Greetings all -- this is my first diary, so bear with me! I just got done doing a same-day vote for Barack Obama at Veterans Memorial in Franklin County, Ohio, today and thought I'd pass along some observations.
First and foremost, while there are lots of people around voting, the parking lot was not yet full from about 12:45-2 p.m. today. There are lots -- and I mean lots of Obama shuttle vans pulling up with people or picking people up. They are very easily identifiable and they always had people in them.
Opposite the entrance booth, there are signs for the Republican candidates and people standing around the McCain/Pailn signs, while an Obama volunteer ran around handing out Democrat sample ballots.
Once you walk in and ascend to the second floor, the line was growing by the minute. I was in line for 35 minutes to cast my ballot. In an attempt to keep things moving, the Board of Elections had workers continuously monitoring the lines and handing out absentee ballot requests and voter registration cards. Because the Ohio BMV and/or BoE did not have my address change from Sept. 23 processed, I did a same-day re-register. **REMINDER TO MY FELLOW BUCKS: TODAY IS THE LAST DAY YOU CAN SAME DAY!! TODAY IS THE DEADLINE!!**
I was directed to a row of computers where my addy change was processed on spot before going back into the main line. It was quick and easy, and for as swamped as the volunteers were extremely polite and in very good moods, which I wasn't expecting. Kudos to all of you!
I was then directed to a computer where the worker took my absentee ballot card and drivers license and custom printed the ballot for my precinct in the city of Columbus. The computers were running a little bit slow... it took about 7-10 minutes to print, but they were honestly swamped non-stop, so I understood.
From there I was directed to a booth where I was finally able to put my vote for Barack Obama on a paper ballot and shove it in one of two huge mailbox-like containers before getting my "I Voted" sticker.
The voting went very smoothly, aside from the wait, which was growing as I was leaving. According to election workers I spoke with the demand this year is beyond ridiculous... which is very good. I also saw and spoke with many, many first time voters and saw lots of the Dem sample ballots around, and I joked with lots of the long time voters... and lots of them seemed to be voting Obama too.
A very good sign the whole-way-round here in Ohio.