Polls are about to open and i have 65 people in line to get in. 3 precincts share this building. I’ve been the captain here for 5 years. Never seen more than 2-3 people wait before the doors open.
Describe your morning voting experience, or other state/local political stuff. Please disclose your approximate location, time you voted, presence of electioneers, etc. Thanks.
* CONTINUAL UPDATES …
* 11:51 AM - The PeoriaPundit reports a big problem with his voting machine: When I got to the end of the process, I start to cast my ballot and notice that my choice for president is … no choice. And the entire list was in small print and a barely noticed it in time. Fortunately, I was allowed to go back and cast my vote AGAIN. That time it took. At least, I think so. How can one tell with electronic voting?
* 11:45 AM - IL GOP Network to host live “blog radio talk” at 4 pm
* 11:42 AM - Just in time for lunch: Companies give free coffee, ice cream for election
* 11:40 AM - RedEye: Monday’s late-night wrap-up of election jokes… And a list of words to retire after election day
* 11:36 AM - AP: Long lines at polls as Illinoisans vote
* 11:18 AM - Watch what you wear: In McLean County, if you show up to your polling place in a T-shirt displaying your favorite presidential candidate, for example, you’ll be asked to leave and come back with the shirt turned inside out, said McLean County Clerk Peggy Ann Milton.
* 10:55 AM - Lynn Sweet: Bill Ayers shows up at Obama vote site to vote; Obama not there
* 10:53 AM - Vote fraud not a concern in Kane County: “Most of the complaints I’ve gotten are unfounded.”
* 10:52 AM - Sweeny: Will Blagojevich ties drag down some Dems today?
* 10:50 AM - Database to help ensure one vote each: For the first time in a general election, the database will give election officials throughout the state a way to make sure voters cast only one ballot.
* 10:49 AM - CBS 2: Impact Of Early Voting On Election Day
* 10: 41 AM - Mark Suppelsa is looking for political questions from WGN viewers
* 10:39 AM - IMPORTANT: If you did not receive an official notice at your polling place about the constitutional convention question language change, you should fill out this affidavit.
* 10:30 AM - WBEZ Twitter: Spoke w/ State’s Attorney reps on NW Side. They say turnout is huge. They report senior citizens were waiting to vote at 5:30am
* 10:29 AM - Group Plans To Conduct Exit Polls Of Immigrant Voters
* 10:27 AM - MetroMix has an election night party list
* 10:25 AM - From the Aurora Beacon News: Aurora Election Commission says it is unaware of problems with polls opening late. Two people have complained to us about this
* 10:22 AM - If you’re in Chicago, show your voting receipt and get free stuff
* 10:17 AM - Obama’s grandmother voted by absentee ballot before she died yesterday. Her vote will count.
* 10:14 AM - From the Cook County Clerk: There is no estimate for what time results reporting will begin, as data consolidation upon polls closure at 7 p.m. is not instantaneous. In many cases, polls will stay open to accommodate any voter in line by 7 p.m. The Clerk’s office will post up-to-the-minute results on voterinfonet.com for all 2,290 SUBURBAN Cook County precincts as they become available.
* 10:11 AM - Ten Reasons Why You Should Ignore Exit Polls
* 10:08 AM - Pantagraph election day blog: In LeRoy, almost 600 voters had reportedly cast ballots at the three precincts at the Water Tower Place polling place, 212 E. Pine St., election judges said, estimating much higher turnout than in recent years.
* 9:59 AM - I’ll keep this up as long as it doesn’t slow down my site. This is a live view of Grant Park from the Sun-Times [had to delete it]…
* 9:48 AM - From EMILY’S list: The EMILY’s List home page – www.emilyslist.org – will feature full results for all our women across the country… Follow-along online or catch the latest on my twitter feed at http://twitter.com/votefem
* 9:46 AM - ABC 7’s report looks at the Obama Effect on suburban congressional races: Congresswoman Judy Biggert was encouraging her phone bank troops Monday afternoon in Downer’s Grove, where she’s openly worried about the effect of Democrat Barack Obama on her re-election campaign.
* 9:43 AM - WBEZ has a nifty election day photo gallery
* 9:42 AM -Tweet the Vote, which was supposed to help monitor election problems, is apparently overloaded with traffic and inaccessible right now.
* 9:39 AM - People are already showing up for the Obama rally: The first person in line was Tom Krieglstein, who arrived Monday at about 7:30 p.m., he said.
* 9:25 AM - IL Congressman Rahm Emanuel considers White House chief of staff job: As of Monday night, sources said Emanuel had not yet made a decision. While some described Emanuel as “agonizing” over the decision, others said he seemed ready to jump — especially if he can take some of his congressional staff with him.
* 9:13 AM -GOP effort to segregate Lake County ballots fails: The Illinois Republican Party’s legal attempt to stop thousands of Lake County ballots from being counted on Election Day essentially ended Monday when a judge didn’t schedule a hearing on the matter.
In Downers Grove, I was in line at 5:55 and there were 30 voters in front of me. I arrived to vote in the Primary at the same time and there were 2 people in front of me.
