The MidTerm Elections thread (2018)

[malchior]

Voted this morning at 9am and had to wait in line for about 30 minutes before being able to use machine. My town only has about 2200 people (as of the last census) so it was rather surprising as I didn't need to wait nearly as long in the 2016 election.

My central NJ town of 40K or so has 27 polling places. I walked over to there, walked in, signed the paper, and voted and walked home in under 10 minutes. I happen to be extremely close to mine though (local R.C. rec center around the corner). It was light. The workers said it was hectic early morning. Also, there was a monitor there for those inclined to care about these things but then again we were on the list for DOJ monitoring so I wasn't super surprised.

[Captain Caveman]

My wife and I voted early for Beto and Colin Allred (who has a good chance to flip our district-- TX32).

Unfortunately, our two Beto votes are more than offset by her parents, her sister, and her sister's husband. But there definitely is some Beto magic happening, especially in our neighborhood. I'm skeptical it'll be enough though. Texas is big and red and does everything it can to diminish Democratic turnout.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

No to drinking straw ban. Wtf.

Why the WTF? Single use plastic straws are pretty awful (Google the video of one being pulled out a a turtle's nose). A ban on all types of straws without exception is misguided (straws can be made of degradable materials, straws are essential for some disabled people, etc.), but I'm all for getting rid of plastic straws.

[coopasonic]

BETO

Please make this happen.

I'm on board. There are 28 million other Texans that may have other ideas, though.

[Archinerd]

I never get a sticker. Usually it's just a lame 2" square piece of paper, but it must be a special year because I got a paper wrist band this time.

[noxiousdog]

No to drinking straw ban. Wtf.

Why the WTF? Single use plastic straws are pretty awful (Google the video of one being pulled out a a turtle's nose). A ban on all types of straws without exception is misguided (straws can be made of degradable materials, straws are essential for some disabled people, etc.), but I'm all for getting rid of plastic straws.

I was a bit skeptical of paper straws, until we got one last weekend. They were every bit as sturdy as plastic. It's a good change.

[Archinerd]

No to drinking straw ban. Wtf.

Why the WTF? Single use plastic straws are pretty awful (Google the video of one being pulled out a a turtle's nose). A ban on all types of straws without exception is misguided (straws can be made of degradable materials, straws are essential for some disabled people, etc.), but I'm all for getting rid of plastic straws.

I'm against plastic straws too, but I think this is a waste of resources and effort.
Who is going to enforce this? What's the penalty?
I also voted "NO".

[LawBeefaroni]

No to drinking straw ban. Wtf.

Why the WTF? Single use plastic straws are pretty awful (Google the video of one being pulled out a a turtle's nose). A ban on all types of straws without exception is misguided (straws can be made of degradable materials, straws are essential for some disabled people, etc.), but I'm all for getting rid of plastic straws.

I don't have a problem in principle (they're banned in our house except for bubble tea) but it's largely unenforcable. The real problem is people littering but the burden will go to everyone but.

The wording bans the "use of". Are they going to fine people on the street? Are they going to check cups at the border? Will they do a chemical composition test? It's absurd.


You want to stop plastic straws? Hit restaurants that use them with a tax/fee for plastic at the source. Like with plastic bags.

Don't try to ban the use of them when the real problem is improper disposal/waste.

[Sepiche]

Just got back from voting here. With the caveat that this is the richest county in Kansas (meaning we have a very well funded election system) this was the longest lines I've ever seen to vote including presidential election years. That said, because this is rich, white Kansas that was only about a 10 minute wait, but that the first time I've ever not been able to just walk in and immediately vote.

They even said from 7 - about 10 they had a solid line snaking out the door which is highly unusual here. I live in traditionally purple suburbs that are prime territory to flip blue so here's hoping that's a good sign.

[LawBeefaroni]

The Atherton Elementary School, which is serving as a polling place in Michigan, is holding armed intruder training sessions on Election Day. But don’t worry: The district informed voters that they should not be alarmed if they hear gunshots and see people fleeing the campus. There will also be several police vehicles in the parking lot from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Polling place failures.

