2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forum*******Tell us about your voting experience today************
Where did you vote? (city, state)
What is turnout like?
Is it a Dem or Rep area?
Thank you!!
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)book_worm
(15,951 posts)pstokely
(10,649 posts)in MO no trump poll watchers here
book_worm
(15,951 posts)aaaaaa5a
(4,672 posts)I live in a north suburb of Indianapolis, IN. This suburb is traditionally a very Republican area. Overwhelmingly white. Very Professional. However with the high number of college degrees that make up the area, I hope the Democrats have a chance here. Saturday in my neighborhood, a volunteer for the Clinton campaign came by my house to remind me to vote. (No problem there!)
Turnout was heavy. The polls open at 6AM. I was there right at opening time. The line was already long. People were arriving at 5:45. Maybe even 5:30. It took approximately an hour and 15 minutes to vote. The voting process was smooth. Although we had several people complain about the long line and wait. No poll watchers.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Thanks fo rthe report.
Cha
(304,237 posts)we are 5 hours behind the East Coast here.
Mahalo, book_worm
book_worm
(15,951 posts)DeminPennswoods
(16,060 posts)Last edited Tue Nov 8, 2016, 10:57 AM - Edit history (1)
A red precinct in an increasing red-voting, but majority Dem reg, Beaver County PA. There was a line, but voting was smooth, short ballot, in and out once at the machine. I was voter 155 at 7:25. Not much talking or smiling going on while I was in line.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)DeminPennswoods
(16,060 posts)They were at voter 179 around 9:30AM. That's 179 of 956 total registered voters (480D, 371R, 105NP). There was no line when I stopped by.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)Line a little longer than past Presidential. Wonderful poll workers and everyone was on their best behavior. 35 minutes.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Princess Turandot
(4,823 posts)There was a very healthy turnout. I'm in a majority democratic immediate area, part of a large housing complex. (PBO won ~84% of Manhattan overall in 2012, and 63% of NYS.)
book_worm
(15,951 posts)randome
(34,845 posts)One of the touchscreen machines was already discovered to be malfunctioning. Guy got on the phone and demanded someone fix it immediately. All seems well here.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.[/center][/font][hr]
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Thanks for your comments.
randome
(34,845 posts)Shame about the Missouri legislature, though. Hopefully we can change that today.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.[/center][/font][hr]
moose65
(3,275 posts)I'm in Watauga County, NC, which has more unaffiliated voters than Dem or Rep. Home to a university, fairly progressive area, but a dot of blue in a larger red sea. We had several early voting sites, and I walked right in and didn't have to wait at all. I really can't imagine having to wait for even 30 minutes! Friends of mine who voted early this morning said that the precinct was packed (it's at a local fire department).
As an aside, I don't really understand why there's no push for Early Voting in solid blue states like Pennsylvania and New York. I get the "Election Day Feeling" thing, but it just seems like Early Voting is such a great idea, especially in populated areas like Philly and NYC. It would take the pressure off on Election Day!
I hope everyone has a great day! We've GOT this!!
book_worm
(15,951 posts)TheBlackAdder
(28,810 posts).
They have enough voting machines, tables for separate voting districts within the township, multiple workers per table.
The voting place looked like a church letting out. Constant flow of cars in and out, every second or two.
Some of the districts have a 1-2 minute queue. Mine had no wait.
.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)tallahasseedem
(6,716 posts)I had the same experience! Hell, it could have been the same place!
TheBlackAdder
(28,810 posts)tallahasseedem
(6,716 posts)indigovalley
(190 posts)I am in Minnesota in a small town of about 30,000. I got to the polls before 7 am and there was already a line. I'd estimate at least 35-40 people voted in the first 15 minutes. There was a steady stream of people arriving as I left.
Bonus fun: the older woman at the table who signed me in to vote was dressed completely in white. I am sure she was a Hillary supporter. Even had white jewelry....
book_worm
(15,951 posts)campaign visit was.
Locrian
(4,523 posts)More liberal (it's a relative thing) than southern, but still pretty conservative.