- Bill S. Preston, Esq. - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:04 am:
Polling place (4 precincts) on the near northwest side of Chicago, largely gentrified neighborhood. Was 25th in line when I arrived at 5:50am. By the time the doors opened there were at least 100 people in line. By the time I left at 6:20am there were probably 100 more.
During the primary I arrived at 6:30am and was around the 30th to vote, no line.
Unfortunately, the polling place itself was pretty chaotic. The precinct workers didn’t seem to know what was going on and people were forced to stand in different lines to figure out which precinct they were in if they didn’t already know. Workers were asking people for IDs but when I subtly refused by just giving my name, they didn’t press me for it.
Off to a good start in little ol’Princeville this morning. Hubby went over at 6 am and a line of 30ish was there by the time he left. Con-Con flyers were available today. Village Hall were jerks and put up ‘no parking’ sign on the side of the street were the people had parked prior to sign. Guess it will be too much effort for village trucks to have to use the back parking lot on their grounds and walk around. Parking is limited out here to begin with and I found the sign rude and unnecessary.
- Bill S. Preston, Esq. - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:15 am:
Also had a con-con flyer but, truthfully, I doubt that many people read it. Overheard one of the workers discussing it with a voter and the worker said that the wording on the ballot was written in order to sway people against it so they had to include the flyer.
Per my tradition, I walked to my Oak Park field house at 6 a.m. Sun coming up, beautiful fall morning, trees ablaze. Usually, two or three people. This morning, about 200 lined out the door on to the sidewalk. I’m going back about 10:30, as Mr. Orr recommends.
I know all the cookies will be gone.
- Speaking At Will - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:41 am:
I was putting signs up for Jeremy Karpen (Green candidate for 39th State Rep [Antonia Berrios]) and Omar Lopez (Green candidate for 4th Congressional [Gutierrez] all morning. I noticed two things:
1) In Chicago there are no yard signs in front of polling place anywhere. I saw a handful of signs for Alvarez and Joe Berrios (but not Toni) at two polling places, and that was it. It really shows how the Democratic primary is the only race that typically matters in Chicago. It’s also why the Greens are shortly going to be the opposition party in many parts of the city.
2) Lines were long. Really long. There were four people lined up at my polling place at before 5:30am. When I drove by there around 6 there were easily over 25. Only one precinct feeds into my polling place.
Le Roy only has one polling place for all three precincts. At 6:45 the parking lots were full and I had to wait 10 minutes total to get my ballot and get into a booth. Definitely the highest turnout I’ve seen here, but in 2004 I was still living in Decatur.
Long line at 6:15 a.m. at Lamb’s Farm in Libertyville. I had voted early, but showed up to put up my McCain-Palin signs and other local candidates, especially Mark Kirk and Keith Gray. Lots of Kirk and Seals signs there already when I showed up, with a Kirk volunteer and a Seals worker at the polling place handing out literature (outside the electioneering zone, I was happy to see). The Kirk piece was a 4-pager with accomplishments and quotes from the major print media endorsements. Seals had a palm card along with Obama and Durbin simply saying ‘vote for change’, whatever that means.
The line had about 50 people in it; unheard of in this area, especially at the break of dawn. But at least it seemed to be moving quickly.
Long line on west side of Joliet. Polls opened before 6:00 at my precinct. Brought fruit for my judges and wished them time to be able to eat. For those of you who haven’t voted yet, please tell your election judges how much you appreciate their work!
loooonnngg line in the NW suburbs…I vote at a grade school and school isn’t in today (teacher institute day) and I had to park on the street, parking lot was completely full at 630…I did not get back in my car until 710. Last presidential election I voted, had breakfast, and still had time to spare before I hit 40 minutes…
Christ Community Church off Randall road in Kane. I was there at 5:50am and found maybe 25 ahead of me in line. I was out at 6:22am and it was busy but very smooth.
Northside chicago, 80 people in line for two precincts at 615am. I was asked for I’d and had to ask for the con-con question flyer, they weren’t handing it out with the ballots, though it was posted on the side of the booth. I was pleased that it was highlighted in blue on the left side of the ballot, however — hard to miss.
I voted at 8:00 am in NW Naperville. No lines. Typical number of people for a presidential election voting in the booths(about 8-10). I was #264. Everything ran smoothly, as usual.
Small rural town near Peoria. Baker’s dozen in line ahead of me at 7:55 am. Out by 8:10. Con-con flier not handed out, but sitting on table next to directions about the electronic voting machine for you to read while being processed.
- 32nd Ward Chicago - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:34 am:
Chicago 32nd Ward, 9th precinct. In line at 6 a.m. on the dot, longest line I have ever seen, about 80 people. Two other precincts also vote at this polling place so there was one line going in, but since the turnout for 9th precinct is always about 20 to 1 to the other two precincts combined, at 6:05, an election person did come out and ask people their precinct to see if he could get the others out and into the correct line inside the church. Everyone was calm inside, they handed me the con-con flyer, no question, and they had allocated many more voting booths to the 9th precinct. However, still took me until 6:45 to finish voting and I was number 54 to vote. Very smooth, not like the Waguespack-Malak showdown last time with Malak’s guys yelling at the State’s attorney!
