Today was the big day. I actually woke up a little late. So I was worries that going to vote would make me really late. Nevertheless, I had to do my civic duty. The girlfriend tagged along. Last election I was in a different house in a different county. So this would be the first time I would vote at the local school by my new house. I was pleased to see that there was actually some parking near the school. I was in a hurry after all.Outside of the school I saw a guy talking to people walking up to vote. When I got near him, I recognized him as a member of the local civic association that had come door to door. He asked us if we had any questions. I told him we were good. Maybe he was not one of those guys who try to harass you to vote for their choice. Perhaps he was just part of the election staff. Who knows. There were not any signs as directing your where to go. I just went inside one of the open doors.
When I got in, there was a large sign that said, "One line starts here". I stood in line. When my turn came, and a man shouted "next in line", I went up to him. However some lady cut in front of me. Normally that would mean she needed to get the beat down. But she was older, and was pushing an even older guy in a wheelchair. So I decided she would get a little grace. But by then I was in the middle of nowhere with nobody to service me. I decided to get back into line.
I told the guy who eventually serviced me my name. He did not ask for any identification which was strange. The only needed me to verify my birth date. I signed a paper that came out of a little printer. Then I got a voting card. And I went to stand in yet another line. I stepped to a voting machine when the time came. I put my voting card in the machine. However I knew something was not right when I tried to select English as the language. I had to keep hitting the button to start the voting session.
It was a total chore voting on this machine. I think the touch screen was totally hosed. Either that or the machine was very slow. I kept hitting the buttons I wanted. Somehow I got through all the questions and submitted my vote. It was a little confusing on the way out. I tried to give my stuff to a lady that looked like she worked there. But she said I needed to give it to the other guy that was handling the line coming in. Overall the voting experience felt a little more disorganized than at my last location in a different county. All of these people are volunteers. So I doubt much more can be done to improve this, unless I myself decided to volunteer and step in.
