A question for anyone who is higher up on the organizational ladder

[Madam Mossfern]

for this election. Is the Obama campaign doing anything for those who are waiting on long lines, like providing water or an energy bar or holding their place on line if they have to use the bathroom?

I thought of this a week or so ago, but assume that the campaign may have this in place already.

[trof]

1. How to Start a Party at the Polls

You can do this while you're waiting in line yourself, you can come back after you've voted, or you can go to other polling places in your area where you hear there are long lines. Here are some ways you can make the wait easier and more fun for voters:
* Bring water, food, snacks. A lot of people might not have realized how long they'd have to wait. A little food and water can help give people the energy they need to power through. Cook something the night before, buy some bottled water to share. Healthy snacks are good, but you can also use the opportunity to get rid of extra Halloween candy.

* Bring some folding chairs. Some people may need a break from standing; you can give them somewhere to sit.

* Rain? Bring umbrellas, ponchos, plastic bags. Help people stay dry.

* Tell jokes, juggle, provide some other kind of entertainment. Are you a comedian, dancer, or street performer of some kind? Put on a show! Make sure it's family-friendly.

* Play some music or bring a boombox. Play an instrument? Bring it to the polls and play some songs. Bring a boombox. Take requests. Avoid music that might be offensive or abrasive to some people. Keep in mind that not everyone may like your music, so pay attention to how people are reacting; you don't want to drive anyone away.

* Be prepared to cover up campaign t-shirts, buttons, etc. Some places have rules against campaigning within 100 feet of the polls. Wearing a t-shirt or button can be considered a form of campaigning, so if you're wearing gear from a particular candidate, be prepared to cover it up or change into different clothes if someone asks you to.

* Above all, have fun, and spread it around. Help everyone out, not just people supporting your candidate. This is about making sure everyone has the right to vote. Voters disagree on many issues, but we should all be able to agree that participation in our democracy is an exciting thing. Help bring a festive spirit to the polling place.
Please let us know what you plan on doing, and read our tips for making sure we do this in a responsible and inclusive way. It just takes a minute:

[abburdlen]

2. I read over at 538

"We asked about the insanely long lines, and whether that would hamper voting. First, we learned, Barack Obama has "Comfort Teams," which are all volunteer forces who don't campaign, but simply bring water, hot chocolate and snacks. "No campaigning, no materials," Adelman said, just making sure the people who have to wait in long lines aren't hungry or thirsty. "

But there isn't anything stopping people from doing this on their own. Grab that left over Halloween candy and thank the folks already waiting in line.

[TornadoTN]

3. Here in Eastern Tennessee, our HQ is providing food and entertainment

At least in areas with heavy Democratic turnout. We are sending people out to all of our precincts to report on lines and then dispatching people accordingly.