hoyatables
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 2,606
|
Post by hoyatables on Nov 4, 2008 12:47:43 GMT -5
A number of us (including C2C, DrumsGoBang, and myself) were outside Charleston, SC earlier this fall. We were amused to see signs all around advertising different candidates for Coroner. So not only was Coroner an elected position, the race was fiercely contested. What's the weirdest position you've seen up for election? *Ahem* none of you would have been down there but for me! Apparently County Coroner is a South Carolina staple. Mrs. Tables and I noticed a number of signs for that position back in September as we were driving through York County SC on our way to get the marriage license. By far the strangest position I've seen. I've always loved the title of "Comptroller." |
|
Cambridge
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Canes Pugnaces
Posts: 5,304
|
Post by Cambridge on Nov 4, 2008 12:48:19 GMT -5
A number of us (including C2C, DrumsGoBang, and myself) were outside Charleston, SC earlier this fall. We were amused to see signs all around advertising different candidates for Coroner. So not only was Coroner an elected position, the race was fiercely contested. What's the weirdest position you've seen up for election? Who did you all vote for? Uri X. Pired or David O. Allenby It's actually a big problem, since the coroner is a position of considerable importance in modern murder trials. In many communities this vital testamony is given by an elected official rather than by the person most qualified. |
|
|
|
Post by Coast2CoastHoya on Nov 4, 2008 12:50:08 GMT -5
Voting in U Street-Cardozo (DC) took about an hour at 7:15 this morning---it went very smoothly. A real mix of ages, races, etc.; i.e. a good cross-section of the demographics of where I live. Lots of little kids with their parents. Some people were telling stories about the first time they voted back in the 60s, or how this was the first time they had chosen to vote. Some people were reading or playing games while waiting. Everyone seemed generally happy to be there.
DC has touch screen and paper and voters can choose. The clerk smiled approvingly when I chose to vote on paper. Another polling place about 4 blocks from mine had really long lines around the block at about 9am, but during a walk-by I didn't hear any grumblings. It seems like most people, at least in my area, have made this the day's priority.
|
|
vcjack
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,875
|
Post by vcjack on Nov 4, 2008 13:10:58 GMT -5
Very quiet atmosphere up here at the Duke Ellington School, there doesn't seem to be more than 5 non students up here at any given time. Guess it makes sense; no buisnesses around (except maybe Georgetown faculty but I haven't seen any make the trip up Resevoir), very little parking, a lot of residents within walking distance are non DC voting students etc. However I woke up at 11 so maybe there was a bum rush this morning.
|
|
PhillyHoya
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 2,016
|
Post by PhillyHoya on Nov 4, 2008 13:14:54 GMT -5
A number of us (including C2C, DrumsGoBang, and myself) were outside Charleston, SC earlier this fall. We were amused to see signs all around advertising different candidates for Coroner. So not only was Coroner an elected position, the race was fiercely contested. What's the weirdest position you've seen up for election? Coroner is a big race in parts of PA too. My county's coroner is actually my podiatrist. The weirdest race at home is for prothonotary whose duties that I know of are limited to stamping passport applications. EDIT: There is also an election for the "register of wills". Heard back from a few people. About an hour wait first thing in PA per my mom. FLHoya waited about an hour ten in Crystal City and also opted for the paper ballot. |
|
|
|
Post by AustinHoya03 on Nov 4, 2008 13:18:55 GMT -5
I voted last Tuesday at 7:40 PM. There was nobody in line. Early voting rules.
|
|
|
|
Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Nov 4, 2008 13:20:44 GMT -5
Took about 20 minutes-30minutes to vote this morning in Maryland. I got in line at 11. Was a lot faster for the primary. Looked like there were a lot of young voters. There were almost 20 voting machines at the community center I voted at. I can't believe some place only have 4? Lot's of McCain signs outside the voting place including one Huge one despeite the fact that all the houses i passed on my way walking had obama signs on their lawns.
|
|
|
|
Post by washingtonhoya on Nov 4, 2008 13:48:12 GMT -5
Very quiet atmosphere up here at the Duke Ellington School, there doesn't seem to be more than 5 non students up here at any given time. Guess it makes sense; no buisnesses around (except maybe Georgetown faculty but I haven't seen any make the trip up Resevoir), very little parking, a lot of residents within walking distance are non DC voting students etc. However I woke up at 11 so maybe there was a bum rush this morning. Ahem, those of us who wake up before 11 noticed a line of 25-30 at the Ellington School this morning (~8:25). Didn't look like anyone was particularly stressed, although I debated stopping by the Starbucks table rather than wait in line on M St. Got my ballot postmarked Friday morning to make sure it gets counted in WA, not that it matters aside from Governor and potentially one initiative (I-1000, legalize assisted suicide). Had one friend get disenfranchised by his ballot not getting mailed to him, but he's a PhD student at UMCP, which should not be considered part of these United States, anyhow. And county coroner is a great election, except when you live in a rural county where someone with absolutely no medical background can put up a serious challenge. I think the challenger in the last election cycle before I moved to a different county in WA was a real estate agent. |
|
hifigator
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,387
|
Post by hifigator on Nov 4, 2008 13:58:53 GMT -5
I saw somebody mention "Starbucks." For anyone interested, Starbucks has some promotion giving a free 12 ounce coffee for anyone wearing an "I Voted" sticker today. Our paper also listed a couple of other promotions. I'm not sure if they are only local or not however. Starbucks will also upgrade "grande-sized" drink up to a "venti-size." Also, Krispy-Kreme doughnuts are giving away a star shaped doughnut with "patriotic" sprinkles -- red, white and blue I presume.
There's also a local pub giving away a beer, martini or soda but since none of you are in the area ...
|
|
vcjack
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,875
|
Post by vcjack on Nov 4, 2008 14:03:42 GMT -5
"although I debated stopping by the Starbucks table rather than wait in line on M St."
