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.

One thing I've noticed is how proud older black people are of Obama. For those who fought for the right to vote, endured dogs and hoses, beatings and jailings, Obama's candidacy is almost a personal triumph for them.

Another heartwarming story--

This morning, I escorted my new husband to the polls (I mailed my ballot in last week). We live on the diverse side of the tracks in Venice, California; the neighborhood around us is still predominantly black and Latino, even as the streets closer to the ocean have gentrified. There was a line; we were happy to see it.

After a friendly half hour in the slowly creeping line, a young black man drove up and helped an elderly black man out of his car. "Go on, grandad," he said. "They'll let you go first. Just tell them you have a hard time standing."

"Oh, all right," said the older man. He wore a loosely perched baseball cap, and a light brown canvas jacket. He could hardly walk, but he was smiling wide, laughing and joking as he came forward on his grandson's arm. We all made way for him without a word.

"I guess I gotta get past you," he said to us, apologizing for jumping in ahead. "I gotta vote for that black kid for president!"

well, that's what normal people get to do, and since what they do is not normal, they don't get to do it.

Would you mind if I re-educated him at the end of an aluminum baseball bat?

Prop 8 is really making me want to bitch slap a large portion of the populace.

Maybe I should eat, my blood sugar might be a bit low.

The top story at Guardian.co.uk (the liberal British paper) is the election. And by top story, I mean that section of the webpage fills my entire monitor, I have to scroll down to see actual British news. The election is also the top story at the London Times, but not quite as big. Still first, though.

The world is watching!