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:35 am:
I was #242 for my precinct at my polling place at 8 AM, which is also the voting location for one other precinct. Traffic was brisk but not too busy, and I got in and out in about 3 minutes. I was not handed, and do not recall seeing, a flier or handout with the amended con-con question language; I also am not sure if my county got the amended language on the printed ballot. Con-con was the first question on the ballot.
North Belleville/ Swansea polling place serving four precincts. Arrived at 6 a.m. and had to park two blocks away. Two of the four precincts had no line. One had a bit of a line. The line for my precinct wound around the building. Waited in line for about an hour and was voter #117. (So they were moving people through pretty well.) We did not get the fliers clarifying the language on the con-con question.
Voted in Springfield on the way to work. There were a couple people ahead of me. More than 200 had already voted. Don’t know what the average is for that polling place. Never saw a flier on the Con-Con, nor was one offered.
Forest Park. The process took 35 minutes during the morning rush.
I requested a paper ballot. I got to the end and noticed I hadn’t voted on the Constitutional Convention. It took me a little time to find the Con-Con question.
I suspect that the paper ballots will have a large number of undervotes on the the Con-Con question in Cook County b/c of the layout.
By the way, I voted for a couple people I do not know, and several that I do not like. Now that I think about it, maybe instead of voting again at lunch, I’ll stop by a tavern instead.
Been working and watching a Chicago import electioneer for Gentes out my office window. Gentes should ask for his money back from the guy at the Fremont Township Center. He now is sitting having a coffee and smoke break.
voted in Spfld at about 7:30, no line, con con was the first item on the ballot plus there was a blue handout that was in larger type on the con con for you to read. over 230 had already voted
I got to my polling place in LaGrange right at 6AM. There was a healthy line of voters ahead of me. I waited about 20 minutes to vote. I asked one of the poll workers how many people had voted ahead of me. She said I was the 68th person to cast a ballot. Not bad for the first 20 minutes. The line behind me was just as long as when I arrived.
Gentes Chicago guy is now on his second smoke break in a half hour. The Township may have to seek restitution for the path in the sidewalk he is making as he walks back and forth.
I have voted in every election since I turned 18. I have never stood in line before this morning. About 10 people ahead of me. Went quick. It’s a small place in NW Illinois. 4 cars were backed up in the street, 2 in the lot, waiting for spaces.
Con con was first on my ballot and yes/no issues are usually on the back of my ballot with the judge retentions.
I’m in a Wrigleyville precinct, and my experience was very similar to Bill S. Preston’s (who was on the Near north side)…
My polling place was directly across the street. I got there are 5:50am, and was about the 40th person in line waiting for the doors to open. By the time the doors did open, there was about 40 more people behind me, including an adorable 2 year old boy who could not stop talking about seeing the “‘ ‘lection judge” walk past him. I left the polling place about 30 minutes later. At that point, there were likely 100 more people in line.
Florida panhandle precinct in upscale golf neighborhood took about 30 minutes. May be the exception in this university town based on early feedback.
- Proud Chicago voter - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:49 am:
There was no line when I went to vote at Lakeview Lutheran Church (Chicago’s 44th ward, precinct 36) at 9:00 a.m. I was in and out in 15 minutes.
Question, though - aren’t they supposed to tell you if you’ve “undervoted?” I did not cast votes for some of the lower-profile races where I didn’t know anything about the candidates, but the ballot guy didn’t say anything about it. Just curious.
It is official, I have been at work for one hour and Gentes guy has yet to hand out one piece of literature. He did have 4 smoke breaks though. The Township might have to fine him for the butts he threw on the ground.
I voted in Downers Grove at the church on Maple Ave. 8:30am I walked right in and voted, no line. They really need to turn the heat down in there because I was sweating. People should stop walking off with the black markers.
Several of us put up Republican signs at all Moraine Township precincts this morning. Heavy voting in Highland Park, Highwood and the two precincts of Lake Forest between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.
Seals hired folks to hand out palm cards at all locations. One person in particular seemed to do his best to inadvertently annoy voters entering the premises at a Highland Park location, the rest seemed pretty professional.
Turnout should be very heavy this year in this township. Early voting figures for this region were around 20%.
DuPage County location - I was #156 at 7:30 (usually I’m between the 10-20th voter at that time of the morning). No line but at least 7 other people voting at the same time.
I got to my gold coast polling place at 6:15. I was number 58.
I used to live in Bucktown. I believe that the last time I voted I was there around 7:15, and I was one of the first 50.
There were at least 50 more people in line by the time I left, an hour later.
I’ve never waited more than 5 minutes to vote, so an hour is insane for me.
I noted some minor glitches. No one was instructed to use the privacy folders (though they were available at all the polling booths, so people could use them). The lady in charge of feeding ballots into the machine was taking ballots and loading them (I loaded my own).
Some ballots weren’t marked with the ward and precinct numbers, which worries me. I made sure mine and my fiancee’s were marked though.
One person’s ballot wouldn’t go into the machine, so they marked it a spoiled ballot and let her re-vote on the voting machine. I’ve never seen that, so I don’t know if that’s legit or not. Both the republican and democratic judges were ok with it, and I didn’t hear any poll watchers protest.