Many more people of color than before! Good sign in this area.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)apnu
(8,788 posts)Turnout is as heavy as 2008.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)tallahasseedem
(6,716 posts)For days I thought I would cry after. So far, I've just been numb. I can't wait until this is over!!!
book_worm
(15,951 posts)democrank
(11,230 posts)Small, north central Vermont village
Population just over 900
Paper ballot
Political affiliation- Democrats 69%, Republicans 28%, Independents 3%
Around 8:00 this morning, voting at the town hall was moderate to brisk, mostly women....of all ages.
"I VOTED" stickers passed out, as well as large buttons with I Voted in Honor of a Veteran, with a place to fill in his/her name.
I voted in honor of my late, beloved Vietnam Vet.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Johnny2X2X
(21,394 posts)The volunteers are amazing, things were running like clockwork.
Heavy turnout in downtown Grand Rapids MI, waiting 45 minutes, I have never waited more than 10 at the same polling station. Minorities and women over represented in the lines compared to the makeup of my neighborhood.
Trump gives people no choice, vote or watch your life and your country diminished.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Fahrenthold451
(436 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)It's 8/10 women. In pants.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)To remove their hats, had to report both as they did not take my word for it that this was illegal inside the polling place.
Hawaii Hiker
(3,168 posts)(Hawaii is only a vacation destination, not residence)
Waited an hour+ in line...I'd say my area probably has slight right lean, though Allegheny County as a whole will vote Democratic....No issues at my polling place, people were smiling/talking, (no political talk)
book_worm
(15,951 posts)meow2u3
(24,899 posts)I got to the polls at about 8:30 where there was a line to vote about 15 minutes long which stretched back to the entrance door. I was the 150th person to vote so far. It looked like a purple area.
I voted for Hillary, Katie McGinty, and the straight Democratic ticket, and on the Constitutional amendment raising the retirement age of judges from 70 to 75, I voted yes. People are living longer and we have a lot more women (who live an average of 4-6 years longer than men) on the bench.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)DeminPennswoods
(16,060 posts)State Supreme Court Justice Max Baer just turned 70 and I don't want to lose the Dem majority on the court if he is forced to retire.
GoneOffShore
(17,577 posts)This from our local ward leader
"Raising the Judicial Retirement Age from 70 to 75: Vote NO. This question already was rejected in May but was invalidated by GOP leaders in Harrisburg. This version is intentionally reworded in a misleading way. Long story short, its a ploy to try to keep the PA Supreme Court led by a Republican through 2021, to ensure that post-2020 Census redistricting by the GOP-led legislature passes judicial muster. Its a scummy move, and we need to reject it."
meow2u3
(24,899 posts)We have the PA Supreme Court, including female Democrats. It would be a shame if we lost them to mandatory retirement at 70. Let them stay for another 5 years.
ronlit1
(13 posts)Huge turnout!
Went before 7 am and there was a line with hundreds of people. Decided to come back mid morning and it was even worse, ended up waiting 2 hours.
Seemed like many Trump voters, surprised as we are usually very blue.
After waiting 1 hour the voter behind me had to leave to go back to work and said that he would not be able to vote. Just spoke with my neighbor who was also unable to vote due to the long lines and having to go to work. Really wished PA had early voting!
BobbyDrake
(2,542 posts)Because I mailed my ballot in back on 9/30 and have been waiting for everyone else to catch up to me ever since.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)markbark
(1,592 posts)Civic duty performed.
Lines were long even at 6 am.
Got inside to discover only one ballot scanner was currently operating (there were supposed to be two)
The failed scanner was never put into play so there were no votes tallied on that particular machine.
Poll workers said it failed on boot up and a replacement was inbound.
Time elapsed from getting in line to actually voting was approximately 45 minutes.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Pendrench
(1,381 posts)Our son voted in his first presidential election today - enthusiastically for Hillary Clinton
Although we live in Maryland, we live in a fairly conservative county (Anne Arundel) - and turn out was heavy this morning.
