Tue Dec 12, 2017, 11:42 AM

Line to vote in Birmingham at 6:45 AM

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49 replies	Author	Time	Post
Line to vote in Birmingham at 6:45 AM (Original post)	marylandblue	Dec 2017	OP
K&R	stonecutter357	Dec 2017	#1
Thank you, voters	peacebuzzard	Dec 2017	#2
Well...thank you if	Perseus	Dec 2017	#10
To me, I see an image of predominantly wage earners	peacebuzzard	Dec 2017	#12
Great to see,	volstork	Dec 2017	#3
The only concern I have is will their vote count - be suppressed - be discounted because of	Liberal In Red State	Dec 2017	#4
Just hoping these are Doug Jones voters!	Grammy23	Dec 2017	#5
Birmingham is Jones territory	marylandblue	Dec 2017	#33
Didn't I read or hear that Alabama	PoindexterOglethorpe	Dec 2017	#6
Yes you did.	Ligyron	Dec 2017	#8
They tried to close a lot of DL registration sites as well	bigbrother05	Dec 2017	#13
Early results . . .	Sam McGee	Dec 2017	#7
Isn't that Anniston? My daughter and many of her friends will vote Dem	bigbrother05	Dec 2017	#11
That looks great!	NastyRiffraff	Dec 2017	#9
Do you know if those lines exist all over the state?	Jim__	Dec 2017	#14
Sorry I don't, line counts are really anecdotal but they are encouraging	marylandblue	Dec 2017	#15
This looks so ridiculous . We in Oregon sit in our warm house with a pencil and a stamp on a ballot	geretogo	Dec 2017	#16
Hey, I enjoy voting in person.	Codeine	Dec 2017	#17
As a neighbor to the north, I fully agree	Rural_Progressive	Dec 2017	#39
Why is there a line? ...	aggiesal	Dec 2017	#18
I think it's just the Senate special election	marylandblue	Dec 2017	#21
How long does it take to make 1 vote? ...	aggiesal	Dec 2017	#22
I've waited on lines like that in deep blue urban or suburban areas in blue states	marylandblue	Dec 2017	#24
I have to vote in a big Baptist church.	House of Roberts	Dec 2017	#35
I waited almost 3 hours to vote for Obama in a blue city in a blue state	IronLionZion	Dec 2017	#40
I live in San Diego ...	aggiesal	Dec 2017	#41
It's all Democrats here, I doubt Dems would intentionally screw Dems	IronLionZion	Dec 2017	#43
Misconception ...	aggiesal	Dec 2017	#44
I think the photo was from 6:45am. The polls were probably not open yet.	JustABozoOnThisBus	Dec 2017	#27
I think that was before the polling place opened	csziggy	Dec 2017	#34
Is there anyone out there who wonders why Tuesday is always voting day?	YOHABLO	Dec 2017	#19
It's written in the Constitution for federal elections	marylandblue	Dec 2017	#20
Is it?	moose65	Dec 2017	#29
You are correct, I misremembered what I once knew	marylandblue	Dec 2017	#31
There is something, somewhere about elections for any federal position ...	aggiesal	Dec 2017	#42
what time do polls close in AL?	getagrip_already	Dec 2017	#23
7 PM Central close, don't know how long it takes to report	marylandblue	Dec 2017	#25
They don't seem real happy, though. n/t	SpankMe	Dec 2017	#26
I'm an ogre in mornings until I have my first cup of coffee	marylandblue	Dec 2017	#28
LOL, love that cuo.	iluvtennis	Dec 2017	#38
The usual shortage of machines?? (wink wink!!)	Bengus81	Dec 2017	#30
Well, both pictures were taken before the polls opened	marylandblue	Dec 2017	#32
Let us hope	Plucketeer	Dec 2017	#36
Thanks for sharing the photo - love it	iluvtennis	Dec 2017	#37
WTG Alabama!	Wounded Bear	Dec 2017	#45
I DO NOT TWEET	roomtomove	Dec 2017	#46
I don't tweet either, you should be able to see the photo	marylandblue	Dec 2017	#47
The link requires me to log in as a twit....	roomtomove	Dec 2017	#48
Sorry, I don't know what the problem is	marylandblue	Dec 2017	#49

Response to marylandblue (Original post)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 12:19 PM

stonecutter357 (12,459 posts)

1. K&R

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Response to marylandblue (Original post)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 12:23 PM

peacebuzzard (4,726 posts)

2. Thank you, voters

We need you.

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Response to peacebuzzard (Reply #2)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 01:07 PM

Perseus (4,341 posts)

10. Well...thank you if

they are voting for Jones...

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Response to Perseus (Reply #10)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 01:22 PM

peacebuzzard (4,726 posts)

12. To me, I see an image of predominantly wage earners

I could be wrong, but at 0645 am, these voters have elsewhere to go, but they are out there, in the cold, and on a mission.
I see a line of people who want something better than what they have been getting.
I can hope it is for Jones.