Some ballots were showing up as “overvotes” - I think they lady said something to a person who had an “overvote” that they could re-do their ballot, but that they should be ok, and their ballot should count. The person did not redo their vote. Not sure if that’s legit. At the very least, I would think that whichever race they mis-marked would be wrong. The judges didn’t protest that statement either, nor did any poll watchers.
Next election, I think I’m going to request work off and volunteer to be a poll worker. I want to see how this stuff is supposed to work.
43rd Ward, northeastern Lincoln Park — arrived at 7:15 and waited 90 minutes. I was number 118 in line. I saw 3 or 4 people give up and get out of line to go to work. The Con-Con flyers were tucked inside those privacy folders they give you; don’t know how many people even saw them.
Evanston: no lines, maybe ten people in process of voting. Much younger election judges/volunteers than usual. And, much younger voters waiting to vote. An election judge neighbor thought that turn out was down considerably but put the cause to huge numbers of pre voters. I asked a few people on my way out about con con and they had all voted ‘yes’ as in ‘throw the bums out.’
82nd Precinct in Wheeling Township (NW Chicago Suburbs)
I waited an hour in line to vote this morning, and I was in line at 6. The polls were a little late opening, and the poll workers didn’t entirely know what they were doing, and when they tried calling their hotline, the lines were busy. Things eventually settled down. Absolutely no one wanted to touch the touchscreen ballots, almost everyone I saw opted for the paper ballots. I did notice that I did NOT get the extra sheet for constitutional convention language, but I just let it slide.
A former election judge there said that he saw more people in that first hour than normally showed up for an entire day.
In Carterville, a town of about 4,800, there had been 355 people who had cast their votes by 10 a.m. — in just one polling place. Polling workers said it was the highest they have ever seen. Also folks were waiting to get in when they opened their doors.
32nd ward in Bucktown. I voted at 10:00 and was #275. My precinct in the 2000 and 2004 general elections did around 650, in other elections usually about 300.
The judges had the blue con-con sheets out on the table, but were not handing them out. They started to do so after I told them they were supposed to.
There was no line when I went in, but the polling place had people lined up before it opened, and the line was as long as 100 people by around 7:00, then tapered off.
- Ed from Evanston - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 10:27 am:
I am doing Obama GOTV in working class south Indianapolis — very modest apts with pick-up trucks parked in front. There is a lot of enthusiasm among white voters here — the exact demographic that Hillary and many others have said Obama would have a hard time connecting with. At least as significant, there is no evidence of any McCain GOTV effort — not even a single yard sign….
Rayne of Terror - at a Will Co. location that I am poll watching at, they have given out Federal Ballots to a few people. I believe they are people that Illinois law says shouldn’t vote but federal law allows. Only the Pres., US Senator and Congress. No state offices or con-con. Maybe you got one of those ballots.
Just got back from my polling place (two precincts vote there) in Springfield. I’m the Committeeman for one of them and my judges said it wasn’t very busy. One guy getting a ballot in front of me and two people voting. I was the 173rd vote cast.
Just back from polls, 40 minutes total for six-block roundtrip walk and voting.
Place was full, but moving smoothly. I was 273 in my precinct. Fieldhouse is shared by two. Very high number this early.
Con-Con blue sheets sitting in a stack on the election judges table with no reference to them.
- Fan of the Game - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 11:04 am:
===Bill Ayers shows up at Obama vote site to vote; Obama not there===
They live in the same neighborhood, you know.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 11:09 am:
Northwest side of Chi town about 30 voters in line at 6:15 a.m. Pretty much unheard of around here. What is really cool is the judges are all kids in their early 20’s, also unheard of around here. About 45% turnout (11:00 a. m.) counting early voting and absentees.
Voted at 10 AM in far northern Lake County. 4 precincts, 1 polling place. Busy, but no lines other than a short wait for the voting booth. They had already exceeded the numbers of voters they normally get all day and had quadrupel the number of early voters from the last election in Benton and Newport townships.
I didn’ realize till I read the ballot that not voting on the con-con will be counted as a NO vote.
In western DuPage I voted at a location with two precincts. There were 2 people walking in ahead of me at 11:15, and those were the only people I waited for. Most of the dozen booths were occupied, but since there was an opening so I voted without delay. About 300 people had voted there ahead of me.
Have been voting in District 6 in Carbondale Illinois for three years and there’s always been just a couple of voters. This time the turnout was much heavier, though no lines. Thanks to the CapFax reminder, I was looking for the Con-Con notice and didn’t see one posted. I asked why and no one knew what I was talking about. I went home, called the Jackson County Clerk’s office and they knew exactly what I was talking about and said it should’ve been posted. So I walked back to my polling place (it’s across the street from my house, so it only took five minutes tops) to double check, and the election crew was already posting the blue 8×14 Con-Con sheets. “Nobody told us,” they said. Larry Reinhardt, our County Clerk, is always on top of things, so it’s hard to say where the process broke down, though it was clear there was a big bundle of blue notices already at the premises.
