I voted (West Virginia primary - early voting)

Morgan County early voting (0.00 / 0)

I was glad I'd seen and studied, the sample ballot printed in the Morgan Messenger. I'm fairly familiar with many of the races but as I went further and further down ticket I knew less about them.

Before I left for the clerk's office, I spent about 15 minutes with teh Google. From what I could find out about the different candidates and races, I was able to make a decision on all the races.

No lines. Only a small wait. Didn't have to show ID but I did notice they briefly checked my hard-copy signature against the (electronic) signature on file.

Voting itself went smoothly -- no problems to note with the ES&S touchscreen voting machines. They aren't my favorite form of paper backup -- I think voting with a true ballot and optically scanning is marginally better -- but they are better than no paper trail.

Kudos to W.Va. for adopting early voting. Now if we can only get same-day registration and Election Day as a holiday, we'd really be able to drive up election participation rates.

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by: Clem Guttata @ Sat May 03, 2008 at 19:10:56 PM UTC

I voted today (4.00 / 1)

I voted today on the electronic touch screens. It went smooth. A couple of tough choices, several great candidates for berkeley county sheriff and secretary of state race.

When a man embarks upon a crime, he is morally guilty of any other crime which may spring from it. Sherlock Holmes.

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by: Carnacki @ Sat May 03, 2008 at 21:28:24 PM UTC

my experience wasn't all that bad either (0.00 / 0)

i chose the paper ballots instead of the touch screens.  they made me show them my driver's license.  there were so many tough decisions to make.   i had some trouble sliding the ballot into the box they had.  really it took me about 10 minutes to vote.  since the courthouse in welch is very high on a hill here i had walk up a lot of steps to get there, especially since parking in welch is not that good.  it's usually very congested and the police there very strict there with the parking meters in town and near the courthouse so I had to park quite a distance away from it and walk quite a distance because of those factors.  

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by: bluemcdowell @ Sun May 04, 2008 at 02:44:25 AM UTC

Early Voting (0.00 / 0)

First, I am a registered independent.  I received a nice card in the mail telling me I could now vote in the democratic primary.  I was thrilled.  Made my way to the Raleigh County Courthouse to take advantage of the early voting.  I checked in and was shown to a machine and found that all I could vote for was local school board!  I asked if that was all I could vote for and the registrar said yes until the general election in November.  Well, I do not call that being allowed to vote in the primary!  What is the deal?  Anybody know?

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by: jancan65 @ Sun May 04, 2008 at 14:39:14 PM UTC

jancan65 (0.00 / 0)

Independents have to specifically ask for a Democratic ballot. The clerks are not supposed to offer it unless it is asked for.

When a man embarks upon a crime, he is morally guilty of any other crime which may spring from it. Sherlock Holmes.

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by: Carnacki @ Sun May 04, 2008 at 15:04:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

JannCan got jobbed on her ballot (4.00 / 1)

I feel like the the poll worker should have told JannCan when she inquired that she DID have an opportunity to vote democratic or republican and given another ballot.  If I was her I would file a protest with the courthouse clerk and ask for another ballot before it's too late.

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by: JBdem4usa @ Mon May 05, 2008 at 15:52:25 PM UTC

i agree 100 percent. (0.00 / 0)

she should do that JBdem4usa.  i too would file a protest.

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by: bluemcdowell @ Mon May 05, 2008 at 16:08:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]