Tim
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Pendrench
(1,381 posts)everyone in the room cheered for him
Tim
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)Polls opened at 6am. I got there about 6:45 and the line was all the way out the door and spilling into the totally full parking lot.
I has to go up two blocks and park on the side of the street. That the first time I ever had to do that. Heavy turnout so far and local radio reports long line in most places in the area.
Unfortunately MO is pretty red but dems are strong in KC and the other metro areas in the state so I hope the long lines are a good sign for Hillary and all the state dems on the ballot.
No armed deplorables scaring women and children either so that was a plus.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Thanks for the report!
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)bcool
(227 posts)Got in line 10 minutes after the polls opened; had to wait 45 minutes before sitting down to vote. The line moved fairly quickly because they had about 20-30 places to sit and mark your OCR ballot.
Seems more crowded than in 2008; today I was #212.
Typically a Repub district but went for Obama in '08, I think.
About 50/50 male/female, a good mix of ages.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)pstokely
(10,649 posts)the more educated types who don't really like Trump or the non-educated types who love him?
WhollyHeretic
(4,074 posts)past. I lived in a tiny town before so I never had a wait.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)still_one
(95,747 posts)book_worm
(15,951 posts)still_one
(95,747 posts)book_worm
(15,951 posts)Squaredeal
(525 posts)Huge trade union heat out the vote rally for Demorcrats this morning at county headquarters. Mostly young, white working class males in attendance.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Mad_Dem_X
(9,754 posts)Only a few people in line ahead of me (around 8:00 am). This is primarily a Dem area.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Tracer
(2,769 posts)I just voted!
There was a steady stream of people, but it was a quick in and out. 5 minutes tops.
No Trump people outside the polling place at all. Not surprising.
Paper ballots, efficient poll workers. Nice.
Trump you are going down!!
book_worm
(15,951 posts)bluegopher
(93 posts)No line whatsoever. I walked right up. My district leans right, but went for Obama both times. I'm really hoping Terri Bonoff can knock off Paulsen.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)a neighbor in the long line told her the table inside for surnames beginning with A through ? had no line, so she should just go in, which she did. A bit later on in the alphabet people weren't so fortunate.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)kwolf68
(7,730 posts)LOTS of
OLD
WHITE
people. I'm in my late 40s so I guess that counts me.
Turnout was huge, more than 2012.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)A lot oldvwhite people are clinton suppoters. My mom is 89 years old and she insisted on voting in person. My dad and I discussed theprobability of Hillary running and he said he would vote for her. He died at 88 before he got that chance. He would have been appalled at Donald Trump. He WOULD be giving hell to his couple of kids voting for Trump. Not that they've admit to it - an admission conspicuous by its absence.
GoneOffShore
(17,577 posts)Turnout higher than I've ever seen here. Higher than 2008 & 2012.
I was #394 in Div 17 and there were at least 60 people behind me. Waited about 20 minutes. Lots of women.
Asked the poll workers for Div 15 which votes in the same place how it was going because they had no line. They said they had had over 250 people through.
Waiting time at one polling place a couple of blocks over is 2 hours.
All the polling places in this area are busy.
No Trumpanzees showing, nor signs outside the poll. There were Hillary and Katie McGinty signs.
Reliably Democratic neighborhood.
Mrs GoS will be voting later, and take our 13 year old goddaughter with her.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)BklnDem75
(2,918 posts)Line wasn't as bad as 2008. Place was crowded, but didn't wait long. Voted, jumped on the train and made it to work before 9. Easy Breezy.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)TheLibIn615
(61 posts)20-minute line, probably in part due to the down- downballot stuff.
Extremely blue neighborhood in a very blue county. Unfortunately there's no hope for the state this year (I'm trying!). But I will be goddamned if I tell my grandchildren one day that I sat this one out, even in a the dark red parallelogram that is Tennessee.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)nini
(16,690 posts).. inside the polling place. The voter told me to go to hell I told him to fuck off as he walked his stinky ass by me.
ahhhh nice way to start my day. Good thing Mr. white trash will be pissed off as hell later in the day and I won't.