- Downers Delight - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 6:51 am:
In Downers Grove, I was in line at 5:55 and there were 30 voters in front of me. I arrived to vote in the Primary at the same time and there were 2 people in front of me.
- Bill S. Preston, Esq. - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:04 am:
Polling place (4 precincts) on the near northwest side of Chicago, largely gentrified neighborhood. Was 25th in line when I arrived at 5:50am. By the time the doors opened there were at least 100 people in line. By the time I left at 6:20am there were probably 100 more.
During the primary I arrived at 6:30am and was around the 30th to vote, no line.
Unfortunately, the polling place itself was pretty chaotic. The precinct workers didn’t seem to know what was going on and people were forced to stand in different lines to figure out which precinct they were in if they didn’t already know. Workers were asking people for IDs but when I subtly refused by just giving my name, they didn’t press me for it.
- Princess - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:10 am:
Off to a good start in little ol’Princeville this morning. Hubby went over at 6 am and a line of 30ish was there by the time he left. Con-Con flyers were available today. Village Hall were jerks and put up ‘no parking’ sign on the side of the street were the people had parked prior to sign. Guess it will be too much effort for village trucks to have to use the back parking lot on their grounds and walk around. Parking is limited out here to begin with and I found the sign rude and unnecessary.
- Bill S. Preston, Esq. - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:15 am:
Also had a con-con flyer but, truthfully, I doubt that many people read it. Overheard one of the workers discussing it with a voter and the worker said that the wording on the ballot was written in order to sway people against it so they had to include the flyer.
- Nobody Sent - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:27 am:
One precinct in new trier township has 200 votes in the first hour of voting. combined with early voting for that precinct, turnout is over 55%
- Wumpus - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:35 am:
A good turnout in NW burbs, but I still shoul dnot have wasted time early voting. My neighbor got in by 6:30, out by 7am
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:37 am:
Per my tradition, I walked to my Oak Park field house at 6 a.m. Sun coming up, beautiful fall morning, trees ablaze. Usually, two or three people. This morning, about 200 lined out the door on to the sidewalk. I’m going back about 10:30, as Mr. Orr recommends.
I know all the cookies will be gone.
- Speaking At Will - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:41 am:
Obama Voting as I write this.
- Sacks Romana - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:41 am:
I was putting signs up for Jeremy Karpen (Green candidate for 39th State Rep [Antonia Berrios]) and Omar Lopez (Green candidate for 4th Congressional [Gutierrez] all morning. I noticed two things:
1) In Chicago there are no yard signs in front of polling place anywhere. I saw a handful of signs for Alvarez and Joe Berrios (but not Toni) at two polling places, and that was it. It really shows how the Democratic primary is the only race that typically matters in Chicago. It’s also why the Greens are shortly going to be the opposition party in many parts of the city.
2) Lines were long. Really long. There were four people lined up at my polling place at before 5:30am. When I drove by there around 6 there were easily over 25. Only one precinct feeds into my polling place.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:44 am:
Obama just budded in line. What an elitist
!
- conservation guy - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:45 am:
It took 45 minutes to vote this morning-small town just east of Champaign. Longest line I have seen here in 30 years.
- Rayne of Terror - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:55 am:
Le Roy only has one polling place for all three precincts. At 6:45 the parking lots were full and I had to wait 10 minutes total to get my ballot and get into a booth. Definitely the highest turnout I’ve seen here, but in 2004 I was still living in Decatur.
- Team America - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:56 am:
Long line at 6:15 a.m. at Lamb’s Farm in Libertyville. I had voted early, but showed up to put up my McCain-Palin signs and other local candidates, especially Mark Kirk and Keith Gray. Lots of Kirk and Seals signs there already when I showed up, with a Kirk volunteer and a Seals worker at the polling place handing out literature (outside the electioneering zone, I was happy to see). The Kirk piece was a 4-pager with accomplishments and quotes from the major print media endorsements. Seals had a palm card along with Obama and Durbin simply saying ‘vote for change’, whatever that means.
The line had about 50 people in it; unheard of in this area, especially at the break of dawn. But at least it seemed to be moving quickly.
- Rayne of Terror - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:56 am:
Wait, there was no con-con question on my ballot in McLean County. Shouldn’t that have been state wide?
- tubbfan - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:57 am:
Long line on west side of Joliet. Polls opened before 6:00 at my precinct. Brought fruit for my judges and wished them time to be able to eat. For those of you who haven’t voted yet, please tell your election judges how much you appreciate their work!
- Beerman - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 7:58 am:
At 6:25am I was #115 in my small central Illinois town. Usually that time of the morning I’m #7.
- Juice - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:07 am:
Rayne of Terror, were you in Bloomington or anywhere somewhere in the rest of the county?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:08 am:
Passed a polling place in Arlington, VA this morning at 8:30am that was several blocks long.
- Mongo - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:08 am:
loooonnngg line in the NW suburbs…I vote at a grade school and school isn’t in today (teacher institute day) and I had to park on the street, parking lot was completely full at 630…I did not get back in my car until 710. Last presidential election I voted, had breakfast, and still had time to spare before I hit 40 minutes…
- Bill Baar - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:11 am:
Christ Community Church off Randall road in Kane. I was there at 5:50am and found maybe 25 ahead of me in line. I was out at 6:22am and it was busy but very smooth.