[Defiant]

538's live blog

They've frozen their forecasts, with a final result of:

Generic Ballot: +8.7 for the Democrats
House: 87.9% chance Democrats win the House
Senate: 80.9% for the Republicans
Governorship: 24D v 26R

[naednek]

No to drinking straw ban. Wtf.

Why the WTF? Single use plastic straws are pretty awful (Google the video of one being pulled out a a turtle's nose). A ban on all types of straws without exception is misguided (straws can be made of degradable materials, straws are essential for some disabled people, etc.), but I'm all for getting rid of plastic straws.

I was a bit skeptical of paper straws, until we got one last weekend. They were every bit as sturdy as plastic. It's a good change.

has a strange taste

[Smoove_B]

Tiffany Eichner of OKC is a registered Republican but voted straight Democrat because of the Kavanaugh hearings.

I do wonder if more stories like this are going to trickle in over the course of the day.

[Fretmute]

BETO

Please make this happen.

I'm on board. There are 28 million other Texans that may have other ideas, though.

27,999,999.

I spent more time walking from my car to the front door of city hall than I did waiting in line.

[stessier]

I just got back from voting. About 55 people in line by my count when I got there and the line was just as long when I left. They had 8 voting tablets and it took about 40 minutes.

Out only ballot question was if we should make the State School Superintendent an appointed position rather than an elected position. I voted to keep it elected.

[Defiant]

[malchior]

Only a 14% chance of apocalypse. Guess that isn't so bad. I'll just go lay down for a little while.

[LawBeefaroni]

Only a 14% chance of apocalypse. Guess that isn't so bad. I'll just go lay down for a little while.

Apocalypse has no path to victory. It's a lock. Bet on it.

[Jaymann]

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

[Defiant]

Well, at least the apocalypse would have a pretty clear ending, sooner rather than later, so cheer up, there's that to look forward to

[Z-Corn]

Polls opened at 7:00, I was in line at 6:50.

There were about 20 people ahead of me. MI just got rid of straight ticket voting so everybody was taking a bit longer.

I was out at 7:27.

I went and got breakfast. Now I am waiting until 17:00 to drink.

[coopasonic]

In and out in 15 minutes. We were in line behind one guy to get our ballots and a few minutes to fill out the manual ballots with around 40 elected positions (~10 I skipped because they were unopposed) and 2 ballot initiatives (and I even knew what they were about and how I wanted to vote on them!) Apparently there are a lot of judges getting elected around here.

Hardest choices were positions that had R or L choices. Can I choose "no"?

[LordMortis]

Polls opened at 7:00, I was in line at 6:50.

There were about 20 people ahead of me. MI just got rid of straight ticket voting so everybody was taking a bit longer.

I was out at 7:27.

I went and got breakfast. Now I am waiting until 17:00 to drink.

At noon, there was no line and plenty space and they were breaking privacy rules because the ballots were way too back for the privacy D&D DM screens they provided. The ballots were a yard long and we were provided with 18" of space to fill them out.

I had to go slow. As much as I thought I was informed I was blindsided by two long form mills that took about four reads through to understand. All the more reason to scream why are 20 years behind on passing something like prop 3 and howcome so many seem to have bypassed the law and got away with getting an early ballot? Two more reasons why I've started voting defensively for the first time in the last few years.

[YellowKing]

From purely anecdotal evidence, our voter ID initiative is going to pass with flying colors. I've had a number of FB friends express shock and outrage that nobody asked them for a photo ID at the polls.

It's one of those "common sense" proposals that resonates with people who don't think about the true ramifications. In fact, every proposal on the ballot this year sounds at first blush like a great idea, even though at best they are completely unnecessary and at worst blatant attempts to rig things in favor of the GOP.

I will be shocked if any of them fail to pass.

[Skinypupy]

Mailed mine in 2 weeks ago. Easy peasy.

[noxiousdog]

From purely anecdotal evidence, our voter ID initiative is going to pass with flying colors. I've had a number of FB friends express shock and outrage that nobody asked them for a photo ID at the polls.

It's one of those "common sense" proposals that resonates with people who don't think about the true ramifications. In fact, every proposal on the ballot this year sounds at first blush like a great idea, even though at best they are completely unnecessary and at worst blatant attempts to rig things in favor of the GOP.

