I just voted in the WA primary and I noticed a couple of things

[oldtime dfl_er]

As you no doubt know, King County has gone to this "top two" system of voting. Most candidates have their party preference listed after their name on the ballot. In most cases, the Republicans have "Prefers Republican Party" listed after their name. But Dino Rossi (and one or two others, I can't recall who) has "Prefers G.O.P. Party" after his name. Am I being anal when I question this? Shouldn't it be standardized? What if some people out there wouldn't vote for a Republican, but might vote for someone who "prefers" GOP?

Second, as I was signing in, the woman asked me if I wanted to vote electronically rather than a paper ballot. She gestured to a man standing near me, and said something to the effect that "he needs something to do". I said "Is it a Diebold machine?" she said yes. The guy standing there said "What's wrong with that?" I said "Thank you, I prefer a paper ballot." The guy said "The Diebold machine is perfectly safe. There's a paper record." I politely declined for a second time. Felt just a little bullied.

After I left, I wondered...is that guy from Diebold? And if he is, what right does he have to be there pushing electronic voting with Diebold machines? How do I find out if he was from Diebold, and if he was, should I make a complaint? Again, I wonder if I'm being anal or paranoid, but I just don't think that the representative of a partisan, for-profit company should be standing there questioning my choice of a paper ballot over an electronic one.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. More info can never hurt. I would want to check out who that guy was and where he was from.

[Diane R]

2. I noticed the same thing. Dino Rossi clearly wanted to hide the fact that he's a republican.

[medicswife]

6. I noticed this too when I got my absentee ballot. It made me laugh! n/t

[bethling]

9. His ads too..

If you notice, his ads all use GOP instead of Republican as well.

[Arnold Judas Rimmer]

10. His ads are pathetic

Blaming Chris Gregoire for the condition of the roads and transportation.

Uh, Dino, there's only one guy responsible for raping the state transportation budget......



...and I'll bet Dino and Timmy are good friends, too. :puke:

[ampad]

3. Have you noticed

That the commercials against Dino Rossi always stress that Rossi is a Republican. I think it is a good sign that people are turning away from anything Republican. I don't know how close the race is between Rossi and Gregoire but I hope it is not as close as last time.

[gateley]

4. Call the election board - they'll know if Diebold reps are on site.

Even if he WASN'T Diebold, an elections official (or volunteer) has no place telling you that a machine is safe. That's way out of line.

Was he there to "help" voters who opted for the Diebold machine?

[oldtime dfl_er]

7. Yes

He was clearly there to "assist" anyone who wanted to use the "touch screen" machine.

[gateley]

15. Let us know what you find out if you learn anything.

How dare he?!? The more I think about it the madder I get. Regardless of who he was!

[gateley]

5. Do they think people don't know that the Repubs ARE the GOP? nt

[SeattleGirl]

8. Dino is just being true to his slimey self, trying to hide the fact that

he is a Rethuglican, and hoping that people will be too stupid to realize that GOP = Republican.

As to the guy trying to push voting on the machine; I would also want to know if he works for Diebold. Maybe he really IS bored and there is no underlying motive there, but finding out won't hurt.

I always vote by mail; haven't trusted the machines since 2000.

[ieoeja]

11. "he needs something to do"

I'm guessing not many voters trusting the machine.

[oldtime dfl_er]

12. OK just got off the phone with King Cty Elections board

The woman I spoke with assured me he was "paid by King County to assist voters".

I still don't like it.

[SeattleGirl]

18. Did you tell her that you felt it was inappropriate for this man to

try and push you into voting on the machine?

Again, he may truly have just been bored, and had to malicious intent, but it was inappropriate for him to do that.

[LisaM]

13. There were a few weird things

Apparently, the Republicans are running away from the brand, or trying to change it. There was GOP, one that specifically says "Grand Old Party", and one said something like, "Republican tax cutting party".

I don't like the system very well.

[niyad]

14. being the quiet, shy soul that I am, I would have demanded the man's name, and called the

elections supervisor right there.

[windbreeze]

16. yes, on absentee ballot...

I noticed the same thing...thought what...now they aren't declaring that they are Dem or Rep...???? strange...and yes, no one should be questioning your method of voting...I'd report that interchange to the elections board....wb

[debbierlus]

17. This is important stuff. Call you county election board and ask

Don't let it drop.

Many irregularities have been revealed in the early voting process, so get the information and look into it further.

[oldtime dfl_er]

19. This would be the perfect opportunity

for Diebold to begin insinuating these machines into unsuspecting neighborhoods. Little local elections where no one is paying much attention. I don't want Diebold machines in my polling place!!!