Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

2016 Postmortem

Showing Original Post only (View all)

Samantha

(9,314 posts)
Tue Apr 26, 2016, 06:04 PM Apr 2016

It was my privilege today to vote in College Park, Maryland for Bernie Sanders for President [View all]

Steny Hoyer left a voice mail message saying they were expecting long lines in P.G. County. The sample ballot previously mailed to me suggested that between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. would be the best time to show up and have the smallest chance of facing long lines.

I arrived at 3:05 p.m. and got the last parking place in the lot of the Methodist Church, in the basement of which the voting was taking place. It is not that large of a parking lot, and I was surprised so few people were there. Before I had pulled into the lot, I noticed a large sign which had large-print words saying in effect, "No electioneering permitted past this point." And so there was none.

I had carefully reviewed the sample ballot mailed to me. This is the first year of the State of Maryland's voting "rewind" to paper ballots. I marked the sample ahead of time so I could refer to it as I voted. I specifically needed the section on choice of delegates.

When I walked inside, I was first in line. Two other voters were there already voting behind curtains. The woman at the table motioned me over and smilingly welcomed me. She asked only for my name and address and quickly found it on the main register. She printed a receipt which I was asked to sign, verifying all the information. No identification was requested. Then I was directed to another table, given my official ballot, instructed to mark it as I chose fit in one of the booths, and then go to the mark on the floor to signal my ballot was ready to be scanned. I finished very quickly and walked to the mark on the floor in the middle of the room.

Another poll worker stood by the scanning machine and told me to insert my ballot. Effortlessly, it rolled through, and she gave me a sticker saying "I voted." I was done.

Time elapsed from the moment I entered the door until I exited: 6 minutes. As I walked out, I looked at my watch and it was 3:11 p.m. I felt buoyed by the knowledge that in all probability my vote was safely cast and would definitely be counted. Paper is the way to go, I do believe.

As I walked to my car, I cannot describe the happiness I felt had having voted for Bernie Sanders for President. I have admired him and his political positions long before he announced he would run for President. His reputation in the State of Vermont has prompted an 86 percent approval rating from the people who reside therein. He garners about 25 percent of the Republican vote because Republicans say he is the only politician who has been honest with them. That reputation preceded him into this contest, and despite what opposition personnel say, his record for being a person of integrity has maintained the test of time for decades and has been authenticated by people who know him best.

And so it was my pleasure to vote for Bernie Sanders in this 2016 contest. As I left the parking lot of the church, past the church property and on public land was a Bernie for President sign.

That made me smile, and I will rest peacefully tonight. I wanted to share the voting experience here in Maryland because I believe the American people should always be able to cast a vote for their preferred candidate in an easy, quick and safeguarded manner. I hope every state converts to paper.

Sam

42 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I can relate Rebkeh Apr 2016 #1
I think this is a trigger for the release of pent of stress Samantha Apr 2016 #3
Can totally relate, Samantha. senz Apr 2016 #32
You got it, senz! Samantha Apr 2016 #37
I can hardly wait noretreatnosurrender Apr 2016 #31
K & R democrattotheend Apr 2016 #2
I cried when I voted in 2012 for Obama and Biden Samantha Apr 2016 #4
Why was 2008 your last opportunity to vote for them? pnwmom Apr 2016 #17
I didn't mean 2008 - I meant 2012 and I have fixed that Samantha Apr 2016 #35
Greenbelt here - and no lines - I think Greenbelt will go Bernie n/t Merryland Apr 2016 #5
I live in College Park but 4 blocks behind the Greenbelt metro Samantha Apr 2016 #7
Howdy! n/t Merryland Apr 2016 #10
kr Armstead Apr 2016 #6
I had a wonderful voting experience last week in NY, rural NY where Karma13612 Apr 2016 #8
What do you think will be the results this evening? Samantha Apr 2016 #9
Well Samantha, I don't want to burst your bubble. And I have no Karma13612 Apr 2016 #11
Similar experience in MontCo, elleng Apr 2016 #12
Are you wondering if Maryland will have a low turnout Samantha Apr 2016 #13
Sure I'm wondering, elleng Apr 2016 #15
They use the same system everywhere in NY, by the way: paper ballots and scanners. pnwmom Apr 2016 #18
You are wise and level-headed, not prone to celebrity worship, unaffected by fear tactics. CentralCoaster Apr 2016 #14
It is really nice to get such a compliment in these difficult days at DU Samantha Apr 2016 #23
Same experience voting for Sanders in Frederick Co., MD. Waiting For Everyman Apr 2016 #16
Both NY and MD have closed primaries and both use paper, scanned ballots. pnwmom Apr 2016 #19
WOW! elleng Apr 2016 #20
I know, my reaction too! Waiting For Everyman Apr 2016 #22
Thank you for this wonderful, thoughtful post Samantha Apr 2016 #27
KNR amborin Apr 2016 #21
Too bad the exit polls are weighing for Hillary. nolawarlock Apr 2016 #24
Bye Samantha Apr 2016 #28
Hi nolawarlock Apr 2016 #29
Is that the Methodist Church on Rhode Island Ave? DCBob Apr 2016 #25
Here in NC voting rights keep getting stricter. blm Apr 2016 #26
I have had that fear something similar might happen to Maryland since the GOP won the governorship Samantha Apr 2016 #36
We will - but our work gets harder every day. blm Apr 2016 #40
I enjoyed your writing style metroins Apr 2016 #30
This is a really, really nice thing to say Samantha Apr 2016 #34
Cheers, I experienced the same elsewhere in MD this morning. Vattel Apr 2016 #33
Bernie has touched something very deep in all of us. Thank you for sharing this. snowy owl Apr 2016 #38
Yes he has, and thank you for pointing it out Samantha Apr 2016 #39
There's one way we could improve elections in Maryland. Waiting For Everyman Apr 2016 #41
Thanks for sharing! And thanks for voting! Joob Apr 2016 #42
Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»2016 Postmortem»It was my privilege today...»Reply #0