Forgive me if there is another diary of this same title, I searched but could find none.
As I just finished voting, I thought I'd note my observations and give others a chance to weigh in with theirs.
I'm probably not the best person to host this open thread as I am new to Texas and am confused about the politics here, but, why not?
The most confusing element to me of Texas politics is the extreme number of policing organizations in the state. Sheriff, constable, local police, state police, county police--it seems there are an endless number of different police groups, and I feel like we have to vote for all of them. I live across the street from two sheriff's deputies, and I still can't work it out.
The one advantage to being new to the state is that you get your brand spanking new voter's card, the one which allows the people manning the voting station to brand me a "perfect voter". I know there are problems with ID laws here, so I was glad to have my card.
I voted at our local elementary school, and turnout seemed pretty steady. I laughed to myself a little as I walked in the door, as there were four people seated at a table ready to process me, and it was clear as day that there were two Rs and two Ds at the table. The first two were straight laced, middle aged, severe looking men with button down shirts and well parted hair. They were friendly, but in a cursory way. I think they had me pegged as a Democrat right away and weren't going to waste any breath on me.
The other two at the table were much younger, a man and a woman. The man had dreadlocks and the woman had a little pixie haircut and hipster eyeglasses. The older gentlemen and the younger folk didn't seem to be interacting any more than they had to.
I had my crib sheet handy where I had listed who I was voting for after perusing The Burnt Orange Report for a few days, so I made my way through the ten pages of voting choices I had.
It seems like a lot of work to be a voter in Texas. I did my best.
My tiny subversive act was to ask the dour Republicans if I could vote in both primaries. "No!" they answered, quite testily. I think I detected a tiny hint of a smile on the guy with the dreadlocks.
Perhaps all of you voted early, if not, share your voting story, turnout, observations, whatnot here.
Happy Primary Day!