Comments on: Early voting open thread?

By: William Rockhill Nelson

William Rockhill Nelson — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:33:17 +0000

ChrisM70,

Missouri uses two voting technologies. One is the touch screen. The other is optical scan – a machine that scans in the bubble sheets. Most voting locations have one or two touch screen machines and one optical scanner. In theory, they can have unlimited stations for filling out the bubble sheets, and every feeding them into one scanner.

By: ChrisM70

ChrisM70 — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:24:49 +0000

Eric, you voted absentee? I didn’t think they used voting machines for absentee voting. I guess I”m confused about Missouri’s voting system.
It would be nice if there was standard election rules for the entire country so there was less confusion. Maybe get rid of these stupid machines and just give everyone a piece of paper and a pencil?

Also, I would encourage everyone to pull up a sample ballot online, and decide who you are voting for before you head to the polling place. This will make it easier for you to vote quickly and keep the lines moving. Plus, you’ll be a much more informed voter.

By: Eric Thut

Eric Thut — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:46:50 +0000

I voted at the Center HS (KCMO) voting location this afternoon. Got there about 3 and took me till 6:15. The problem is not the numbers trying to vote – its the low number of machines they have (3) and the limited locations. With 3 machines they were only doing about 35 people an hour.

By: ChrisM70

ChrisM70 — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:18:28 +0000

I voted today at the 10 Quivira location in Shawnee today at around 1:00, and there was a line out the door. Even with what appeared to be a long line, it didn’t take more than 20 minutes, and the staff was very polite and helpful despite the cramped and chaotic conditions.

(One note: There’s not a lot of privacy when voting because of the tight squeeze to fit all the voting machines inside a small strip-mall space that used to be a consignment store. Also, I still find it a little weird to be placing all my votes on a “credit card” ballot. Don’t steal our election Diebold!)

I also have to say, after hearing more than 2 YEARS of campaign talk, I was very glad to finally get my vote cast, and every time it still makes me feel happy to live in a Democracy where we can choose our leaders.

Now we just have to wait and see if America is finally ready for change.
Obama/Biden!

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:11:04 +0000

KK – Thank you for the clarification! I am still thinking about voting absentee, but maybe I’m changing my mind. It might be fun to stand there among the masses exercising my rights!

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:54:09 +0000

i voted absentee at the KC election board a few weeks ago. i was one of two people at around 6 PM. you do NOT have to wait in line at the satellite locations… go to KCEB at 19th and walnut!

By: KK

KK — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:39:46 +0000

In most juristictions absentee ballots are actually counted first. “Provisional” ballots, those where they are unsure of the validity of the voter, are counted last.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:36:53 +0000

Aren’t votes from absentee ballots counted after all of the regular votes are counted on Nov. 4th!? I am weary of doing an absentee ballot and it not even being counted… Anyone know!?

By: Shay

Shay — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:13:14 +0000

Went to the 10 Quivira Plaza location in JoCo last Friday, about 6pm – I was in an out with no waiting at all. It was fabulous.

By: Chimpo

Chimpo — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:51:02 +0000

JoCo resident here, and I early voted at the Metcalf South location. We showed up at 4:15 on a Tuesday and the line stretched a good distance through the mall. After just about an hour, we had finally made it to the front of the line. Saw a lot of people come in and turn around, and they weren’t even seeing half of the line. One of the guys that was validating your info told someone on the phone that it’s about a 45 minute wait and getting worse every day.