Colleague reports that LA vote waits are averaging 3 hours. I still get to vote if I'm in line at 8, right?

I had no propositions. Such is the state of my life (and the life of my state).

HATERS.

Authorities Eye Voter Perks

Businesses that hope to reward voters today for exercising their patriotic right might be committing a felony.

A number of companies, including Starbucks, Ben & Jerry's and California Tortilla, said they would give out free food and sweets today to customers displaying an "I Voted" sticker.

But such freebies might be a violation of election laws -- they could be viewed as bribes even after a vote has been cast.

Leave it to the law to spoil all the fun.

meanies.

Remember when you could go vote on your lunch hour and still have time to eat? I think I voted for Ron Paul in that election.

Oh, that just seems ridiculous. "Yeah, the only reason I voted was for a free coffee and ice cream!"

Also, can I just say that I'm sick of the shouting matches everywhere? I've really had it, and I don't think it's gonna stop any time soon.

[link]

No person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, shall intimidate, threaten, or coerce, or attempt to intimidate, threaten, or coerce any person for voting or attempting to vote, or intimidate, threaten, or coerce, or attempt to intimidate, threaten, or coerce any person for urging or aiding any person to vote or attempt to vote, or intimidate, threaten, or coerce any person for exercising any powers or duties under section 1973a (a), 1973d, 1973f, 1973g, 1973h, or 1973j (e) of this title.

Legally, they can't ask for the sticker or some sort of "proof" that you voted, then.

Does it count as "coercing" though? Doesn't coercing have to be negative?

Thought about getting up early to vote before school today, then decided that I'd never be able to get myself out of bed, so set my alarm for the normal time. Woke up at 4. Gave up and got out of bed at 5:30, watched Family Guy, drank coffee, went and voted. In and out in under 5 minutes, no wait AT ALL, no ballot measures, no mayors, almost no nothing. The only reason it took as long as it did is I was staring at the screen, thinking, "Now, Obama's the one I WANT to vote for. Right? I'm not going to suddenly remember I got them mixed up and have to shoot myself after I get out of here. Right? God, I wish I'd gotten more sleep."

As a result, I'm cranky and half-asleep. But! Students left 12 minutes early because we're a polling place (don't ask, I don't understand either), so I think I can go home very soon. Yaaaaa.... snore....

Does it count as "coercing" though? Doesn't coercing have to be negative?

Not necessarily.

Relatedly: finally, the solution to low voter turnout!

Yay new thread!

Laga, I believe that the law states that if you are in line before 8, you can still vote.

Blarg. I tried to convince my uncle to vote No on 8, but he wasn't buying it. He said it didn't actually eliminate rights; they'd still have all the domestic partnership rights. And when I told him that they wouldn't be able to file taxes jointly because a partner wouldn't count as a "spouse," he said that, well, that's what normal people get to do, and since what they do is not normal, they don't get to do it.