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Response to marylandblue (Original post)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 12:30 PM

volstork (5,240 posts)

3. Great to see,

but I'm sure the pubes will find a way to cheat out a win.

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Response to marylandblue (Original post)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 12:31 PM

Liberal In Red State (433 posts)

4. The only concern I have is will their vote count - be suppressed - be discounted because of

provisional ballots. They will try to shut down the minority turnout or suppress it by some method. It is ok longer enough to just get in line and vote - how to be sure your voted is counted and counted correctly is the key

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Response to marylandblue (Original post)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 12:34 PM

Grammy23 (5,741 posts)

5. Just hoping these are Doug Jones voters!

And that there are similar lines around the state. Please, Jones voters! Be patient and prepared to stand in line. This is too important to leave it to chance. Vote like your vote matters more than ever!!

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Response to Grammy23 (Reply #5)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 03:45 PM

marylandblue (12,344 posts)

33. Birmingham is Jones territory

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Response to marylandblue (Original post)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 12:35 PM

PoindexterOglethorpe (23,956 posts)

6. Didn't I read or hear that Alabama

has greatly reduced the number of voting sites?

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Response to PoindexterOglethorpe (Reply #6)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 12:47 PM

Ligyron (6,904 posts)

8. Yes you did.

Especially in counties with large AA populations (cause it's like that there - segregated alot).

Sec of State bragged about it too.

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Response to PoindexterOglethorpe (Reply #6)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 01:25 PM

bigbrother05 (5,995 posts)

13. They tried to close a lot of DL registration sites as well

with no ID or place to vote, they get the representation the pale folks want

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Response to marylandblue (Original post)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 12:39 PM

Sam McGee (347 posts)

7. Early results . . .

Around 10:30 AM EST, Dec 12, I talked with my four Alabama relatives. All of them voted first thing, as soon as polls opened. They reported their votes:

Three voted for Doug Jones
One wrote in Luther Strange

They are in rural Calhoun County (where they may be the only Democrats and the only people with full sets of their own teeth).

Let's pray this momentum continues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Response to Sam McGee (Reply #7)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 01:22 PM

bigbrother05 (5,995 posts)

11. Isn't that Anniston? My daughter and many of her friends will vote Dem

but not her Ex & family

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Response to marylandblue (Original post)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 12:54 PM

NastyRiffraff (12,448 posts)

9. That looks great!

Sending good wishes to Alabama from Maryland!

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Response to marylandblue (Original post)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 01:40 PM

Jim__ (13,642 posts)

14. Do you know if those lines exist all over the state?

Or are there long lines mostly in Democratic districts because those district are short on voting machines, etc?

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Response to Jim__ (Reply #14)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 01:52 PM

marylandblue (12,344 posts)

15. Sorry I don't, line counts are really anecdotal but they are encouraging

Lines are usually longer In Democratic areas across the country, but still I thought it was positive that people lined up early. Did come across another long line in a suburban democratic area

:large

Link to tweet

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Response to marylandblue (Original post)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 02:07 PM

geretogo (1,268 posts)

16. This looks so ridiculous . We in Oregon sit in our warm house with a pencil and a stamp on a ballot

envelope . I wished the rest of the country could up grade to 21st century voting .

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Response to geretogo (Reply #16)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 02:13 PM

Codeine (25,586 posts)

17. Hey, I enjoy voting in person.

It's a nice little ritual, and as close to a "sacred" duty as I will ever perform. My wife won't hear of it and votes absentee, which is very easy to arrange in California.

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Response to geretogo (Reply #16)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 06:24 PM

Rural_Progressive (965 posts)

39. As a neighbor to the north, I fully agree

Not only do we get to sit at home, consult with those more politically aware than we are as we fill out our ballot, we also get to put our ballots into nifty little ballot kiosks down in front of our city hall, police station, and library "mall". Doesn't even cost a stamp to be a participating citizen.

I agree, the rest of the of the country should catch up with the Pacific Northwest.

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Response to marylandblue (Original post)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 02:14 PM

aggiesal (7,752 posts)

18. Why is there a line? ...

Are there limited number of voting booths at this precinct?
How big is the ballot?
Basically, how many elections are being voted on?

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Response to aggiesal (Reply #18)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 02:25 PM

marylandblue (12,344 posts)

21. I think it's just the Senate special election

But turnout is relatively high. Usually it is 20% for specials, they predicted 25% this morning based on today's trend.

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Response to marylandblue (Reply #21)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 02:31 PM

aggiesal (7,752 posts)

22. How long does it take to make 1 vote? ...

Is there only 1 voting booth at these precincts?

After last nights voting ballot stay by the Alabama Supreme Court,
I don't trust anything that the voting officials do.

There is something wrong. I have no proof, just a gut feeling.