I will be shocked if any of them fail to pass.

In this age of foreign powers trying to influence our elections, I don't think it's as completely unnecessary as it was years ago. Bush v. Gore was close enough that it's a reasonable precaution. With the list of Republican shenanigans increasing daily, I put nothing past them and you may be glad you have voter ID laws a decade from now.

[Malificent]

From purely anecdotal evidence, our voter ID initiative is going to pass with flying colors. I've had a number of FB friends express shock and outrage that nobody asked them for a photo ID at the polls.

It's one of those "common sense" proposals that resonates with people who don't think about the true ramifications. In fact, every proposal on the ballot this year sounds at first blush like a great idea, even though at best they are completely unnecessary and at worst blatant attempts to rig things in favor of the GOP.

I will be shocked if any of them fail to pass.

In this age of foreign powers trying to influence our elections, I don't think it's as completely unnecessary as it was years ago. Bush v. Gore was close enough that it's a reasonable precaution. With the list of Republican shenanigans increasing daily, I put nothing past them and you may be glad you have voter ID laws a decade from now.

I'd be ok with voter ID laws if they *also* made it easy for people to get those IDs. But it never works that way.

[noxiousdog]

From purely anecdotal evidence, our voter ID initiative is going to pass with flying colors. I've had a number of FB friends express shock and outrage that nobody asked them for a photo ID at the polls.

It's one of those "common sense" proposals that resonates with people who don't think about the true ramifications. In fact, every proposal on the ballot this year sounds at first blush like a great idea, even though at best they are completely unnecessary and at worst blatant attempts to rig things in favor of the GOP.

I will be shocked if any of them fail to pass.

In this age of foreign powers trying to influence our elections, I don't think it's as completely unnecessary as it was years ago. Bush v. Gore was close enough that it's a reasonable precaution. With the list of Republican shenanigans increasing daily, I put nothing past them and you may be glad you have voter ID laws a decade from now.

I'd be ok with voter ID laws if they *also* made it easy for people to get those IDs. But it never works that way.

Yeah. It's damn near impossible to get a picture ID.

[malchior]

From purely anecdotal evidence, our voter ID initiative is going to pass with flying colors. I've had a number of FB friends express shock and outrage that nobody asked them for a photo ID at the polls.

It's one of those "common sense" proposals that resonates with people who don't think about the true ramifications. In fact, every proposal on the ballot this year sounds at first blush like a great idea, even though at best they are completely unnecessary and at worst blatant attempts to rig things in favor of the GOP.

I will be shocked if any of them fail to pass.

In this age of foreign powers trying to influence our elections, I don't think it's as completely unnecessary as it was years ago. Bush v. Gore was close enough that it's a reasonable precaution. With the list of Republican shenanigans increasing daily, I put nothing past them and you may be glad you have voter ID laws a decade from now.

I'd be ok with voter ID laws if they *also* made it easy for people to get those IDs. But it never works that way.

Yeah. It's damn near impossible to get a picture ID.

Snark detected. It isn't a coincidence that a majority of the people that have legitimate trouble getting picture IDs vote Democrat. It sounds reasonable until you figure that it addresses a problem that barely exists and disproportionately affects the poor and minorities. Also ask the Native American population in North Dakota how they feel about getting a picture ID (with address) when they are technically homeless according to their state law.

[Malificent]

Having waited 6+ hours in line to get my driver's license renewed the last time I did it, I can understand how it might be difficult for someone who works a low paying hourly job without flexibility to get one. Or for someone who doesn't drive. Or for someone who doesn't have a lot of mobility. I don't even want to think about what NC's new RealID is going to require in time and preparation.

[LawBeefaroni]

From purely anecdotal evidence, our voter ID initiative is going to pass with flying colors. I've had a number of FB friends express shock and outrage that nobody asked them for a photo ID at the polls.

It's one of those "common sense" proposals that resonates with people who don't think about the true ramifications. In fact, every proposal on the ballot this year sounds at first blush like a great idea, even though at best they are completely unnecessary and at worst blatant attempts to rig things in favor of the GOP.

I will be shocked if any of them fail to pass.

