Diebold Machine and General Voting Report

[beachmom]

Hi guys,

Today started early for me (and Fedup) -- 4:15 AM so I could get over to a precinct to make sure the Machines hadn't been tampered with. I am very confident that they were not. The poll workers were a little curious why I was there (there was no Republican counterpart), and one was ever so slightly annoyed that my verifying numbers was slowing them down (in his defense, they really needed to make sure everything was ready in time). After the poll opened, I waited to watch a couple of voters to make sure they had no problem voting on the machines, and it appeared everything was running smoothly. I went outside to find a nice couple manning the Democratic greeter side, and a cordial Republican, who came only with an Allen sign (no congressional candidate sign).

There were more glitches at my home precinct. My hubby still hasn't voted because there was a long line, in part due to there being a disparagement between A-L and M-Z voter roles. Those with the latter last names cruised right through, while the others had to wait a long time. I will continue to make sure my better half casts his very first American vote, but were I not his wife, I think he would have just skipped it. The second glitch was that the signs supposedly left by the Democratic opener were GONE. I'm just speaking of allegations here, but it does appear that the Republicans stole our damned signs!! WTF!! I called Webb headquarters, and they asked me to fetch more signs (one from my yard, one I just stole -- hey they told me to do it!) and put them up. Since voters will be there all day, hopefully, the signs will stay put. There is no greeter at my precinct -- I guess they couldn't have one at every precinct.

For some reason, replacing those signs just made me so happy. Before I started volunteering for the Democrats, I would have noticed the lack of signs and thought -- those Democrats need to get their act together!! Now, that I'm a "neighborhood Democrat", I could solve the problem within an hour. Makes me think fondly back to my Grandpa who was the precinct captain for the Dems in a working class neighborhood in Pittsfield, Mass, and a delegate for JFK '60.

EVERYONE I know is voting for Webb (we're talking Bush voters!). I am very confident we will be nabbing a new Senate seat for the Dems. Of course, we'll have to wait and see after the votes are counted, but I feel very optimistic.

I'll follow up with an evening report of the Diebold Machines after 7 PM.

[fedupinBushcountry]

1. Hey Beachmom

I'm home for a bit of a break and voted on my way home.

Like you they didn't seem pleased to have me watching over their every move this a.m. One machine would not print so they had to shut it down a guy from Diebold came about 830 and fixed it and did not touch the memory card. The woman at one point told me I would have to move out of the way and I said well I'm sorry but I have my directions and I must be able to see the blue tape before it is removed, the younger guy was very helpful to me once I said that.

I saw no other problems but one black gentleman was quite upset about something while he was voting and I think it was about the 3 questions being asked and he did not understand them , but he voted. The turnout has been great over 600 by 10 o'clock. I did see a lot of people punching Webb and Kellam you can just tell after awhile by where they are on the ballot. The woman said she expects TV crews there later in the day and I said why, and she said because the turnout is so good. She said during the primary they only had 139 people vote. This precinct has 3,600 registered voters and is on Kempsville right past Centerville. Also, all ages, many African Americans are showing up to vote. I would say women outnumber the men.

Speaking of signs I to noticed on my way out that 3 of my signs were gone, I will be looking for more on my way back. I had them right up front, and of course I noticed more Allen, Drake when I came out. God they are so sleazy, I mean come on a sign.

So crossing my fingers, should be interesting to get those final numbers tonight.

[beachmom]

2. Excellent work, Fedup! I have one more anecdote

When I came back with the signs, and was walking toward the precinct, an African American woman saw me and said, "You go girl!". That was just so wonderful to hear! There is so much hope among Democrats. It's GOT to happen for us this time.

[wisteria]

3. Thanks for checking in! Guard those signs!! Good luck!! n/t