casper Weinberger that weekend before the election.

Bush was leading in the polls but that report about his DUI arrest cost him votes and hence the tie we basically got. I'll admit I almost didn't vote for him because of that. I should've went third party like I did in 2004 and will do this time.


Something could still come out about Mccain or Obama before election day that would make people not want to vote for them.

[twa]

I agree with you, and I'm not sure why they aren't.

The rules are set by the states for the most part with federal guidelines I believe.

I like the idea though

[Hersh]

Maryland, Va and NC (the 3 places I've lived) have never been close when I was able to vote. I wouldn't be surprised if every state has a significant early voting period by 2012. I think it's incredibly successful.

[HogNose]

Do you vote early or do you wait until election day? If you don't vote early but live in a state that offers it, why do you wait until election day?

Well because my wife is pregnant she voted absentee so she won't have to stand in line since she is due on Nov. 9th.

Me....well I will be there early on Election day when the polls open. I guess I might vote early if they offered it but I kind of like the hype of actually voting on election day.

[Yusuf06]

I voted early also....about 10 days ago IIRC. I went a couple of times hoping the lines would be shorter the next day. It turns out they were only getting longer by the day so I finally just took the plunge and got 'er done. It turned out not to be too long a wait, roughly an hour.

Like everyone else, I went early because I was concerned about long lines at the polls.

[Hersh]

Only 2 candidates for President in North Carolina.

[DeanCollins]

I voted yesterday because I'm flying to NC on the day of the election.

[brandymac27]

how many choices do you all have for Prez, we have 16 in Co. Just curious.


Only 2 candidates for President in North Carolina.

Yep, only 2 here. I thought this was a little weird b/c the last 3 elections we had a few more choices.

[Hersh]

Yep, only 2 here. I thought this was a little weird b/c the last 3 elections we had a few more choices.

This is going to be a backwards year for North Carolina. A Republican Governor, a Democratic Senator and a Democratic President.

[brandymac27]

This is going to be a backwards year for North Carolina. A Republican Governor, a Democratic Senator and a Democratic President.


We haven't had a republican Governor in forever. Hell, who was the last one?

[MissU28]

There are 6 choices here and a write-in option:

mccain
mckinney
keyes
nader
obama
barr

[clietas]

^^In 04' we had the Communist party ticket on the ballots out here. Pretty cool if you ask me. Yeah my brother lives in Greensboro and I was talking to him about all the candidates out here. He thinks Co. is a crazy state since we have some pretty weird candidates. If your interested he hosts a political show every Wed. night outa Kernersville :http://thirdrailradio.com/

[Hersh]

Apparently James Martin for 8 years in between Hunt's 16 years. Only three Republicans since 1877. Damn I love the internet.

[clietas]

There are 6 choices here and a write-in option:

mccain
mckinney
keyes
nader
obama
barr

Yeah there all on the ballot here, My bro was saying Mckinney was the Rep from Ga. that hit a security guard in the head with her cell phone. Pretty funny she is running for President.

Edit: We don't have a write in for Prez but we do for U.S. Senator. i'm still under the assumption that write ins never get counted.

[Hersh]

Yeah there all on the ballot here, My bro was saying Mckinney was the Rep from Ga. that hit a security guard in the head with her cell phone. Pretty funny she is running for President.

It's her job to run. Probably makes a decent living doing it.

[brandymac27]

Apparently James Martin for 8 years in between Hunt's 16 years. Only three Republicans since 1877. Damn I love the internet.


You really think he's gonna win? I don't b/c most of the new voters seem to be democrats and if they're voting for Obama, more than likely, they'll vote for Perdue. That's just my opinion of course.

According to this the race is very close, a toss up:

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200881016049

[Hersh]

If Bev wins, she owes it all to Obama. As an Obama supporter, I actually voted McCrory. Even the N&O endorsed him today. Not that newspapers sway me, but the N&O leans left. Also, Obama is gonna win Charlotte big, but that's McCrory's turf and they like him.

[Thiebear]

With voting open before the real day: The License or picture voter ID should really be used. It's not even inconvienant to vote different locations now. Just hit one a day.

I vote at 6am at Cameron Elementary school: last time about 50people in front of me and was about 30mins.. no biggie, but i got the throw away vote :).

[Veretax]

I vote early, but that's mostly because I'm working the polls out of my precinct

[KAOSkins]

Well, if Palin drops out then I'll admit I screwed up. I don't see that happening and since I work in the same building where we have early voting it's just too easy. I've voted early in every election since '99 and have yet to regret it.

[OrangeSkin]

Voting on election day is more exciting, makes you feel more like you're part of the process, at least for me. I just like the whole experience of it, and I also hope to get exit polled. Plus we don't have early voting in Virginia, so I guess my opinion isn't even relevant. :)

I saw my friend's Ohio absentee ballot and they had the socialist party candidate on there, I found it exceedingly bizarre. What if the socialists won Ohio? :paranoid:

[brianm23]

I voted the first day of Early voting here in NC. Go Obama! (too bad Ron Paul wasn't on the ticket)