druffine: (Default)
druffine ([personal profile] druffine) wrote2008-11-04 11:00 pm
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Go vote!


So, over here in Germany our TV channels are full of "America Votes" shows. We're watching too and we're very excited and waiting for the result.

Everybody who hasn't yet (and is allowed to): GO VOTE!

I'm all for a change. Germany voted the first female chancellor (our term for the head of the country) in 2005 which was a SENSATION. I believe you can do it, too.


QUESTION: In our TV they show lines and lines of people waiting in front of voting offices. Why is that? Shouldn't there be more of those voting offices now if there are so many people waiting? I have never waited to give up my vote here. No, I believe if we had to wait to vote - nobody would go there. Too much effort. We have at least one voting office in every district of town with lots of polling boothes. And what is when it's closing time and there are still people waiting? Are they still allowed to vote? Or will the door be closed in their faces? And why do you vote on a normal week day? We always have the voting day on a Sunday so everybody has a chance to go vote. Please enlighten me. Thank you!


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wolfshark: (Default)

[personal profile] wolfshark 2008-11-04 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
If you're in line when the polls close, they have to let you vote. We vote on a Tuesday because it's actually set in our constitution. And the number of voting booths is determined by each state, and unfortunately they usually assume fewer people will vote in some areas than others.

[identity profile] druffine.livejournal.com 2008-11-05 12:45 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you. I think in our constitution the Sunday is set as the voting. I'm not sure why one would pick a Tuesday though. I guess that has historical reason?

I thought you have to like announce that you're going to vote in the voting register/roll? Wouldn't they know then how many people are expected to vote where?

I'm just curious. Sorry.
wolfshark: (Default)

[personal profile] wolfshark 2008-11-05 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
Unfortunately, voting isn't mandatory in the US, so just being registered isn't a guaranteed show. So they make a best guess.

[identity profile] druffine.livejournal.com 2008-11-05 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, alright. I'm just stunned by the amount of people who have to wait. There seem to be so m-a-n-y more than expected.

And I don't believe voting should be mandatory - it's a right one can use or not. To not vote is a statement, too. But I think everybody should vote.

We have a register here of every person who has citizenship and everybody older than 18 years gets a polling card from their local authority a couple of days before the actual voting day. There is no need to register yourself again if you want to vote. Everybody who has citizenship can go vote.

[identity profile] grneyedwoman.livejournal.com 2008-11-04 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I think they decide the amount of polling places based on population. I know in my little town there is only one. It was busy today but no real lines.The polls are open until a set time but if there is a line it will stay open. They are open 7:00am till 8:00 pm I think. If you know it won't be convenient for you you can vote an absentee ballot. Many states have early voting. All are accommodated. This is expected to be one of the largest voter turnouts in many years. People are passionate about this election. Apathy is what got us into this mess. I am so proud to see so many standing up and voting.

[identity profile] druffine.livejournal.com 2008-11-05 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

I'm glad you didn't have to wait for hours to make your vote.

Our polls are open from 9 am to 6 pm. We have the possibility of a absentee ballot, too. There is nothing like "early voting" here.

I'm always glad when people support democracy by e. g. using their right to vote.

[identity profile] tabaqui.livejournal.com 2008-11-05 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
Omg, i'm so nervous and freaked and just....eeeeeee!!!!
My state, which has historically voted Republican *red* might go *BLUE* and vote Democrat this year! OMG!!!!
*waaaaaaaaaaaaants*

And yeah, there are lines. The voter turnout this year is an all-time high, thank Christ. What's really sucky is that some places the number of machines/booths/whatever to vote in is tiny because of long-ingrained bigotry. So a lot of places with a heavy concentration of Black voters have less machines, or really old ones, or whatever. Lame-ass, and needs to be changed.

For totally biased and left-wing news, go here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/politics/

I totally admit that it's not 'fair and balanced', but it's still the *news*, they're not making stuff up, and it's interesting.
:)
*bounce*
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