I'm just not an early voter

[stopbush]

I've early voted twice in my life: once, by absentee ballot when I was at college and couldn't get back to my hometown, and once when we first moved to CA in 2005.

I prefer the ritual of getting up the day of, heading off to the polls early and voting at my precinct. I like to think "this is the day we decide."

This year, I hope to take my daughter with me as it will be her first time voting in a GE.

Anyone else stuck in the old way of doing things?

[annabanana]

1. yeah.. but then I'm in New York which is also

"stuck in the old way of doing things"

[LynnTTT]

17. Convenience and "just in case"

I live in a senior community. Many of us can't stand in long lines for hours. Or don't want to take the chance that we'll be sick that day. Or the car doesn't start. Or it's pouring down rain. Our God Forbid, we die the day before. I talked to a guy the other day who is very enthusiastic, but is taking a trip out of the country and won't be back till Monday night. But what if his plane is delayed?
Too many things can go wrong.

[TrekLuver]

2. Yes because in NY you have to. But at least my job gives us election day OFF so I can go at my

leisure which I'm sure will be on the earlier side. I just don't know what I will do with myself the whole day!!!

[CentralMass]

4. I'm new to Oregon but I think I like the vote by mail system.

I checked my ballot status online for a couple of days unail it was updated that my ballot was mailed on 10/26. I recieved it in the mail on Friday 10/28. I filled it out and placed it in the return enveloce in its protective sleeve a d signed the back.of the enveloce.

Since I didn't have a stamp to mail it back I went to the nearest drop box location about 8 minutes away early Saturday morning and dropped it off. I checked on my status again online and it said that my ballot had been processed on 10/31.

[mahina]

21. How do you like Oregon?

[CentralMass]

23. So far so good. Portland is a very cool city and there is a lot of scenic beauty along the Columbia

River gorge and the coast that are only an hour or hour and a half drive from the Portland area. The cost of housing and living is a bit high and people have been moving here in droves.

[Ligyron]

24. I'm in FL and will never vote in person again.

By mail is the way to go.

No lines and no funny business at the polls.

Besides, I give someone a ride to work every day at 7 am and I drive by a polling place. Even that early there is a huge line with at least 100 people in it and it's been that way from the first day til now.

When I pick them up between 2:30 and 4:30, whenever - there is still a long, long line and baby, is it ever hot out at that point. No thanks, if you were old or weak? Forget it, you'd never make it.

Nope, I just fill out my mail-in ballot taking all the time I need to research even the judges background and those weird and often confusing ballot amendments, mail it in for $1.56 and then check it online in a couple of days to make sure it got there - and it did and always does.

Frankly, I don't see how on earth everyone in this state could possibly vote on the same day anymore. It would take at least two 24 hour days and even then, with more polling places open?

Many would just give up, disenfranchised.

That would be particularly so with two candidates a lot of people aren't exactly thrilled with. Not me, I was happy to vote for Hills and she will be a great President!

It's about time a woman got elected to that office and frankly I can't think one anyone more qualified.

[Cha]

6. I've never voted early.. always

lived in smaller communities where it wasn't necessary. And, never needed an Absentee ballot.

Waiting with bated breath for Nov 8th!

But Early Voting for lots of People looks Great!

[Hortensis]

7. Not recently, but voting on election day is definitely

our preference. As you say, a ritual, a very important one. We need a national election day holiday, complete with concerts in the parks and so on.

[skylucy]

8. I have ALWAYS voted in person on election day.This is the FIRST year I applied for

a vote by mail early ballot. So I've already voted. But just today I started feeling kind of sad that I wouldn't be going to my polling place on November 8. So---Even though I did it differently this year---I still am STUCK in the old way too!

[BlueCaliDem]

9. I LOVE early voting. I want my ballot IN and counted, and on Election Day, it always is. :-) eom

[tavernier]

11. I'm not a morbid person by any means,

but you just never know, and I want my vote in the bank in case that piano does fall out of the window.

[Tracer]

12. I like going to my polling place to vote.

I enjoy seeing the Republican side's people and signs standing there, and grin to myself as I pass by, knowing that I'll be voting a straight Democratic ticket!


I can hardly wait for next Tuesday!

[Madam45for2923]

14. Every-way is A-0K in my opinion!

In my case I just could not wait! I RAN to VOTE this YEAR!

and I will be volunteering on Election day to GOTV! ~ so feel I will be part of the day!

[Jimbo S]

18. I will vote on Election Day

Just something about congregating with my fellow citizens, together taking part in democracy.

[mahina]

19. Not your question, but the reasons I'm not are

So that I can help other people get to the polls, and so that my vote is in no matter what random thing happens in my life.

[Awsi Dooger]

22. I used to feel the same way

Until I realized it didn't fit with my overall belief system at all.

Give me 3 opportunities instead of 2, or 2 instead of 1. Margin for error.

If I wait until election day only, there is possibility of something going wrong, especially as I age. Being sick or injured or suddenly unavailable on that specific day may not be the favorite. But it's hardly zero.

Not to mention that something could go wrong at the polling place or on the way there, like a traffic blockage or traffic accident involving my car.

I was very proud of myself when I figured this out. I believe it was 2002. I've voted early every single time since then.

[DemonGoddess]

25. early voting is inconvenient for me

we have ONE polling place in the county for this, it's about 40 minutes away. I'd rather just wait until Election Day and do it then.

[Farmgirl1961]

26. Nope

I've lived in Oregon for over 22 years and we've had vote by mail for a very long time. I remember having to go to my local precinct early on -- I much prefer vote by mail. I can do it leisurely and within the two+ week timeframe.

[Coventina]

27. I like the idea of voting on election day. I'll always do it if circumstances allow.

[Gothmog]

28. I work on voter protection efforts and so I have to vote early

In Texas up to 70% of the total vote is by means of early vote. I would hate to see the lines if there were no early voting

[Tikki]

29. Four here in our (CA) home vote absentee, by mail, and would...

never do it any other way.
We have a family get-together, go over all on the ballots
and mark accordingly...which is Democratic...ALWAYS.
We can go online to the County voter's division and see
when our ballot was processed.

The Tikkis