These long lines waiting to vote are absurd. They really need to do something like

[still_one]

Washington does, vote by mail.

It gives people time to research the issues, and not contend with poll harassment, limited voted machines, and polling places

[Lucinda]

1. Yes, and in the meantime I am forever grateful that they are waiting to vote.

I am sick to death of people and their attempts to suppress the vote.

[still_one]

2. You and me both Lucinda. They are truely heros in my book

[Lucinda]

8. Yep. They really are.

[brer cat]

17. Amen.

It took me 10-15 minutes total. They deserve massive kudos for waiting that long.

[pnwmom]

3. Absolutely. I love vote-by-mail. I can sit at the table with my state guide,

my laptop with the progressive voters guide, and figure out the non-obvious parts (initiatives and non-partisan races).

And when I'm done, no lines at all. Later, I can check online to make sure my ballot got there, and it always has.

[still_one]

6. I am in California and we permanately vote by mail if we want, or in person. I have

been voting by mail for years, and you are right, its great

[Andy823]

13. Exactly!

I sat at my desk on a Sunday morning and filled mine out, dropped in the mail the next day, and don't have to worry about long lines. Before Washington went to mail in ballots, I didn't have to wait very long to vote, but I still like doing it by mail. I read where they figure Washington will get about 80% of the ballots sent back. I hope it's much better.

[Thrill]

4. It's done like that to discourage voting

Got to get Repukes out of state legislatures

[pnwmom]

5. Yes, it's deliberate voter suppression.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512588604

[LisaM]

7. I hate vote by mail.

I live in Washington. I detest it. And thousands of ballots end up not counted.

[still_one]

9. Why is that. I am in California, and by law all mail in ballots MUST be counted or

a reason will be given. In fact, you can check online

[LisaM]

11. There isn't always time to fix it.

And not everyone has computers, yes, even in this day and age.

[still_one]

12. California gives you a choice. You want to go to the polls, go for it. You want to vote

by mail go for it

[pat_k]

21. These types of objections were thoroughly addressed here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512534961

[LisaM]

23. I just don't like it. And I don't think it's right to have to pay.

I actually do drop my ballot off, but Seattle does not have very many places to do so. I enjoyed going to vot e in person. It pisses me off that they took it away from me.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

27. Have you considered moving?

Maybe to a state, such as New York or Pennsylvania that has zero early voting option, so you get the warm and fuzzy experience of standing in long, long, long lines on election day?

Really, give it a try. Maybe then paying for postage to mail your ballot will seem trivial.

[pnwmom]

14. You can always drop it into an official box if you want to, or even vote in person

at limited locations.

If provisional ballots don't end up being counted, that's not because of vote by mail.

Why do you hate it?

[Akamai]

10. Oregon too has vote by mail and it's so convenient!! Wouldn't do it any other way!!

[duncang]

15. This is why down ballot and off years are so important. GOTV

I was glad to hear President Obama may be looking at helping out the off year and down ballot voting after he leaves office. Hopefully we can get more early voting time, polling places, vote by mail, restrictive voter lawsm and control to stop voter purges.

[Awsi Dooger]

25. I'm worried that several states may do something

And not in the favorable direction. I guarantee GOP strategists were disgusted by Cardenas Market last night and have already discussed remedies, in Nevada and elsewhere.

Early vote is 1 hour at a port a pit.

[elleng]

26. Yes, but too many 'theys' would have to decide to make voting rational.

I'm not betting that it will happen.