How's Election Day been for you?: The Swamp
The Swamp
Chicago Tribune
Posted November 4, 2008 11:14 AM
The Swamp

by Frank James

We're interested in hearing about your voting experiences today. How long did you have to wait? What was the mood on line? What was the weather like? Were there any problems with the voting process itself in terms of the machines or your registration?

Let us know how it went for you and we'll post your comments.

Also, if you have pictures of your voting experience on this historic Election Day that you want to share on The Swamp, send them to TheSwamp@tribune.com.

Digg Delicious Facebook Fark Google Newsvine Reddit Yahoo

Comments

How many undecided voters are like my husband? We both voted early and had no difficulties; however, he simply decided not to vote at all for President. He voted on local issues and down-ballot candidates but remained, until the very end, undecided!


Voted at Italian American Hall of Fame and like every time, highly unorganized polling location. Every time I say I'll volunteer and I never do so I can't complain too much. Disorganized lines, shortage of pens and ballot sleeves, 8 standard pen machines and 1 computer machine (that repeatedly broke). Took about 1.5 hours from 6-8:30 am. No apparent election judge. Only a couple of the volunteers seemed to be fully functioning individuals. But it still was exciting to cast my vote and I'm thrilled I did my homework for all the judges prior to showing up.


Only a 25 minute wait in Savoy IL.Well organized. Great weather. My wife was #700 at about 10:05 am


Perfect weather to stand in lines. The crowds seem energized and optimistic. I was surprised by how many people are still talking about lesser known contender Gov. Frank Cotton.


1/2 hour wait at 6 a.m. at a small catholic school in Joliet. Very well-organized, but the election volunteers were all very elderly and slow. I give them a lot of credit, but it's clear that I need to volunteer to do this in the future.


Waited an hour and 45 mintues here in the Atlanta area to vote this morning - which is great considering they had waits of 4 to 5 hours for early voting.


Couldn't have been smoother or easier at our church polling place in Homewood around 10 a.m., but I'm told there were fairly long lines at about 7 a.m.


Well the wait of easy.No more then 5 minutes. It took longer for the elderly woman to find me in the book. I suppose knowledge of alphaphet is important when volunteering at the polls. Yes, C comes before S. I had to prove that I was at the right polling place because the woman was having trouble locating my name in the voting book despite having my DL in hand. I then had to show the elderly gentleman that I did live in district because of this fiasco. Finally the man confirmed I was at the right place she tried again at the book and found my name. I know voting day can be confusing but the alphabet is still the same. She was finally able to find my name I signed the card. Mind you I have two toddlers with me ( 2-3) My last name was not the exact carbon copy signature. Had to have two people confirm yes it is me. Sorry the last letter was less twirly then usual. Finally was able to vote and it took all of two minutes. I some how think its not the people that vote that cause chaos but the people they choose to help man the polls. I suppose I shouldn't complain and perhaps next election volunteer myself.


One hour wait at 6:20 AM at Waters School in Lincoln Square. It was a weird set-up (the line was curved oddly) but everyone seemed like they were in a fine mood.


I was at the polls at 5:40 and voted about 8am in St. Louis County. Huge line and this is always a slow location no mater the size of the crowd. But two hours of waiting was nothing after 8 years of Bush.


I just wish i could vote. I'm an Australian who has lived here for nearly five years, i really hope everyone has taken the opportunity to have their say in the future of this country. I have never followed an election process so closely. Obama '08!


Here in my polling place in New Mexico, we have multiple precincts voting at our local elementary school. Luckily for me, my precinct was not crowded and it took about five minutes to cast my ballot. Well organized and everyone seemed to be in a good mood.


I arrived at the polls at 6:05 this morning (70th, 71st and 75th Precincts, Cuba Twp, Lake County). Note: Heavy Republican district - although these precincts have given Melissa Bean (D) a majority over the past 2 elections.

At 6:05 AM - already a line; all of the voting booths were occupied (2-3 times as many voters at this hour when compared to past election years). Line moved quickly. Plenty of election judge help on hand. Election judges WERE telling voters to read the lawsuit-mandated language regarding the Illinois Consitutional Convention.

The optical scanner used for Precincts 70 and 71 was not working, so the ballots were going into a "lockbox" instead. The optical scanner for the 75th Precinct was operational.


Here in suburban Upstate NY My husband and I voted at 9am with no lines. There was a buzz in the air and talk of high turnouts.
My son voted in Brooklyn and waited 2 hours.


Post a comment

(Anonymous comments will not be posted. Comments aren't posted immediately. They're screened for relevance to the topic, obscenity, spam and over-the-top personal attacks. We can't always get them up as soon as we'd like so please be patient. Thanks for visiting The Swamp.)

Please enter the letter "o" in the field below:

Barack Obama
Want to see more photos? Click here