But I got to vote for an extremely qualified woman for president and it's a beautiful day!
There was a line of about 20 or so. A bit heavier than normal for presidential election. I live in a Democratic area - there was only one booth for a republican in the primary.
Great day to be an American!!!
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)Hopefully he will be cryin in his beer for the next four years starting tonight!
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Silent3
(15,909 posts)Cars parked all up and down the street overflowing from the parking lot, even at 9:45 when I figured the vote-before-work crowd would be mostly finished.
Every year our local elections are fast and efficient, however, no matter how big the turnout. I wish for the rest of the country it worked that way, because that's the way voting should be!
displacedtexan
(15,696 posts)We walked around the corner to turn in our huge completed ballots at the back door of a neighborhood church.
30 people in line at 7:25 AM because one of the voting machines had been set up incorrectly, and they had to wait for an official voting machine person to come and fix it.
We got to go right in and put our sealed ballots in the ballot box. We got our stickers and walked home with a neighbor, who decided to try again later.
treestar
(82,383 posts)no lines there never are there.
Seemed busy, lot of people coming and going.
There was a line of about three men who I wondered if they might be Dumpf watchers but one handed me a flyer for the Democratic candidate for state senate. He has no opposition!
However the Republican running usually unopposed for state assembly representative has this time and in 2014 had a green challenger. It's the same guy. Voted for the Green for the second time.
IamTheNoodle
(98 posts)Told lines were much longer earlier the morning (no surprise). No Dems outside handing out voter suggestion cards though, which is a first, normally someone is out there every election with the cards on who/what to vote for. :-/
book_worm
(15,951 posts)shopgirl
(23 posts)and I'll vote after work. Since Hillary's got Massachusetts, my vote won't matter much. However, my older sister, who hasn't voted in 30 years, despises Trump so much that she is voting this year for Hillary. The good news is she lives in New Hampshire
The Polack MSgt
(13,398 posts)Corn wheat and soybean are the scenery out here.
Ran into my son at the polls, we were both there to vote on the way to work. Not a long line but filling up fast.
They had a stack of the "I Voted" stickers on a table by the exit, so I grabbed 3 for the obligatory Illinois Democrat joke.
STLDEM
(7 posts)There was no line for my precinct but there are four precincts at my polling location and the other precincts had lines out the door. I lucked up. I was the 548th person to insert my ballot in the machine. The process went smoothly. There were no poll watchers. I chose a paper ballot because I don't trust the electronic machines.
prarie deem
(115 posts)I was thrilled as I live in the most Republican part of this blue state. I was hoping the old white people would stay home. We vote in someone's garage 1/2 mile from my house - but it was packed. On off year elections probably less than 200 people vote. 293 had voted at 10:00 a.m. this morning.
There was no wait and this old white person went in and voted a straight democratic ticket. I always get upset because per usual, five categories did not even have a democrat running. So - I left them blank rather than voting for the Repub. We need to at least have candidates.
spinbaby
(15,187 posts)A blue dot in a sea of red. Three-minute wait to vote mid morning.
Runningdawg
(4,584 posts)This was only the 2nd time we have voted at this location. I thought there was a good turnout for the primaries and it was much larger today. Its a Democratic neighborhood, one of the few in Tulsa.
My husband had an issue with the machine that took his completed ballot. It got stuck and shut down the machine. I got to witness the procedure for removing it and having him do it over again. The entire process took about 20 minutes. I can only imagine how that might have played out if we were voting in Trump territory.
Vinca
(50,860 posts)This is probably the bluest area of New Hampshire, right next to Vermont. Lots of people standing amongst the Hillary signs outside and 1 poor woman holding fort with the Republican signs. Sometimes we get exit pollsters, but I didn't see any this time around.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)renate
(13,776 posts)We had plenty of time to go through the voters' pamphlet and make our decisions carefully.
