By this time tomorrow, I'll have voted for Barack Obama.
Letting that sink in for a moment....
Like last time, I'm terrified--terrified that, even though local dem activist and artist Mary Vollero got our county to switch back to paper ballots and dump the electronic voting machines we had last time--I'm still terrified that somehow my vote won't be counted. Or worse--that it will be switched to McFossil-Failin'. Either by some error of my own, or by someone (or someones) seeing to it that dem votes are switched.
Am I paranoid? Is it paranoia when someone really IS watching you? When the last two elections have been stolen?
When I go to the polls now, ever since 2000, I instantly become a frightened child, eyes wide as saucers, looking around to make sure I'm at the right place and in the right line. I feel like I'm in enemy territory, a intimidating place where I have to make sure that my marks on the ballot are exactly right--no coloring outside the lines, no half-bubbles, no mis-aligned cards, no hanging chads, no auto-switched vote.
I hate feeling like this. I know it's going to be even worse than last time, in 2006. I'm having to vote at a new place since I moved, and so I'm going to spend a little time after work today making sure I know exactly where to go. I am pretty sure I'm going to use at least two of my final eight vacation hours remaining in order to reduce my anxiety about going, standing in line, etc. Then I'll come back here and tell you how it goes.
How are you feeling today?
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13 comments:
I'm feeling confident but not ready to claim victory yet.
I'm feeling the same as you. I don't want another Diebold Disaster. Last election, I was totally paranoid that the OAPs taking in the votes were going to sneak into the back and tear them up, or commit some other such conspiracy crime.
I think by now, I'm just resigned to the fact that I can't trust the system.
But I can still dream.
How am I feeling? Nervous as hell, that's how. I'm starting the the first of three days off today; today is going to be filled with yardwork and laundry, and tomorrow my eldest and I will be helping to GOTV by driving people to the polls who need rides, so that should help steady the nerves. IL is safe for Obama, of course, but we have a chance to replace some GOP congressmen around here so that's what we're working on.
Good luck tomorrow!
Hey, I think by law you get two hours of paid time off to go vote if you tell your boss beforehand. At least, that's what we were told at work.
One more day!
I refuse to use Indiana's Diebold machines and so I voted on paper via absentee ballot. I am nervous. If Obama wins there are going to be a lot of pissed off extreme wingnuts and who knows what they'll do. If Obama loses I think there is some funny business afoot and by god we better not let it slide!
My stomach is all knotted. I just want it to be done. I am going to feel really good about casting my vote this time, whether it's counted or not. Either way, I'm going to be extra-careful that I do it correctly.
I feel the same as you do. My hope is that the turnout of voters for Obama is so overwhelming that they can't even fake it, that stealing it is just not feasible. I think they realize that if anything really obvious happens and McCain "wins," that this country will go berserk. At least parts of it will and I'll be among them!
My day was quite different.
I am feeling good about voting but I am wondering why the students have the day off and I have to work.
I'm all in a froth about tomorrow. And feel the same way you do.
I mean, I live in OHIO! Anything could happen.
*Susan, needing Valium to fall asleep tonight*
Word verification: philkme.
"Philk me? Is that what the kids are calling it now?"
If Obama loses* I plan to go on a rampage and key every car I see with a McCain sticker on it.
Oh, yes I will.
*he won't
Dr Monkey--ditto.
Enc--I hear ya, believe me. Just have to hope it's not even close.
Bubs--good luck!
GKL--when I asked my coworkers that, they all looked at me like I'd pulled out a crack pipe. Oh well.
Lib--my fingers are crossed. I'm so glad we got paper ballots again!
SomeGuy--yeah, I read and reread my ballot to make sure I was doing everything right. *gulp*
Maui--let's hope it's a landslide!
Dad E--elaborate! I'll check your blog for your story.
Mathman--that's not good!
Susan--I've been worried about PA this year--there've been little stories about messed up machines etc around the state. I'm sweatin' a little....
Zip--me too! And my friend Matty will spit on them!
I'm nervous and I'm really looking forward tonight's results!
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