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Post by myshelly on Aug 18, 2020 14:15:54 GMT
I don’t get it either. All this talk of lines on Election Day - isn’t there a two week early voting period? People could go then and the line would be spread out over two weeks. Look at what people in other countries have to do to vote. Americans are just lazy, whiny babies. I live in a state where there isn’t widespread mail in voting. You have to meet specific criteria to vote by mail, so I have never known anyone who has done it. You're a smart person. Surely you realize that each state runs election differently? Have you completely ignored the news coverage in the last few election cycles of people waiting for hours and hours and hours in long lines that are very real because partisan officials eliminated polling places and got rid of voting machines in minority districts? And no, there is no early voting period in my state at all. I didn’t know there are some states that don’t have early voting. To me, it would make more sense to fight for a longer voting period than votes by mail. As I’ve said before, I don’t trust USPS to deliver votes. I would certainly never trust them with my vote. I can’t understand wanting to vote by mail, so this is a fight I will not join. I would fully support expanding polls and hours. I would join that fight.
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Post by Skellinton on Aug 18, 2020 14:16:39 GMT
I guess I don’t understand why anyone would be opposed to it.
We have been doing it in Washington for years. As a teacher I find it really the only option. Since I have a commute of almost an hour after school it was terrible when we had to vote in person. Granted I enjoyed the pageantry of it and getting the sticker, but is made for one hell of a long day. I was often in line for a couple of hours in the evening after a long day of work. I did it because I could and have always felt the regency of it, but not everyone is as privileged as I am. I didn’t have to take children with me and have them wait in 2 hour lines with me. I didn’t have a physical disability making it difficult to stand in line or get to the polls. My polling place was a black away from my home so it was incredibly easy to get to. I had a job that allowed me to be off in time (just barely) to get to my voting place,
It has nothing to do with being lazy or whiny. Why would anyone be opposed to it?
If you don’t trust the PO then drop it off in the designated ballot boxes located all over town instead.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Aug 18, 2020 14:19:30 GMT
The only one obsessed is Trump. Maybe his sycophantic followers as well. In my state, for the primaries, for the first time to my knowledge, we were all issued mail in ballots and things went well. Why they didn't decide to continue it for the November elections, I don't know, but you can request a mail in ballot to be dropped off at a ballot box or mail, assuming we still have a post office. Most of our usual voting places will not be open, but they have decided to open our high schools as voting locations. Still, a HUGE loss of voting access. I anticipate lines will be long and volunteers will be few. DH and I have volunteered to be election judges. We don't want seniors to feel obligated to work all day amidst a pandemic. We'll be taking the day off, masking up and doing our part. I already feel a low level of dread at the prolonged exposure to large amounts of people, but Trump and the entire GOP need to feel the stinging rebuke of a hurting nation who want dignity restored to the White House. Who do you contact to volunteer?
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Post by crazy4scraps on Aug 18, 2020 14:20:45 GMT
I don’t get it either. All this talk of lines on Election Day - isn’t there a two week early voting period? People could go then and the line would be spread out over two weeks. Look at what people in other countries have to do to vote. Americans are just lazy, whiny babies. I live in a state where there isn’t widespread mail in voting. You have to meet specific criteria to vote by mail, so I have never known anyone who has done it. You're a smart person. Surely you realize that each state runs election differently? Have you completely ignored the news coverage in the last few election cycles of people waiting for hours and hours and hours in long lines that are very real because partisan officials eliminated polling places and got rid of voting machines in minority districts? And no, there is no early voting period in my state at all. This is what I was going to mention too. There are multiple states that have NO early voting, which a quick 30 second Google search confirmed for me. It drives me nuts when people just automatically assume that just because something is true for them where they are, it is true for everyone, everywhere.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Aug 18, 2020 14:21:48 GMT
I don’t get it either. All this talk of lines on Election Day - isn’t there a two week early voting period? People could go then and the line would be spread out over two weeks. Look at what people in other countries have to do to vote. Americans are just lazy, whiny babies. I live in a state where there isn’t widespread mail in voting. You have to meet specific criteria to vote by mail, so I have never known anyone who has done it. I don’t think every state has early voting, especially for primaries (which the picture above captured). I also thought we were supposed to be “better than” most of the world in regards to access to voting and democracy...I don’t see the problem with trying to find ways for more people to have access to vote. Your statement shows lack of empathy and privilege if you have not had to deal with any of the obstacles mentioned and can’t even imagine a situation other than your own.
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,168
Jun 26, 2014 5:46:37 GMT
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Post by lindas on Aug 18, 2020 14:22:22 GMT
I’m going to make a prediction right now, this upcoming election is going to be filled with fraud, allegations of fraud, and we are not going to know probably until January or February who actually won. As far as mail in ballots, Trump is the only one who’s obsessed with it at this point. I plan on voting in person early and I think that the option for mailing or absentee ballots absolutely needs to be offered to whoever needs one. We know that there are elderly who can’t get to the voting booths. We also know that most of the people at the polling sites are elderly and our local board of elections has done nothing to recruit new people. This whole thing is gonna be a cluster you know what, election day. It will be a miracle if we know who won by January 20th. It took New York 6 weeks to finalize its primary. Since more people tend to vote in the general then the primary who knows how long it will take to count the votes. This is going to be the most contested election in history. States where you have to request a ballot at least have a way to verify them. States that are mailing actual ballots are the ones that are going to be challenged if the race is close. The post office warned all 50 states back in late May that they might not be able to meet the deadline the states were issuing link.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Aug 18, 2020 14:22:23 GMT
isn’t there a two week early voting period? People could go then and the line would be spread out over two weeks. There isn't any early voting in Michigan. Not in NJ either!
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Aug 18, 2020 14:27:07 GMT
I disagree with your first point. My state has never had widespread mail in voting, so it’s not accurate to say the nation has always had it. Here, you have to meet specific, narrow criteria to qualify to vote by mail and most people don’t, so the idea that voting by mail is a big deal and people are upset about it is baffling to me. I would never trust the post office with my vote. The United States of America has had large scale mail-in voting in the Civil War and since! Or should we bring every service member, embassy staff, foreign service workers and all their families home to vote in person! Let us not forget trump capable to go home to vote as is EVERY member if his family and staff and all those who work away from home us..
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Aug 18, 2020 14:28:42 GMT
I don’t get it either. All this talk of lines on Election Day - isn’t there a two week early voting period? People could go then and the line would be spread out over two weeks. Look at what people in other countries have to do to vote. Americans are just lazy, whiny babies. I live in a state where there isn’t widespread mail in voting. You have to meet specific criteria to vote by mail, so I have never known anyone who has done it. Not correct at all—The early voting is only available at the BOE. There are still long lines to wait in. It’s not like all the polling places are open for the 2 weeks to early vote. Just because people would like options to vote in a once in a century virus/pandemic, does not make them lazy, whiny, or babies. You ought to consider WHY this administration is working so damn hard to suppress voting.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 12:44:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2020 14:28:52 GMT
Georgia has 18 days of early voting. None of those people could plan ahead enough to vote early? But you think they would have planned ahead enough to vote by mail? I doubt they thought it would be this bad. But it was. And now people know that. Hence the desire for mail-in balloting. And not everywhere has early voting - as peas upthread have mentioned.
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Post by Merge on Aug 18, 2020 14:30:07 GMT
I don’t get it either. All this talk of lines on Election Day - isn’t there a two week early voting period? People could go then and the line would be spread out over two weeks. Look at what people in other countries have to do to vote. Americans are just lazy, whiny babies. I live in a state where there isn’t widespread mail in voting. You have to meet specific criteria to vote by mail, so I have never known anyone who has done it. You're a smart person. Surely you realize that each state runs election differently? Have you completely ignored the news coverage in the last few election cycles of people waiting for hours and hours and hours in long lines that are very real because partisan officials eliminated polling places and got rid of voting machines in minority districts? And no, there is no early voting period in my state at all. Even here in Texas, the lines can be quite long during early voting, especially on the weekends when most working people can go. I waited well over an hour in 2018 on a weekend afternoon as people lined up to vote for Beto. And I suspect the lines will be even longer this year, as they usually are in a presidential year.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Aug 18, 2020 14:32:26 GMT
It’s not hard to understand, really. 1. Our nation has alway had both in-person (at precincts and county election offices) and mail-in voting (absentee). The trend for a decade at least has been in-person early voting and mail-in, or what is also called absentee. You had multiple reasons to request a mail-in ballot - work hours, out of town, poll worker etc). It’s not hard at all. 2. Presidential election years (and the primaries) bring out many more voters who normally don’t vote mid-term or even state/county elections. Polls in most states are open 6am - 7pm or something similar. The pre- and post-business hours can be heavily attended. I’ve many times been in line at 6am and it takes at least an hour to get to the voting booth. We hope this trend is extraordinarily high this year in order to Get Out The Vote(rs)! 3. The US numbers for the pandemic are the highest in the world. As things close in for the colder weather we will be packed together inside to vote. And while usually that’s not a bad thing, this year many are hoping that being smart - wearing a mask, social distancing, staying home if you are high risk - will help to keep us healthy until a viable vaccine is universally available. 4. Many US voters don’t want to deal with the anti-maskers, the haters, the spit-in-your-face crowd. I’m a poll worker. I’m nervous of the ones who will INSIST they be allowed to vote WITHOUT A MASK and throw a scene. I’m working mail-in this year, as are some of the people I’ve worked the polls with for years. We just got another plea from the election chief for more precinct workers. My hope is the 20-30-40-50 year olds will fill step up to fill the need. It’s not hard to understand. Unless you are Trump and lying and trying to distract and interfere in the election by any criminal means necessary. Just my humble opinion. 😊 I disagree with your first point. My state has never had widespread mail in voting, so it’s not accurate to say the nation has always had it. Here, you have to meet specific, narrow criteria to qualify to vote by mail and most people don’t, so the idea that voting by mail is a big deal and people are upset about it is baffling to me. I would never trust the post office with my vote. So...it is accurate that our nation has had mail in voting. Just because your state is not the norm doesn’t make it less true. The military vote by mail. Several states are all by mail. People are pissed because at every turn, this administration keeps working to strictly limit and suppress our votes. And you’ll likely never understand either, given that you think having to shelter in place is bad.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Aug 18, 2020 14:33:18 GMT
Georgia has 18 days of early voting. None of those people could plan ahead enough to vote early? But you think they would have planned ahead enough to vote by mail? Voting by mail is a legal method. Why work so hard to disallow it?
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Aug 18, 2020 14:33:53 GMT
I don’t get it either. All this talk of lines on Election Day - isn’t there a two week early voting period? People could go then and the line would be spread out over two weeks. Look at what people in other countries have to do to vote. Americans are just lazy, whiny babies. I live in a state where there isn’t widespread mail in voting. You have to meet specific criteria to vote by mail, so I have never known anyone who has done it. You're a smart person. Surely you realize that each state runs election differently? Have you completely ignored the news coverage in the last few election cycles of people waiting for hours and hours and hours in long lines that are very real because partisan officials eliminated polling places and got rid of voting machines in minority districts? And no, there is no early voting period in my state at all. Purposefully Obtuse is a better description.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Aug 18, 2020 14:34:32 GMT
The only one obsessed is Trump. Maybe his sycophantic followers as well. In my state, for the primaries, for the first time to my knowledge, we were all issued mail in ballots and things went well. Why they didn't decide to continue it for the November elections, I don't know, but you can request a mail in ballot to be dropped off at a ballot box or mail, assuming we still have a post office. Most of our usual voting places will not be open, but they have decided to open our high schools as voting locations. Still, a HUGE loss of voting access. I anticipate lines will be long and volunteers will be few. DH and I have volunteered to be election judges. We don't want seniors to feel obligated to work all day amidst a pandemic. We'll be taking the day off, masking up and doing our part. I already feel a low level of dread at the prolonged exposure to large amounts of people, but Trump and the entire GOP need to feel the stinging rebuke of a hurting nation who want dignity restored to the White House. Who do you contact to volunteer? Your county BOE.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 12:44:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2020 14:36:38 GMT
I don’t get it either. All this talk of lines on Election Day - isn’t there a two week early voting period? People could go then and the line would be spread out over two weeks. Look at what people in other countries have to do to vote. Americans are just lazy, whiny babies. I live in a state where there isn’t widespread mail in voting. You have to meet specific criteria to vote by mail, so I have never known anyone who has done it. No there is not an universal early voting period in all states. Look beyond your selfish little bubble.
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Post by shevy on Aug 18, 2020 14:39:18 GMT
The only one obsessed is Trump. Maybe his sycophantic followers as well. In my state, for the primaries, for the first time to my knowledge, we were all issued mail in ballots and things went well. Why they didn't decide to continue it for the November elections, I don't know, but you can request a mail in ballot to be dropped off at a ballot box or mail, assuming we still have a post office. Most of our usual voting places will not be open, but they have decided to open our high schools as voting locations. Still, a HUGE loss of voting access. I anticipate lines will be long and volunteers will be few. DH and I have volunteered to be election judges. We don't want seniors to feel obligated to work all day amidst a pandemic. We'll be taking the day off, masking up and doing our part. I already feel a low level of dread at the prolonged exposure to large amounts of people, but Trump and the entire GOP need to feel the stinging rebuke of a hurting nation who want dignity restored to the White House. Who do you contact to volunteer? Kristin, call your county election office and volunteer. I called to volunteer earlier this year and was told my county has a waiting list already for election judges this year! But I know the one I work for is lacking.
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Post by shevy on Aug 18, 2020 14:41:34 GMT
Voting by mail is a legal method. Why work so hard to disallow it? This. It's the most direct, simple statement that accurately expresses what is really going on.
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Post by myshelly on Aug 18, 2020 14:51:50 GMT
I don’t get it either. All this talk of lines on Election Day - isn’t there a two week early voting period? People could go then and the line would be spread out over two weeks. Look at what people in other countries have to do to vote. Americans are just lazy, whiny babies. I live in a state where there isn’t widespread mail in voting. You have to meet specific criteria to vote by mail, so I have never known anyone who has done it. No there is not an universal early voting period in all states. Look beyond your selfish little bubble. I don’t get why you’re being a bitch. I didn’t know that not every state had early voting. I responded to someone who said it in a normal fashion with a normal response. I learned something on this thread. But I didn’t learn it from you, who cared more about being a bitch than about informing anyone of anything.
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Post by myshelly on Aug 18, 2020 14:53:09 GMT
Georgia has 18 days of early voting. None of those people could plan ahead enough to vote early? But you think they would have planned ahead enough to vote by mail? Voting by mail is a legal method. Why work so hard to disallow it? In my state, widespread voting by mail is not legally allowed. People were working to expand it beyond what is legally allowed. I object to the expansion.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Aug 18, 2020 14:54:06 GMT
This is going to be the most contested election in history. States where you have to request a ballot at least have a way to verify them. States that are mailing actual ballots are the ones that are going to be challenged if the race is close. The post office warned all 50 states back in late May that they might not be able to meet the deadline the states were issuing link. Each and EVERY ballot mailed out has a barcode on envelopes. There is no barcode on the ballots. Signatures are on the most interior envelope for the mail back. There really is no random to the process. there ARE many safeguards.
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Post by ntsf on Aug 18, 2020 15:02:32 GMT
I'm glad for mail in voting. even though we have had plenty of polling places.. all my family does mail in voting. it is just easier to fill out at home and mail or drop off. we have been so desperate for poll workers.. that high school students are recruited to be poll workers. and then there are all the states that just do mail in voting and it works.. nothing special about standing in line. and we should have paper ballots--so there is a paper trail always.
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luckyjune
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,685
Location: In the rainy, rainy WA
Jul 22, 2017 4:59:41 GMT
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Post by luckyjune on Aug 18, 2020 15:02:34 GMT
When we voted by precinct location, the total time (driving there, looking for parking, checking in, waiting for a voting booth, driving home) could take 45 minutes to an hour. Many times this was done with three kids in tow.
Voting by mail (including walking the ballot in the postage-free envelope to the mailbox across the street) takes five minutes.
Saves time, saves money, I don't have to drive my car.
The only downfall to mail-in voting that I can conjure is no "I voted" sticker. For some people, I'm sure that's a deal breaker.
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smginaz Suzy
Pearl Clutcher
Je suis desole.
Posts: 2,606
Jun 26, 2014 17:27:30 GMT
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Post by smginaz Suzy on Aug 18, 2020 15:10:38 GMT
No there is not an universal early voting period in all states. Look beyond your selfish little bubble. I don’t get why you’re being a bitch. I didn’t know that not every state had early voting. I responded to someone who said it in a normal fashion with a normal response. I learned something on this thread. But I didn’t learn it from you, who cared more about being a bitch than about informing anyone of anything. Lazy whiny...check your privilege, hun.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Aug 18, 2020 15:15:54 GMT
Voting by mail (including walking the ballot in the postage-free envelope to the mailbox across the street) takes five minutes. Saves time, saves money, I don't have to drive my car. This year add a stamp for first class mail, or get in the car and drop in a protected ballot box!
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Post by katlady on Aug 18, 2020 15:19:08 GMT
The only downfall to mail-in voting that I can conjure is no "I voted" sticker. For some people, I'm sure that's a deal breaker. My last mail-in ballot had a sticker included. I was surprised. Also, if I drop my ballot off rather than mail it in, they give out the sticker when you hand over your ballot.
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Post by myshelly on Aug 18, 2020 15:19:35 GMT
I don’t get why you’re being a bitch. I didn’t know that not every state had early voting. I responded to someone who said it in a normal fashion with a normal response. I learned something on this thread. But I didn’t learn it from you, who cared more about being a bitch than about informing anyone of anything. Lazy whiny...check your privilege, hun. I mean, look at the posts in this thread - I don’t wanna stand in line I don’t wanna take my kids I only want it to take 5 minutes. Yes, that all seems lazy and whiny to me. Are there people who have real concerns about access to voting? Yes. Are those people peas? No. The peas are by and large a privileged bunch.
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casii
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,474
Jun 29, 2014 14:40:44 GMT
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Post by casii on Aug 18, 2020 15:20:04 GMT
The only one obsessed is Trump. Maybe his sycophantic followers as well. In my state, for the primaries, for the first time to my knowledge, we were all issued mail in ballots and things went well. Why they didn't decide to continue it for the November elections, I don't know, but you can request a mail in ballot to be dropped off at a ballot box or mail, assuming we still have a post office. Most of our usual voting places will not be open, but they have decided to open our high schools as voting locations. Still, a HUGE loss of voting access. I anticipate lines will be long and volunteers will be few. DH and I have volunteered to be election judges. We don't want seniors to feel obligated to work all day amidst a pandemic. We'll be taking the day off, masking up and doing our part. I already feel a low level of dread at the prolonged exposure to large amounts of people, but Trump and the entire GOP need to feel the stinging rebuke of a hurting nation who want dignity restored to the White House. Who do you contact to volunteer? Yeah! I see Peas have already answered!
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used2scrap
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,036
Jan 29, 2016 3:02:55 GMT
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Post by used2scrap on Aug 18, 2020 15:20:55 GMT
When we voted by precinct location, the total time (driving there, looking for parking, checking in, waiting for a voting booth, driving home) could take 45 minutes to an hour. Many times this was done with three kids in tow. Voting by mail (including walking the ballot in the postage-free envelope to the mailbox across the street) takes five minutes. Saves time, saves money, I don't have to drive my car. The only downfall to mail-in voting that I can conjure is no "I voted" sticker. For some people, I'm sure that's a deal breaker. I recall getting a sticker with my mail in ballot in California.
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Post by FrozenPea on Aug 18, 2020 15:29:37 GMT
We voted early last presidential election. Stood in line for 3 hours!
Our prescients are in need of volunteers. Most of the workers are elderly and they are not volunteering this year.
I haven't been in a grocery store since December. Or target or lowes etc.
And why not vote by mail or at home & drop off your ballot?
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