If we'd done it earlier I could have put the ballots in the mailbox, which I suppose is like being in line for 20 seconds, but I drove them to a dropoff box where there were election workers waiting to take them through the car window, so... in line for 30 seconds. Easy peasy.
I love Oregon and voting by mail.
JudyM
(29,491 posts)More rethug poll watchers inside than I'd ever seen.
We had more volunteers outside though, FWIW.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)1. Virginia Beach, VA
2. Fair turnout, less than I'd expected but I eventually learned that I arrived after a huge mass of humanity already voted (7:30)
3. Heavy (70/30) Republican precinct...
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Bobbie Jo
(14,341 posts)Southern Indiana- reddest of red districts.
Took my lunch hour to drive 7 miles to my polling place. Walked right in (ID checked-hate this) and cast a straight Democratic ballot A friend of mine working the poll told me that the line was out the door first thing this morning. This was the first lull in the action today.
I cried a little on the way out to my car. Let's make history today!
Go Hill!
femmocrat
(28,394 posts)Small rural precinct in western PA ("trumpland" . No line. I went right in and signed the book and went to the machine. Easy peasy!
They had 3 machines instead of two. I was #347 at noon, which seems like high turnout for here. Lots of trump signs lining the road to the polling place. One Hillary sign at the polling place. I wore white!
July
(4,765 posts)Never had lines for my previous votes in this precinct.
All ages, many elderly people, several couples with babies, a number of dogs, apparently many ethnicities, though the majority were white. Lots of chatter indicating strong Hillary support. Heard one older woman explaining her white outfit to another woman.
At the sign-in table there was an apparent poll watcher checking with the two poll workers every time a person signed in so that she could write the name and affiliation in a notebook.
No politicking, but I did see one couple dressed in the flag; he in a hideous sweater and she in a denim jacket adorned with flag and star appliques. I guess they were patrioticker than the rest of us.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Siwsan
(27,222 posts)A long line for the other precinct at my poling place, but I was able to walk right in. It was 9 am. Apparently the rush for my precinct had just ended. I was #110. During the mid-terms I've voted in the afternoon and my number was far, far lower so I think the turn out will be good.
I'm in a heavily Democratic area. 4 of the township positions and 5 of the county positions were on the ballot with no GOP candidates.
IrishEyes
(3,275 posts)I went to the polling place at around 6:15 am and I was out in about 15 minutes or so. There were about 20 people there not including the people working. I only had to wait a couple of minutes. I live in a more republican area of NYC. There are a lot of older, white, religious people. I saw a bunch of people walking toward the polling place when I left.
Everyone was talking about voting at work. Most of the people I work with had long lines but they all waited between 30 minutes to an hour to vote this morning. One man gave up and is voting after work. Some of my colleagues are voting after work. One guy admitted that he did not register to vote. I counted the "I Voted" stickers that people were wearing on my way to work and there were 30.
I think high voter turnout is good anywhere. The more people that vote, the better chance that Trump will lose badly.
pansypoo53219
(21,632 posts)tiny line, but a table full or registering hispanics. i have met many puerto ricans in milw. go figure. TACO TRUCKS.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(151,722 posts)Our local voting place is in a community room at a local church down the block. It's in Manhattan Beach, CA.
The turnout was better than I've ever seen it!
Lots of folks voting. One official told me that when they opened at 7 A.M. the line was into the parking lot. I was voter #166 at my table, and the other table had a lot more voters (I should have asked, but didn't.).
Everybody behaving, smiling, talking. No sign of "official" poll watchers. Our area is mixed D/R. And the Republicans tend to be moderate most of the time.
I saw lots of folks in blue shirts (me too!).
There was a line to get in, and a line for a voting booth. It still didn't take very long. I think I was in and out in about 10 minutes.
I feel very optimistic about the outcome!