Don't even try, they will chase you away with brooms
|
|
hoyatables
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 2,606
|
Post by hoyatables on Nov 4, 2008 14:10:09 GMT -5
I saw somebody mention "Starbucks." For anyone interested, Starbucks has some promotion giving a free 12 ounce coffee for anyone wearing an "I Voted" sticker today. Our paper also listed a couple of other promotions. I'm not sure if they are only local or not however. Starbucks will also upgrade "grande-sized" drink up to a "venti-size." Also, Krispy-Kreme doughnuts are giving away a star shaped doughnut with "patriotic" sprinkles -- red, white and blue I presume. There's also a local pub giving away a beer, martini or soda but since none of you are in the area ... No, in honor of Obama, the donuts are frosted pink with bright Commie red sprinkles. |
|
|
|
Post by AustinHoya03 on Nov 4, 2008 14:32:42 GMT -5
|
|
CO_Hoya
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,109
|
Post by CO_Hoya on Nov 4, 2008 14:37:29 GMT -5
Voted this morning. One person ahead of me in line - I think they're projecting about 50% early voting participation out here.
After signing in, the gentleman ahead of me is asked "Paper or electronic ballot?"
"Electronic."
Poll worker turns to colleague, asks "Do you know how the electronic voting machine works?"
Colleague: "Uhhhhhh . . ."
Voter: "Could I do paper instead?"
Poll workers exhale, smile and hand him a paper ballot.
Welcome to Colorado.
|
|
hifigator
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,387
|
Post by hifigator on Nov 4, 2008 14:52:44 GMT -5
Co_ -- I just saw a stat that roughly 50% of registered voters in Colorado voted early and roughly 40% in North Carolina
Personally, I'm still a bit undecided about the early voting.
|
|
Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
123 Fireballs!
Posts: 10,355
|
Post by Boz on Nov 4, 2008 14:53:07 GMT -5
A number of us (including C2C, DrumsGoBang, and myself) were outside Charleston, SC earlier this fall. We were amused to see signs all around advertising different candidates for Coroner. So not only was Coroner an elected position, the race was fiercely contested. What's the weirdest position you've seen up for election? Cell President, of course. ;D Great story, CO_Hoya. I have complete and utter faith in this system.  |
|
EasyEd
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 7,272
|
Post by EasyEd on Nov 4, 2008 14:53:23 GMT -5
Wife and I arrived at polling place in Vienna about 6:15. Long line, out the door onto the sidewalk of the school. Took about an hour but things went smoothly except my last name was in the line that was triple the size of the other alphabet soups. Had paper and electronic, I chose electronic. Pretty efficient. In comparison to previous elections, line was longer and there were considerably fewer signs and party workers outside. Man behind me was a contractor for the firm providing communications at McCain headquarters in Arlington. Said Palin was the nicest person to stop by, shaking hands with all, however mighty or low. Great to be an American on voting day, however it turns out.
|
|
tlphoya
Bulldog (over 250 posts)
Posts: 431
|
Post by tlphoya on Nov 4, 2008 14:56:02 GMT -5
I'm with you Austin03 - what am I suppose to do til 5/6 pm? Shouldn't today be a national holiday? (I guess except people might think 4 day weekend and go on vacation)
I'm in Alexandria, VA and went about 1:30 pm to vote. No line. Apparently they were lined up at 4:45 am though for the 6 am poll opening. Out of the registered voters in our precint they have already accounted for 75 %. Had an option of paper or electronic and selected paper.
|
|
hifigator
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,387
|
Post by hifigator on Nov 4, 2008 15:16:30 GMT -5
tip wrote:
Shouldn't today be a national holiday?
Actually, it's funny you should say that. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a movement to make it a Monday and to make it a National holiday at some point. In any case, someone asked why the first Tuesday in November this morning on one of the news shows. They looked it up and basically, it was November to give time for preparation and transition for the changing administrations without interfering with the Holidays. But as for the Tuesday, when it was first established, everyone came by horse or horse-drawn carriage and in many areas, it took a full day each way in travel.
Interesting, if not really significant.
|
|
Bando
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
I've got some regrets!
Posts: 2,431
|
Post by Bando on Nov 4, 2008 15:35:16 GMT -5
A number of us (including C2C, DrumsGoBang, and myself) were outside Charleston, SC earlier this fall. We were amused to see signs all around advertising different candidates for Coroner. So not only was Coroner an elected position, the race was fiercely contested. What's the weirdest position you've seen up for election? *Ahem* none of you would have been down there but for me! Apparently County Coroner is a South Carolina staple. Mrs. Tables and I noticed a number of signs for that position back in September as we were driving through York County SC on our way to get the marriage license. By far the strangest position I've seen. I've always loved the title of "Comptroller." Hey, you hadn't announced your nuptials to the board, so I wasn't sure if I should. Yes, everyone, Tables got married over Columbus day weekend. w00t! "This is what comptrolling is all about." |
|
Bando
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
I've got some regrets!
Posts: 2,431
|
Post by Bando on Nov 4, 2008 15:38:16 GMT -5
I saw somebody mention "Starbucks." For anyone interested, Starbucks has some promotion giving a free 12 ounce coffee for anyone wearing an "I Voted" sticker today. Our paper also listed a couple of other promotions. I'm not sure if they are only local or not however. Starbucks will also upgrade "grande-sized" drink up to a "venti-size." Also, Krispy-Kreme doughnuts are giving away a star shaped doughnut with "patriotic" sprinkles -- red, white and blue I presume. There's also a local pub giving away a beer, martini or soda but since none of you are in the area ... They're just giving them out to everyone, voting sticker or not, now. Apparently this is illegal. |
|
