Vote, that is. Spent last night making some last minutes notes, finishing off my research. I felt very prepared. Went in with my list of choices, stood in line for far longer than need be, and did the deed.
I’m not sure how it’s been going other places, but they didn’t seem too organized at my site. I felt bad for the workers because it really wasn’t their fault. They had four machines, but only two of them were operating. In addition, the magnetic electronic whatever-the-heck card they had us sliding to access the ballot went a little fritzy sometimes. It would say that people’s numbers had already been used, which makes no sense.
To me, it is no mystery that people don’t vote. Not only do they have to THINK, but they have to take the time, deal with the lines and the problems with the machinery, and our incentive? A cute little “I voted” sticker, and I wonder if some people even get THAT! I’m taking a class right now on constitution reform and one of the issues is elections and voting. Does anyone have any ideas? We’re considering a national holiday for voting (so people don’t have to skip work), possible tax benefits, etc. Let me know what you think!
The Daily Show had a story a few weeks ago about a vote lotery, where if you vote you are automatically entered into a a million bucks lottery. See also http://politics.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/10/21/1330257
One thing that bothers me is that CNN, Fox and other media are already publishing results, exit polls, etc… Doesn’t that influence folks that haven’t yet voted?
Yeah, I saw the Daily Show clip in class the other day, actually.
I don’t think it’s so much a bad thing if the news is up to date. I mean, I made my choices and I don’t think anything an exit poll would say would change my mind…