Share your voting experience today

 Got to my polling place in Pittsburgh's 29th Ward at 8 am.  No line other than the one for those individuals that had to wait because the poll workers couldn't find cards for 4 people (1 of them a first time voter, his parent and I.)  We all had a voter registration cards with the polling place stamped on the back.  The family of 3 found out after the on duty judge of elections called to the county election's office that they were at the wrong location.  Once the family (new to Pgh) was told the correct location they asked one of the poll workers for directions.  The poll worker gave them directions, the wrong directions to the polling place (a church) that they were to be at.   I felt sorry for the family.  They really wanted to exercise their civic duty.  My own experience was they couldn't find my name or card on their list.  After a 15 minute wait..including a call to the election's office again..they were told that my name should be on their list and that there should be a card for me to sign.  They finally found my name and card and I was able to vote.  I have a few questions: how do they get the workers at the polling locations?  Are they given any training?  Do they ask if the can read?  This is the 5th presidential election that I've voted in and by far the worst experience that I ever had.  I really hope that that family ended up finding the correct church and that they voted.

Can I tell you how thrilled I was to see a line at my polling place at 10 a.m.!  The excitement was palpable. We all chatted while we waited for our chance to help make history. It seemed everyone was as excited as I was. In less than 20 minutes I had voted, in what I believe is the most important presidential election since my very first voting experience in 1968.

Both my husband and I also anticipated a line...but we were the first at our polling place and the first to vote as well.  No problem there.  HOWEVER, I do have issue with the types of "signs" that were placed outside of the polling place.  I thought that they were to be unbiased, but what I found could be viewed as biased.

Here are the ones that bothered me the most:

"Another Democrat for McCain"; they did have one that showed the "firefighters for Obama"...but the one that offended me the most was one that said, "Vote Straight Democrat"...WHY put that one there and not a "Vote Straight Republican" as well...I'll tell you why--because THEY know and I hope EVERYONE knows that if you vote straight "any party" your presidential vote WILL NOT BE COUNTED!!!!  

Talk about "dirty" and "biased".  Arent' the polling places suppose to be UNBIASED?  Signs like the "vote straight democrat" is an insult.  Since they put that up there then they should also put up a "vote straight republican" also.  Why didn't they do that???

 Voting Machine Irregularities.

"I'm a software developer and I know there are problems with the machines touch screen. The same error happened to myself, a friend and the woman behind me at the polls. When I chose straight party affiliation the other party affiliation was selected." - Mike

According to some videos I've seen, this means that the machine was not properly calibrated.  After recalibration, it apparently works fine. 

I'm also a software developer and also believe that touch screens are still unreliable.  I think it's fine that the voting machine is computerized, but I still think we should have physical buttons to select things with until touch screen technology becomes more advanced and reliable.

I went to my polling place in Scott Township at 10:00. No line at all. It took me less time to vote than it did to walk there (7 minutes).

In talking with a poll worker, I heard some good and some bad news. The good news; They had already reached the normal quota of voters by 10 AM and were still expecting a surge after 5 PM. The sad news; That quota is 85 of 400 registered voters in our voting precinct.

Folks, please get out and vote!

 In monroeville,I expected long lines and anticipated many hours of waiting.I decided to wait to head for the polls at 10:00 am .I was pleasantly surprised to find only 2 people ahead of me.The machines were fine and help was nearby for anyone who needed it.I felt really good when I was done hoping for some changes in our country.

 what amazes me is that for whom you vote puts you in a category as Bolshevik and rascist.  The only people I heard talking about marxism, rascism and terrorists were McCain-Palin.  They have divided the country by saying that a vote for McCain-Palin, shows that you are a "true American".  However, a vote for Obama-Biden shows that you are "rascist" or "communist". 

As for Black people coming out to vote because Obama is black, does not make an ounce of sense.  Did you ever stop to consider that Black people come out to vote for someone who is worthy of their vote?  In all the years that I have been alive, there has never been a Black leader for whom I would have voted except Colin Powell.  I am not a registered republican, but he would be worthy  of my vote. 

