Apparently that’s become the thing to do. Well. Here’s why I’m not going to do it:
— I don’t trust the mail. Come on, hasn’t anyone had stuff disappear into the black hole at the center of the postal system at least once? I haven’t had a lot of bad luck with snail mail — still, voting is important, there’s no need to hang it on something so out of my control as the guy cleaning out the outgoing mailbox at my complex.
— The polling place is around the block from my apartment.
— I don’t have a job, so the usual “I’ll miss work” excuses don’t apply. I plan to get up at my leisure on Tuesday, amble on over to the polling place, cast my vote, and walk back home. Yes, walk — I have a car, but as I said the place is around the block, and frankly I need the exercise.
I don’t think early voting is a travesty, though. However, some of the objections to it on this list (I haven’t read the whole thing, not that interested) might also apply. YMMV.
(Via Machinery of the Night.)
9 Responses to “Why I’m not voting early”
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November 3rd, 2008 at 12:12 am
I voted early, but I hand carried my ballot to the courthouse, and dropped in the locked box. Because I don’t trust the mail.
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:39 am
Here in Clark County, WA, it’s total mail-in, although they do have ballot drop boxes where the actual polls used to be. We’ll be hand carrying ours in on Tuesday. I don’t like early voting unless it is for “true” absenteeism. Also in WA, the ballot envelope only has to be post marked by election day, not received by election day. How in the hell are those supposed to be counted after the fact?!
Oh,…
I know JRRT didn’t care for analogies, but: One ring to rule them all. I think Bugz’ casting in the comments is better.
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:52 am
I voted at the library yesterday because I am Grandma Daycare & didn’t feel like putting a toddler through the torture of an at least 90 minute stroll to the ballot box.
It went smoothly, took about an hour & 45 minutes, & I was prepared with my armband radio so I could listen to a football game, plus a new book, a bottle of water & a bag of mixed nuts.
Hey, I was a Navy Wife for 22 years – I am an expert in Line Standing, but too old now to mess with all that PLUS a toddler.
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:09 am
I was too old to mess with a toddler when I was a toddler. I came into this life pre-retired.
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Early voting is a successor to “Motor Voter,” in my opinion, another lame attempt to somehow make voting easy enough to achieve 100% turnout.
Who in their right mind can look at the election commentary in letters to the editor and even among media talking heads, and think 100% turnout would be a good thing? Obviously not good-government supporters.
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I voted early via mail-in ballot.
In Colorado this year in addition to voting for President, Senator and Congressman, we also have state legislature races (House and Senate), local bond issues, retention of judges, election of university regents, three state-wide referendums and 10 amendments to the state constitution.
No way was I gonna wait in line while a bunch of unprepared citizens (and perhaps non-citizens) worked their way through the ballot. The whole idea of going to the polls on election day and rubbing shoulders with my fellow Coloradans has lost its’ magic as I get older.
Whatever happens tomorrow at least I won’t have to listen to any more political ads for a couple more years.
November 4th, 2008 at 12:04 am
You won’t be watching the network news then, I take it?
November 4th, 2008 at 8:12 am
McG,
Jeez, I haven’t watched the network news since I don’t know when. I have to leave the room when my POSSLQ turns the lying bastards on because my BS detector pegs out. Yeah, I know it’s only because I’m a knuckle-dragging ultra-right-winger that I believe there’s a bit of leftward bias on the toob.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Just a smidge, yeah. π