- prairie sage - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:23 am:
Northside chicago, 80 people in line for two precincts at 615am. I was asked for I’d and had to ask for the con-con question flyer, they weren’t handing it out with the ballots, though it was posted on the side of the booth. I was pleased that it was highlighted in blue on the left side of the ballot, however — hard to miss.
- Long-time Lurker - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:28 am:
I voted at 8:00 am in NW Naperville. No lines. Typical number of people for a presidential election voting in the booths(about 8-10). I was #264. Everything ran smoothly, as usual.
- Cornerfield - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:30 am:
Small rural town near Peoria. Baker’s dozen in line ahead of me at 7:55 am. Out by 8:10. Con-con flier not handed out, but sitting on table next to directions about the electronic voting machine for you to read while being processed.
- 32nd Ward Chicago - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:34 am:
Chicago 32nd Ward, 9th precinct. In line at 6 a.m. on the dot, longest line I have ever seen, about 80 people. Two other precincts also vote at this polling place so there was one line going in, but since the turnout for 9th precinct is always about 20 to 1 to the other two precincts combined, at 6:05, an election person did come out and ask people their precinct to see if he could get the others out and into the correct line inside the church. Everyone was calm inside, they handed me the con-con flyer, no question, and they had allocated many more voting booths to the 9th precinct. However, still took me until 6:45 to finish voting and I was number 54 to vote. Very smooth, not like the Waguespack-Malak showdown last time with Malak’s guys yelling at the State’s attorney!
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:35 am:
I was #242 for my precinct at my polling place at 8 AM, which is also the voting location for one other precinct. Traffic was brisk but not too busy, and I got in and out in about 3 minutes. I was not handed, and do not recall seeing, a flier or handout with the amended con-con question language; I also am not sure if my county got the amended language on the printed ballot. Con-con was the first question on the ballot.
- S. Illinois - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:38 am:
North Belleville/ Swansea polling place serving four precincts. Arrived at 6 a.m. and had to park two blocks away. Two of the four precincts had no line. One had a bit of a line. The line for my precinct wound around the building. Waited in line for about an hour and was voter #117. (So they were moving people through pretty well.) We did not get the fliers clarifying the language on the con-con question.
- colt 45 - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:41 am:
Avon Township, Lake County. Busy but efficient. In and out in 20 minutes.
- Obama - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:43 am:
In Hillary’s Hometown, I waited for 55 minutes to vote early last week while my daughter voted at 6:30a today and there was no line.
- Captain Flume - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:47 am:
Voted in Springfield on the way to work. There were a couple people ahead of me. More than 200 had already voted. Don’t know what the average is for that polling place. Never saw a flier on the Con-Con, nor was one offered.
I might stop by at lunchtime and vote again.
- Carl Nyberg - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:49 am:
Forest Park. The process took 35 minutes during the morning rush.
I requested a paper ballot. I got to the end and noticed I hadn’t voted on the Constitutional Convention. It took me a little time to find the Con-Con question.
I suspect that the paper ballots will have a large number of undervotes on the the Con-Con question in Cook County b/c of the layout.
- Captain Flume - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:54 am:
By the way, I voted for a couple people I do not know, and several that I do not like. Now that I think about it, maybe instead of voting again at lunch, I’ll stop by a tavern instead.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:56 am:
Expecting to be sent somewhere, I voted on the last day of early voting - and now I’m at home watching TV with my dog. Weird.
My election day surprise: Hoffman gets beat. The negative press against Blago in the Metro East and St. Louis is an albatross on Hoffman.
- Rep Ed Sullivan - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:58 am:
Been working and watching a Chicago import electioneer for Gentes out my office window. Gentes should ask for his money back from the guy at the Fremont Township Center. He now is sitting having a coffee and smoke break.
Rep. Ed Sullivan
- Rep Ed Sullivan - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 8:59 am:
Sorry, area is rural Mundelein in Lake County
- Highland, IL - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:01 am:
No line at 6:30AM in the two precincts where I vote.
Also, I noticed as they were looking up my name in the book that a fair amount of people had taken advantage of early voting.
I work in St. Louis - the polling place near my office had 100+ standing in line outside. You had to park a couple blocks away.
- Hack Slacker - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:02 am:
voted in Spfld at about 7:30, no line, con con was the first item on the ballot plus there was a blue handout that was in larger type on the con con for you to read. over 230 had already voted
- GA Watcher - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:03 am:
I got to my polling place in LaGrange right at 6AM. There was a healthy line of voters ahead of me. I waited about 20 minutes to vote. I asked one of the poll workers how many people had voted ahead of me. She said I was the 68th person to cast a ballot. Not bad for the first 20 minutes. The line behind me was just as long as when I arrived.
- Rep Ed Sullivan - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:10 am:
Gentes Chicago guy is now on his second smoke break in a half hour. The Township may have to seek restitution for the path in the sidewalk he is making as he walks back and forth.
