My early voting experience - weird and somewhat disconcerting

[Richardo]

I voted on Tuesday, and presented my drivers' license to the polling guy. (Did not have my voter reg card with me, but that's OK in Texas for early voting.)

Me: "Here's my ID" (Name on ID is "Richardo Thomas Lastname")
Poll Guy (looks at it, punches keyboard): "Mr. Lastname?"
Me: "Yes."
Poll Guy: "Edward Lastname?"
Me: (puzzled, as he is looking right at my ID) "No. Richardo Lastname"
Poll Guy: "Still at 1234 Oak St?"
Me: (still puzzled - he has the right street but the wrong address and is still looking right at my ID): "No. 2345 Oak St."
Poll Guy: "OK Sign here." (Printer spits out sticker with my correct name and address and precinct number.)

Was that some kind of test to see if I knew what was on my ID? Or was this guy marginally qualified to work at a polling place?

(BTW there were 30 machines there and ALL were in use :thumbsup:)

[XanaDUer]

1. They did the same in FL

They let me vote anyway.

[LightTheMatch]

2. it's for updating your address

The only reason they ask you this is so they can let you update your address when you vote early, if you need to.

[ixion]

3. It's a typical 'id check' trick

to see if you're using a fake ID. I don't know if I would get to freaked out about it. When I was checking ID's in bars I'd use similar questions.

[Richardo]

4. The weird thing is that if you had your voter reg card they did NOT check

...photo ID. :shrug:

[PDittie]

5. That is correct

I don't know if there are GOP (or for that matter, Democratic) poll watchers at early voting locations (weren't any at mine, at the Fiesta on Kirby, because I asked the election judge) but the volunteers working the polling place DO verify certain ID data, presumably at random.

I presented my light blue voter registration card, and was asked my DOB.

I'm glad they are doing this, incidentally. I believe we have as secure a process in TX as can be had (and until the vendors of e-voting machines are required by law to reveal their source code, this will continue to be as good as it gets).

[Richardo]

6. Everything went smoothly - only voted in 10 of 49 races, though

(I don't vote in uncontested races, or for Libertarians.)

That's not the two-party system I learned about in civics class. :eyes:

[billyoc]

7. wow, that's a lot of uncontesteds

what part of the country are you in?

on edit: Doh! I see you're in TX. :/

[Richardo]

8. Harris County, Texas

Many many uncontested races for State Legislature, Judges, JPs etc. :eyes: :puke: