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Turnout is supposed to be massive tomorrow, and long lines are probably to be expected most places. With that in mind, I wanted to pass along a few tips to help speed up the process -- please pass them along to your friends, and above all, get out and vote!!!
1. Educate yourself on the various propositions and ballot issues before you go in.
In addition to the President and other races for political office, there are a number of different proposals for state and local matters that appear on the ballot -- take a few minutes before you go to the polls so you can quickly vote on these issues without having to read them, consider them at the time, etc. The number one thing that slows down the voting process is people reading through, considering and deciding upon often long and poorly worded ballot measures. If you've already got your mind made up when you go in, you're obviously in and out much quicker, which helps keep lines down.
You can generally find sample ballots on your county's board of election web site, your local paper's site, or the Secretary of State's site (although that will only have state-level measures).
2. Vote a paper ballot, and vote it as soon as you get it in your hand
There have already been issues with the touchscreens not registering votes properly, being poorly calibrated, etc., but the biggest problem is simply that they are slower than paper ballots. In most states, you have the option of using a paper ballot instead, and you should take advantage of that option if it's available to you. Also, there's no requirement that you use one of those little booth things with the paper ballot, either -- you can do it against the wall, on a friend's back, on the floor, anywhere you can find space if you don't mind the relative lack of privacy.
3. Remember that you can't wear candidate gear in a polling center
Silly though it might seem, wearing candidate buttons, hats, shirts, etc. is considered electioneering in most states, and you may not be allowed in the polling location without removing or covering anything that advocates a particular candidate or position. Plan accordingly, so that you don't have to run back to your car to put on a jacket to cover it, etc.
4. Avoid Straight Ticket Voting
Notwithstanding substantive reasons to avoid straight ticket voting that would be best discussed in the Politics forum, in many states, the Presidential election is not included in the straight ticket vote. In other words, if you vote a straight ticket and don't do anything else, there's a reasonably good chance that you will not have cast a vote for President -- which is the most important race for most voters.
All little things, but if you use them, and you pass these tips along to your friends and family, they can have an impact, resulting in shorter lines and a more pleasant process for everyone. Even if lines are long, though, make sure you stick it out and VOTE -- it's too important to not do it...
1. Educate yourself on the various propositions and ballot issues before you go in.
In addition to the President and other races for political office, there are a number of different proposals for state and local matters that appear on the ballot -- take a few minutes before you go to the polls so you can quickly vote on these issues without having to read them, consider them at the time, etc. The number one thing that slows down the voting process is people reading through, considering and deciding upon often long and poorly worded ballot measures. If you've already got your mind made up when you go in, you're obviously in and out much quicker, which helps keep lines down.
You can generally find sample ballots on your county's board of election web site, your local paper's site, or the Secretary of State's site (although that will only have state-level measures).
2. Vote a paper ballot, and vote it as soon as you get it in your hand
There have already been issues with the touchscreens not registering votes properly, being poorly calibrated, etc., but the biggest problem is simply that they are slower than paper ballots. In most states, you have the option of using a paper ballot instead, and you should take advantage of that option if it's available to you. Also, there's no requirement that you use one of those little booth things with the paper ballot, either -- you can do it against the wall, on a friend's back, on the floor, anywhere you can find space if you don't mind the relative lack of privacy.
3. Remember that you can't wear candidate gear in a polling center
Silly though it might seem, wearing candidate buttons, hats, shirts, etc. is considered electioneering in most states, and you may not be allowed in the polling location without removing or covering anything that advocates a particular candidate or position. Plan accordingly, so that you don't have to run back to your car to put on a jacket to cover it, etc.
4. Avoid Straight Ticket Voting
Notwithstanding substantive reasons to avoid straight ticket voting that would be best discussed in the Politics forum, in many states, the Presidential election is not included in the straight ticket vote. In other words, if you vote a straight ticket and don't do anything else, there's a reasonably good chance that you will not have cast a vote for President -- which is the most important race for most voters.
All little things, but if you use them, and you pass these tips along to your friends and family, they can have an impact, resulting in shorter lines and a more pleasant process for everyone. Even if lines are long, though, make sure you stick it out and VOTE -- it's too important to not do it...
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