Neema
(1,151 posts)there was only one machine and no paper ballots because they didn't expect a lot of turnout.
catbyte
(35,610 posts)Last edited Tue Nov 8, 2016, 04:32 PM - Edit history (1)
voting which was very nice to see. I moved to Lansing from Grand Rapids in June, so this was only my second time voting at this polling place. The first time was the primary, and it was MUCH slower than today. I was the 15th person in line, and the 271st person to vote, which I guess is pretty high. There were African Americans, Asian Americans Hispanics, Native American (me ), and White people. There was a mixture of ages. Everybody was friendly, polite, and seemed to be voting with purpose. I didn't see anybody who looked like a Trumpster, but you never know. There were big signs in the parking lot with "NO CAMPAIGNING BEYOND THIS POINT" printed on them, and a spacious "Poll Watcher" section, which was being used by a nice senior African American lady in a scooter waiting for her daughter to vote . It was pretty awesome, because her daughter had brought HER daughter, who looked to be about 10. I overheard them in the parking lot afterwards, and she said to her granddaughter, "Remember this day, dear. You just saw your mom and grandma help elect the first woman president, now let's get you to school!" The little girl smiled broadly. It was pretty awesome.
The weather is a tad dicey, 57F and misting rain on and off, but not bad for Michigan in November. All in all, a great polling experience.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)DeminPennswoods
(16,060 posts)County elections officlals report high turnout. One precinct had already gotten 1/4 of its 2000 RVs voted. But both the incumbent D and R challenger for the state house seat are from that particular area.
I drove past both my former and current precincts around 1PM. Neither was busy unlike this morning when there was a line at my current poll. This might be one of these high interest elections where everyone shows up to vote early in the day with few voters turning out from 4-8PM. I experienced that a couple times in Philadelphia, where we got a big crush of voters between 7 and lunch, then a trickle the rest of the day when usually there's an uptick around 4-6, then back to almost no voters when Rendell ran for governor.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)nightwing1240
(1,996 posts)The turnout was larger than expected, primarily a Re thug area but noticed several AA at the polls when we arrived. Process was simple, no thugs in sight!
Of course we were ALL proud to vote Hillary!
book_worm
(15,951 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(119,920 posts)Very much a Democratic area - Hillary signs all over the place. The polling place (the community center building at Martin Luther King Park) was busy but I didn't have to wait in line more than a few minutes. They told me that earlier in the morning the lines stretched out the door all the way to the sidewalk. I guess I hit the mid-morning lull.
There are a fair number of Somali immigrants in this area. I hope those who are eligible to vote will do so in droves. There's also a Somali refugee running for the state legislature (not my district or I'd have voted for her). She's a Democrat and she's likely to win. Take that, Trump.
helpisontheway
(5,198 posts)sons. We were finished within 5 minutes. Both of my sons voted for the first time. The ladies that checked their IDs said "First time voters!" and everyone in the room cheered. 😁
LSK
(36,846 posts)Lots of voting booths (25) in a school gymnasium. 2 min line to get ballot. Total process maybe 10 minutes.
Moostache
(10,114 posts)This was a breeze.
Poling place had approximately 40-50 "booths" (which were really just 3-panel cardboard / presentation boards at long tables with folding chairs for each "booth" . Got my ballot in under 30 seconds...they actually scan Missouri Driver's License, which I did not realize had a scanning enabled chip in it. I voted in less than 5 minutes (straight Democratic ticket with the exception of state rep district that had no Dem challenger and only an R and L...that one got a write in candidate...ME! I got a vote for state office today!) and was out the door and on my way in all under 15 minutes total, including a quick conversation with a mom of one of my kid's friends.
No issues here...other than knowing my vote for Hillary is not going to matter in red state hell East Kansas.
Too bad this district was gerrymandered to a "safe R" seat in 2010...this is the old Dick Gephardt district, but the Chrysler plant that once cemented this region is long gone now...actually razed the whole thing a few years back.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Tsiyu
(18,186 posts)Polite election officials, no line, sticker received.
Did I mention how great it felt to vote for Hillary?
Poll workers mentioned turnout was pretty good.
book_worm
(15,951 posts)Bucky
(55,334 posts)No line at all when you vote in downtown Houston at 2pm.
I swiped an extra "I voted" sticker so I could make a fun, new facebook profile picture.