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Response to aggiesal (Reply #22)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 02:40 PM

marylandblue (12,344 posts)

24. I've waited on lines like that in deep blue urban or suburban areas in blue states

Blue urban precincts have more people in them, and if they don't predict turnout correctly, they don't send enough booths, machines and poll workers. On the other hand I never had to walk or drive more than 5 minutes to get to the polls. But in sparsely populated areas, the issue is how far you have to go to get to the polls, so they have to have at least one machine for large empty area.

Not to discount that they actually do send too few machines to democratic areas in red states. But democrats are fired up this year, they are willing to wait.

Go Doug Jones!

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Response to aggiesal (Reply #22)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 03:55 PM

House of Roberts (4,502 posts)

35. I have to vote in a big Baptist church.

It's done in a big room. You go up to a folding table with your portion of the alphabet your last name starts with. They have you sign the register and hand you back your ID and your ballot. You go sit at a table and mark it, then on your way out, you feed it into the tabulator. It takes very little time if you vote in a red precinct.
I don't see why there should be long lines outside anywhere with so many churches here in Alabama.

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Response to aggiesal (Reply #22)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 06:38 PM

IronLionZion (41,438 posts)

40. I waited almost 3 hours to vote for Obama in a blue city in a blue state

cities tend to have long lines for voting. There's only so many polling places they can put in a geographic area and Dems encourage our voters to vote early. So it can be crowded in the morning before work. But I also walked to my polling place.

It's less of a wait in rural areas but they have to drive and it's more spread out.

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Response to IronLionZion (Reply #40)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 07:14 PM

aggiesal (7,752 posts)

41. I live in San Diego ...

It took me about 5 minutes to walk in, sign the book, get my ballot, fill it out & slide in the box, get my "I voted" sticker and leave.
If you're waiting in a line that long, it was intentional.
Someone, somewhere in your county wanted it that way.

I believe waiting 30 minutes is a problem, so waiting 3 hours is definitely a problem.

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Response to aggiesal (Reply #41)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 07:26 PM

IronLionZion (41,438 posts)

43. It's all Democrats here, I doubt Dems would intentionally screw Dems

More likely they didn't adequately plan for Obama's record breaking turnout.

Isn't San Diego controlled by Republicans? They might want to screw over Dems.

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Response to IronLionZion (Reply #43)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 07:44 PM

aggiesal (7,752 posts)

44. Misconception ...

San Diego used to be run by Conservatives, but
the city of SD is predominately democratic, while the
suburbs used to lean conservative, democrats now
outnumber them in registration. A small lead like 51-49.

The problem we have is that the ROV is run by Republicans.
Our Registrar of Voters is Michael Vu, the architect to the mess
in Cleveland during the Kerry/Bush election.

Vu tries everything his can to keep from anyone auditing their
the results.

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Response to aggiesal (Reply #18)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 02:44 PM

JustABozoOnThisBus (22,575 posts)

27. I think the photo was from 6:45am. The polls were probably not open yet.

Many people have to vote fast, then get to work.

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Response to aggiesal (Reply #18)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 03:50 PM

csziggy (33,778 posts)

34. I think that was before the polling place opened

I'm not sure about Alabama but here in Florida the polling places open at 7 AM. People could have been lining up to be in line to vote as soon as the polling place opened and to vote as early as possible, before work.

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Response to marylandblue (Original post)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 02:19 PM

YOHABLO (7,358 posts)

19. Is there anyone out there who wonders why Tuesday is always voting day?

Soooo inconvenient

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Response to YOHABLO (Reply #19)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 02:22 PM

marylandblue (12,344 posts)

20. It's written in the Constitution for federal elections

They picked a market day after harvest was over but before winter to make it easier for everyone. Now we try to make it harder

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Response to marylandblue (Reply #20)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 03:32 PM

moose65 (2,871 posts)

29. Is it?

I don’t think it’s actually IN the Constitution. I have searched and I can’t find it, but I did find reference to a federal law from 1845 that standardized federal elections. If it’s a law, it could be changed. The reason we vote on Tuesday is because at that time, it might take an entire day for people (well, men) to travel to the county seat for voting, and they didn’t want men traveling on Sunday! Now, of course, those reasons are ridiculous.

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Response to moose65 (Reply #29)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 03:42 PM

marylandblue (12,344 posts)

31. You are correct, I misremembered what I once knew

So, yes Congress can change it.

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Response to YOHABLO (Reply #19)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 07:21 PM

aggiesal (7,752 posts)

42. There is something, somewhere about elections for any federal position ...

i.e. Congress (House or Senate) and President are held the
1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday, in November.
So if November 1 is a Tuesday, then the election is the following
week after the 1st Monday.

As for special elections, the state and counties decide.
I don't know why they pick Tuesday.

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Response to marylandblue (Original post)

Tue Dec 12, 2017, 02:39 PM

getagrip_already (10,158 posts)