Rural Mundelein, Lake County
Rep. Ed Sullivan
- Johnny - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:12 am:
I have voted in every election since I turned 18. I have never stood in line before this morning. About 10 people ahead of me. Went quick. It’s a small place in NW Illinois. 4 cars were backed up in the street, 2 in the lot, waiting for spaces.
Con con was first on my ballot and yes/no issues are usually on the back of my ballot with the judge retentions.
- Paul Richardson - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:12 am:
I’m in a Wrigleyville precinct, and my experience was very similar to Bill S. Preston’s (who was on the Near north side)…
My polling place was directly across the street. I got there are 5:50am, and was about the 40th person in line waiting for the doors to open. By the time the doors did open, there was about 40 more people behind me, including an adorable 2 year old boy who could not stop talking about seeing the “‘ ‘lection judge” walk past him. I left the polling place about 30 minutes later. At that point, there were likely 100 more people in line.
- Niles Township - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:19 am:
Surprised by the average turnout at the two precincts that vote in my polling place. Maybe everyone voted early?
- DzNts - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:33 am:
Florida panhandle precinct in upscale golf neighborhood took about 30 minutes. May be the exception in this university town based on early feedback.
- Proud Chicago voter - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:49 am:
There was no line when I went to vote at Lakeview Lutheran Church (Chicago’s 44th ward, precinct 36) at 9:00 a.m. I was in and out in 15 minutes.
Question, though - aren’t they supposed to tell you if you’ve “undervoted?” I did not cast votes for some of the lower-profile races where I didn’t know anything about the candidates, but the ballot guy didn’t say anything about it. Just curious.
- Just Asking - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:51 am:
It is official, I have been at work for one hour and Gentes guy has yet to hand out one piece of literature. He did have 4 smoke breaks though. The Township might have to fine him for the butts he threw on the ground.
Rural Mundelein, Lake County
Rep. Ed Sullivan
- taxmandan - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:52 am:
I voted in Downers Grove at the church on Maple Ave. 8:30am I walked right in and voted, no line. They really need to turn the heat down in there because I was sweating. People should stop walking off with the black markers.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:55 am:
Several of us put up Republican signs at all Moraine Township precincts this morning. Heavy voting in Highland Park, Highwood and the two precincts of Lake Forest between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.
Seals hired folks to hand out palm cards at all locations. One person in particular seemed to do his best to inadvertently annoy voters entering the premises at a Highland Park location, the rest seemed pretty professional.
Turnout should be very heavy this year in this township. Early voting figures for this region were around 20%.
- Rep Ed Sullivan - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:57 am:
Gentes guy may be in trouble. Looks like he is getting a talkin to by a higher up! Gentes must be monitoring CapFax.
Rural Mundelein, Lake County
Rep. Ed Sullivan
- Bluefish - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:57 am:
DuPage County location - I was #156 at 7:30 (usually I’m between the 10-20th voter at that time of the morning). No line but at least 7 other people voting at the same time.
- jerry 101 - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:58 am:
I got to my gold coast polling place at 6:15. I was number 58.
I used to live in Bucktown. I believe that the last time I voted I was there around 7:15, and I was one of the first 50.
There were at least 50 more people in line by the time I left, an hour later.
I’ve never waited more than 5 minutes to vote, so an hour is insane for me.
I noted some minor glitches. No one was instructed to use the privacy folders (though they were available at all the polling booths, so people could use them). The lady in charge of feeding ballots into the machine was taking ballots and loading them (I loaded my own).
Some ballots weren’t marked with the ward and precinct numbers, which worries me. I made sure mine and my fiancee’s were marked though.
One person’s ballot wouldn’t go into the machine, so they marked it a spoiled ballot and let her re-vote on the voting machine. I’ve never seen that, so I don’t know if that’s legit or not. Both the republican and democratic judges were ok with it, and I didn’t hear any poll watchers protest.
Some ballots were showing up as “overvotes” - I think they lady said something to a person who had an “overvote” that they could re-do their ballot, but that they should be ok, and their ballot should count. The person did not redo their vote. Not sure if that’s legit. At the very least, I would think that whichever race they mis-marked would be wrong. The judges didn’t protest that statement either, nor did any poll watchers.
Next election, I think I’m going to request work off and volunteer to be a poll worker. I want to see how this stuff is supposed to work.
- jbstyle - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 9:59 am:
43rd Ward, northeastern Lincoln Park — arrived at 7:15 and waited 90 minutes. I was number 118 in line. I saw 3 or 4 people give up and get out of line to go to work. The Con-Con flyers were tucked inside those privacy folders they give you; don’t know how many people even saw them.
- walter sobchak - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 10:02 am:
Evanston: no lines, maybe ten people in process of voting. Much younger election judges/volunteers than usual. And, much younger voters waiting to vote. An election judge neighbor thought that turn out was down considerably but put the cause to huge numbers of pre voters. I asked a few people on my way out about con con and they had all voted ‘yes’ as in ‘throw the bums out.’
