Election reflections

Posted: Nov 4, 2008

Have you voted yet? If so, did you vote early or did you brave the the dreary conditions today? How long are the lines today? How long did you have to wait to cast your ballot? Please discuss. I would love to get a lot of fresh information throughout the day.

I plan to vote this afternoon at a neighborhood school in Cary after work. That should be about 1:30 p.m. I've never had to wait more than 10 or 15 minutes in the past. That may change today. I am not really sure, but I am encouraged by the unprecedented turnout of early voters.

I would also like to hear about your favorite election of all time. I can’t help but think of the Kennedy-Nixon battle in 1960 when I was barely 10 years old. A neighborhood friend had a stake in the race. His dad was a Kennedy delegate to the Democratic Convention in California. It was a close and exciting race, and I remember debating the issues with my young classmates in elementary school. We all learned a lot about democracy that year. My parents let me stay up late election night to follow the returns with Walter Cronkite on CBS. That was a lot of fun. I think that was my first taste of the journalistic bug. I've still got it today.

Chime in with your own election reflections.

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I voted a few weeks ago when early voting had just started. I had to wait about 15 minutes, but the line moved quickly and it was a good experience. I have done early voting in the past where I waited up to an hour to cast my vote. I remember casting my first presidential vote by absentee ballot when I was in college. And the year that Bill Clinton was elected the first time, I got to participate in a Television Network Exit Poll when I left the polling place. That was quite exciting because the tv folks referred to the exit polling quite often in their election coverage that night.

mdoodle
GOLO member since March 1, 2008
November 4, 2008 8:09 a.m.

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I have not voted yet but will do so this afternoon when I get off work. I usually go before work but my son (age 6) wanted to go with me so we will both go after I get him from school. I think that it is important for parents to take their children to the polls on election day so they can begin to experience the democratic process. My favorite would have to be the 1st one I could vote in, which would have been the 1992 presidential election. I remember being so excited about voting because I had been with my parents to the polls as a child & now it was finally my turn to vote.

khoggard
November 4, 2008 8:17 a.m.

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From a good friend named Cathy:

Bill, I voted two weeks ago over at the Ag Center in Nashville. No long lines - I was in and out in about 10 minutes. It was a great feeling knowing I had contributed if only a small voice.

I missed you at the fair - You were there Saturday and we went on the record day - Sunday. Another tradition checked off the list for this year.

I was so pleased to see your dad's art work grace the cover of out Wake Electric membership "Carolina Country magazine. What a beautiful painting of the church.

Hope your book and cd are selling like "hotcakes". I have thrown hints to my sister about it being a huge fan and all.

Good luck at the poles today and as the preacher said Sunday - whoever wins we will continue to pray for our nation and its leaders.

Have a great day!!!

Cathy

bleslie
GOLO member since July 10, 2007
November 4, 2008 8:23 a.m.

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Just got back!! I didn't want to vote early. I haven't waivered on whom I would vote for but just wanted to do it on the "real" day! Walked in, voted and left all with in 10 minutes or less. No lines in New Hill!! My husband was there by 6:30 and he did have a huge line.

cheddarhead
November 4, 2008 8:51 a.m.

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I went at 7:00 to Dillard Drive Elementary. It was crowded but not completely unreasonable. No one was complaining though!

My first election ever was 1980. My dad said, "Just vote straight party ticket". Way to let me be informed Dad!

happy
GOLO member since August 2, 2007
November 4, 2008 8:56 a.m.

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I went at 6:30 this morning just as the doors opened and there were sixteen people in line. The precinct ladies were pleasant and quick...I got my ballot and was finished in about 12 minutes. It was refreshing to see so many young people and every voting booth was full. As an elected official with re-election coming next year, I only wish we could get this kind of turnout for every election...

lovetheheels
November 4, 2008 8:58 a.m.

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I voted this morning, got to the polls at 6:10 and stood in line with many other folks in the pouring rain. When they opened the door, we got in an orderly line and then voted. I was number 24 and then walked out at 6:41 a.m. My parents used to take us to the courthouse after the polls closed on election evening to hear the results. It was and is a very important day in our lives.

I doubt I was in church with your friend Cathy but my minister said the same thing "whoever wins we will continue to pray for our nation and its leaders".

wolfpack_girl1976
GOLO member since July 27, 2007
November 4, 2008 9:01 a.m.

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I voted at the Wake County Office last week on Salisbury and there was no line. It's a landslide for Obama.

Most memorable were when I was out of the country: 1. 1976: I was in Europe and read Carter's book. I read about the election there and Europeans were glad, like me, that Carter won ... Obama's victory will resemble Carters ... 1st win by a Democratic candidate since 1976. 2. 1980: I was in Jordan and we kept hearing: Gore won, no ... Bush won ... then a reversal. It was stunning watching this from the Middle East. It's so sad that Gore won and Bush lost the nation.

Peace

eddieasmith
November 4, 2008 10:35 a.m.

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Hi Bill... I voted on Oct. 24. It's the first time I've ever voted "early" as I usually like to be in the midst of all the hoopla! I knew it would be crowded this year so I decided not to add to the crowds. My most memorable election was also my first. In 1976 I helped elect Jimmy Carter! I'm a firm believer that if a person doesn't vote, they have no right to complain. It's a chance to voice your opinion on how our country will be run.

Legswilson
GOLO member since July 12, 2007
November 4, 2008 10:44 a.m.

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I voted this am around 745 am. I did not have to wait for more than a minute. This is my first Presidential election voting at a place. I voted by absentee ballot in 2004. I just pray for our country.

murdock
GOLO member since February 14, 2008
November 4, 2008 10:55 a.m.

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Election reflections

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