McCain-Palin have never, ever said anything positive about becoming President-Vice President.  Their whole campaign has been conducted on discrediting their opponents.  If two people were in competition for the same job, which of the following would you hire?  Would it be the applicant who describes how he will benefit your company, or would it be the applicant who tries to destroy his opponents reputation? 

" If two people were in competition for the same job, which of the following would you hire?  Would it be the applicant who describes how he will benefit your company, or would it be the applicant who tries to destroy his opponents reputation? " - Amgf77

This is why I always thought it would be interesting to see a campaign where they each have to campaign for each other instead of themselves.  :)

 I wanted to reply to you about the poll workers and their training.  My daughter (age 20) is a new poll worker and she has receive the necessary training to perform her job function.   I believe that these volunteers are doing the best job possible given the circumstances.  While I do feel sorry for the family, I would not blame the poll workers.   There is so much that goes into working at those polls.   Please gives these people the respect that they deserve.

My husband and I attended McAnulty School in Baldwin Boro. They recently moved the gym to the other end of the school.  It looked like a long line to begin with, but swiftly got you where you needed to be.  THere was a greeter at the door saying that we now go to our "districts" (not streets or names like before) and told me, my husband, and at least 20 other people to stand in the line for dist 8.  When all of us got up to check in our name, we were in the wrong line!  We had to restand in line, all over again at dist. 6 line.

The gym they had was only 1/2 open, not big enough at all.  It was also hot and crowded beyong belief.  The total experience for me was 25 minutes, start to finish, even with the error.  Knowing that this was supposed to be the biggest voter turn out ever, should of planned better by:   Opening both sides of the gym and speading out the chaos.  Give their greeter proper information where to send people.  Have signs you can see to know where your line starts and ends.

mrspgh95:

Both my husband and I also anticipated a line...but we were the first at our polling place and the first to vote as well.  No problem there.  HOWEVER, I do have issue with the types of "signs" that were placed outside of the polling place.  I thought that they were to be unbiased, but what I found could be viewed as biased.

Here are the ones that bothered me the most:

"Another Democrat for McCain"; they did have one that showed the "firefighters for Obama"...but the one that offended me the most was one that said, "Vote Straight Democrat"...WHY put that one there and not a "Vote Straight Republican" as well...I'll tell you why--because THEY know and I hope EVERYONE knows that if you vote straight "any party" your presidential vote WILL NOT BE COUNTED!!!!  

Talk about "dirty" and "biased".  Arent' the polling places suppose to be UNBIASED?  Signs like the "vote straight democrat" is an insult.  Since they put that up there then they should also put up a "vote straight republican" also.  Why didn't they do that???

That's incorrect. The only state with the straight party/presidential pick problem is NC, according to an article published just yesterday in the Asheville Citizen-Times.

In the other 49 states, a straight ticket vote still votes for President, although simply pressing the party button isn't something to be proud of & should be discouraged anyway.

 They probably didn't do that because no one from the Republican Party got around to putting up a sign.  The polling places are politically neutral, but people are free to post whatever they want to nearby.

If you vote straight party ticket, your vote still counts.

12:30 update

Turnout has been excellent at my polling place. We are already over the 250 mark for the day and there are still many of hours voting. Some rainy election days we have seen less than 250 total. The number of new registrants who are coming out to vote is unreal. How nice it is to see people finally starting to come out and vote!

Turnout seems very high for Barack Obama. I am covered in Obama gear and not one person has made one negative remark like they did in the spring primary when Senator Hillary Clinton was running against Obama. Everyone seems genuinely excited about voting. Many voters are coming in or going out saying this is the most important election they have ever participated in.

This is a truly amazing day.

 No lines at my precinct in Whitehall. Poll workers said they had served about 75 people by 8:30 a.m. when I arrived, which I thought was a small number, but they said it was larger than usual.  No problems with my vote, but the person two in front of me left without pressing "Confirm" on the electronic screen.  This despite the poll worker's very thorough instructions and a very clear, easy to understand screen. Sometimes I wonder if we really deserve to exercise our voting rights when we can't follow simple instructions. What happened to this citizen's vote?

No matter who wins, I hope the country can somehow come to its senses and avoid the partisan, irrational bickering that characterized this election and makes me dread the kind of example we've provided for my 19-year-old son and those like him now voting in their first presidential election.