I have seen several diaries (like this one on Indiana, this one on Charlotte and this one on Raliegh) celebrating the long lines at polling places as evidence of great interest and enthusiasm for voting. I have also seen these same diarists gushing over the fact that most of the voters waiting in those long lines seem to be Obama supporters. No doubt that is evidence of a great number of highly motivated Obama voters...BUT it is also cause for concern.
Here is the reason. Long lines discourage people from voting. The fact that there are long lines means that there are not enough voting machines, not enough personnel manning the voting stations etc. Now, perhaps the argument goes, that is a sign that turnout is higher than officials expected. Well, not in a place like Indiana or Ohio. In those places I worry that it is more a sign that GOP officials are successfully suppressing votes. Frankly, I think it is an outrage that people have to wait so long.
Over the fold to remember 2004
Remember 2004? Stories like this one. The stories of long lines in minority precincts were clear.
The Columbus Dispatch, central Ohio's dominant conservative daily newspaper, which endorsed Bush for the presidency, says Damschroder "has faced criticism locally and across the country from groups that contend an already short supply of voting machines were shifted from Democratic precincts in Columbus to Republican areas outside the city."
It was clear too that the strategy was to under-allocate voting machines to heavily Democratic areas. The value to the GOP is obvious. People can't wait in line all day and so they leave. I think that we shouldn't be celebrating long lines but rather take them as indications that Obama and the Democrats need to get on the ball to pressure state and local officials to be sure they have enough machines and personnel so that voters don't have to wait.