My response to anyone who wants "common sense" voter ID is to ask how they feel about "common sense" firearms ID cards.

Funny thing is the group that demands for IDs for one is vehemently opposed to the other and vice versa. I say both is fine, none is fine. But having one and not the other is hypocritical.

[noxiousdog]

From purely anecdotal evidence, our voter ID initiative is going to pass with flying colors. I've had a number of FB friends express shock and outrage that nobody asked them for a photo ID at the polls.

It's one of those "common sense" proposals that resonates with people who don't think about the true ramifications. In fact, every proposal on the ballot this year sounds at first blush like a great idea, even though at best they are completely unnecessary and at worst blatant attempts to rig things in favor of the GOP.

I will be shocked if any of them fail to pass.

In this age of foreign powers trying to influence our elections, I don't think it's as completely unnecessary as it was years ago. Bush v. Gore was close enough that it's a reasonable precaution. With the list of Republican shenanigans increasing daily, I put nothing past them and you may be glad you have voter ID laws a decade from now.

I'd be ok with voter ID laws if they *also* made it easy for people to get those IDs. But it never works that way.

Yeah. It's damn near impossible to get a picture ID.

Snark detected. It isn't a coincidence that a majority of the people that have legitimate trouble getting picture IDs vote Democrat either. Ask the Native American population in North Dakota how they feel about it.

Of course it's not a coincidence.

But Republicans aren't going to stop and they are going to perfect the loopholes available.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

In more pessimistic news, I only counted 4 “I voted” stickers in my undergrad class of 51 students. Even worse, two students were wearing Duke-branded clothing.

[Remus West]

The Atherton Elementary School, which is serving as a polling place in Michigan, is holding armed intruder training sessions on Election Day. But don’t worry: The district informed voters that they should not be alarmed if they hear gunshots and see people fleeing the campus. There will also be several police vehicles in the parking lot from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Polling place failures.

Gee....wonder how that happened in South Eastern Flint......puzzling.

[LordMortis]

In more pessimistic news, I only counted 4 “I voted” stickers in my undergrad class of 51 students. Even worse, two students were wearing Duke-branded clothing.

I have no urge to wear a sticker. I have a hangup against branding, unless its a concert TShirt or its the 80s and it's a free TShirt with a pack of smokes.

[Remus West]

In more pessimistic news, I only counted 4 “I voted” stickers in my undergrad class of 51 students. Even worse, two students were wearing Duke-branded clothing.

So, other than now knowing 2 kids are certain to fail your course, we need to know what other action you are taking to get them out to vote.

[coopasonic]

In more pessimistic news, I only counted 4 “I voted” stickers in my undergrad class of 51 students. Even worse, two students were wearing Duke-branded clothing.

If it makes you feel any better, I wouldn't wear the sticker.

[LawBeefaroni]

In more pessimistic news, I only counted 4 “I voted” stickers in my undergrad class of 51 students. Even worse, two students were wearing Duke-branded clothing.

I have no urge to wear a sticker. I have a hangup against branding, unless its a concert TShirt or its the 80s and it's a free TShirt with a pack of smokes.

They give out wristbands here. The kind you get a clubs/bars.

They say, "I voted, did you?" Always seems kind of accusatory.

[hitbyambulance]

WA state has been mail-in voting for yeeeears, so i forget what going to the polling place is like. and only this year did they provide pre-paid return envelopes! (i would walk them to a drop-off box to avoid paying postage [aka 'poll tax'] until now)

[LordMortis]

They say, "I voted, did you?" Always seems kind of accusatory.

As much as I post like an idiot with no sense of control here, I'm not a fan of calling attention to my presence in person. I'm not a fan "identifying" and I'm almost as much as I despise being putting "on the spot" I don't want to feel like I"m an a position to put someone else "on the spot" and the "I Voted' sticker seems to do all that. It's feels like a Heathers or "spirit week" thing. Like if someone came to you and said we're all dressing up for Halloween at work this year. This is optional. The lunch and photo session will be from noon to two. Sign up here for a dish to pass.

So the work Christmas exchange and work "such and such is pregnant so we thought we do a small informal gift and card and lunch. This is optional..." are constants in my life, usually spread by friggin H friggen R.