- Illini Lurker - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 10:08 am:
82nd Precinct in Wheeling Township (NW Chicago Suburbs)
I waited an hour in line to vote this morning, and I was in line at 6. The polls were a little late opening, and the poll workers didn’t entirely know what they were doing, and when they tried calling their hotline, the lines were busy. Things eventually settled down. Absolutely no one wanted to touch the touchscreen ballots, almost everyone I saw opted for the paper ballots. I did notice that I did NOT get the extra sheet for constitutional convention language, but I just let it slide.
A former election judge there said that he saw more people in that first hour than normally showed up for an entire day.
- Devin Miller - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 10:19 am:
In Carterville, a town of about 4,800, there had been 355 people who had cast their votes by 10 a.m. — in just one polling place. Polling workers said it was the highest they have ever seen. Also folks were waiting to get in when they opened their doors.
- Bucktowner - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 10:22 am:
32nd ward in Bucktown. I voted at 10:00 and was #275. My precinct in the 2000 and 2004 general elections did around 650, in other elections usually about 300.
The judges had the blue con-con sheets out on the table, but were not handing them out. They started to do so after I told them they were supposed to.
There was no line when I went in, but the polling place had people lined up before it opened, and the line was as long as 100 people by around 7:00, then tapered off.
- Ed from Evanston - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 10:27 am:
I am doing Obama GOTV in working class south Indianapolis — very modest apts with pick-up trucks parked in front. There is a lot of enthusiasm among white voters here — the exact demographic that Hillary and many others have said Obama would have a hard time connecting with. At least as significant, there is no evidence of any McCain GOTV effort — not even a single yard sign….
- Illini Lurker - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 10:44 am:
Rich, if we fill out the affidavit about not getting the con-con extra sheets, where are we supposed to send them?
- Been There - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 10:45 am:
Rayne of Terror - at a Will Co. location that I am poll watching at, they have given out Federal Ballots to a few people. I believe they are people that Illinois law says shouldn’t vote but federal law allows. Only the Pres., US Senator and Congress. No state offices or con-con. Maybe you got one of those ballots.
- jwscott72 - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 10:53 am:
Just got back from my polling place (two precincts vote there) in Springfield. I’m the Committeeman for one of them and my judges said it wasn’t very busy. One guy getting a ballot in front of me and two people voting. I was the 173rd vote cast.
- culatr - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 10:55 am:
Just after 9am voted at SW Springfield precinct. Voter # 1084-highest I’ve seen at this time. Took about 30 minutes to vote.
- taxmandan - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 10:55 am:
I didn’t know I was supposed to get a handout on the con-con. No one gave me anything.
- Rob_N - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 10:56 am:
Re - voterinfonet.com…
The site is spotty through the morning. I remember this happening Election Day night in ‘06
- Juice - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 11:00 am:
Illini Lurker- You can fax an affidavit to pollwatcher@chicagobar.org or fax it to 312/554-2054
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 11:01 am:
Just back from polls, 40 minutes total for six-block roundtrip walk and voting.
Place was full, but moving smoothly. I was 273 in my precinct. Fieldhouse is shared by two. Very high number this early.
Con-Con blue sheets sitting in a stack on the election judges table with no reference to them.
- Fan of the Game - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 11:04 am:
===Bill Ayers shows up at Obama vote site to vote; Obama not there===
They live in the same neighborhood, you know.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 11:09 am:
Northwest side of Chi town about 30 voters in line at 6:15 a.m. Pretty much unheard of around here. What is really cool is the judges are all kids in their early 20’s, also unheard of around here. About 45% turnout (11:00 a. m.) counting early voting and absentees.
- alex - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 11:11 am:
Voted at 10 AM in far northern Lake County. 4 precincts, 1 polling place. Busy, but no lines other than a short wait for the voting booth. They had already exceeded the numbers of voters they normally get all day and had quadrupel the number of early voters from the last election in Benton and Newport townships.
I didn’ realize till I read the ballot that not voting on the con-con will be counted as a NO vote.
- Ken in Aurora - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 11:32 am:
9:30 AM at a single precinct polling place on the far west side of Aurora.
Voter 163, no line at all, only two of the four voting stations were in use. Pretty average turnout based on my number and time.
No mention of the con-con by the judges or any handouts, but AEC may have been able to reprint their ballots in time.
- muon - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 11:49 am:
In western DuPage I voted at a location with two precincts. There were 2 people walking in ahead of me at 11:15, and those were the only people I waited for. Most of the dozen booths were occupied, but since there was an opening so I voted without delay. About 300 people had voted there ahead of me.
- Saluki Yay-hoo - Tuesday, Nov 4, 08 @ 11:52 am:
Have been voting in District 6 in Carbondale Illinois for three years and there’s always been just a couple of voters. This time the turnout was much heavier, though no lines. Thanks to the CapFax reminder, I was looking for the Con-Con notice and didn’t see one posted. I asked why and no one knew what I was talking about. I went home, called the Jackson County Clerk’s office and they knew exactly what I was talking about and said it should’ve been posted. So I walked back to my polling place (it’s across the street from my house, so it only took five minutes tops) to double check, and the election crew was already posting the blue 8×14 Con-Con sheets. “Nobody told us,” they said. Larry Reinhardt, our County Clerk, is always on top of things, so it’s hard to say where the process broke down, though it was clear there was a big bundle of blue notices already at the premises.