I just returned from early voting in Houston and I am jazzed!

[babylonsister]

There were 20 e-slate voting machines where I went; all 20 of them were full, there was a small waiting line, and folks were streaming in. I'm hoping they're voting because they are angry and ready to take action!
I marveled at the crowds and asked the pollworker how attendance has been this week (early voting started here last Monday); she told me it's been just as busy all week!

Finally, the write-in rethug's name is Shelly Sekula-Gibbs (competition for Nick Lampson, DeLay's replacement). There were people outside with literature available for anyone who was going to vote for her, explaining how to do that. I happily told the man who approached me that I wouldn't be needing help, as I wasn't interested.

I have to tell you, voting feels so good and filled me with optimism today!

[fooj]

1. Can they have literature at the polls? I didn't know they could do that.

[babylonsister]

5. I immediately thought the same thing, but these people were out

in the parking lot, so by law they were probably far enough away from where the actual voting was happening.

[fooj]

7. Maybe.

Is there any way you could look into what the law states in your area? Just wonderin'...

BTW- Thrilled to hear that there is such a great turnout in Texas! Woo hoo!

[babylonsister]

8. The info I was given when I went for training to be a poll watcher

says 100 feet, so I suspect they were respecting that.
And it was positively thrilling to know that people recognize the importance of voting
in the mid-terms this year. I understand there are years where turnout is really low,
but that didn't appear to be the case today.

[tpsbmam]

26. It differs by state but, yes you can within a certain number of feet.....

We voted in NY City until we moved to NC just recently. In NY, you can't be closer than 100 feet to the polls, but outside of that limit "electioneering" is allowed.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. Woohoo! Texans are voting!

Wait a minute!

[shaniqua6392]

3. I know how you feel!

I can not wait until election day. The suspense is killing me!!!

[karlrschneider]

4. They're allowing electioneering just outside the polls???

[alcibiades_mystery]

9. In PA, they stand within 6 feet of the door!

I grew up in NY, so i was shocked to see it the first time. They were literally lined up right outside the door, handing out literature. Oh well.

[karlrschneider]

23. I didn't realize there were such differences. It's 500 feet here in Okla

Thanks

[merci_me]

16. They can hand out 100 feet from

the polling place. That means, if the voting is inside a school cafeteria, the 100ft starts from there, not from the school itself. Each polling place is suppose to have flags posted and anyone campaigning has to be outside the flag area.

Also, anything they hand you, can not be visible inside the polling location. We always have a large trash container just inside the 100ft area, for people to drop the lit or pocket it.

We keep an eagle-eye on our precinct. However, at the early voting locations, those are pretty much run by appointees from the Republican Clerk of Courts. Going in and complaining to one of them is usually useless. They do act on it, if someone is waving an obvious partisan piece around in the room OR of course, if the violator outside is a Democrat.

I've gotten a Democratic candidate yard sign or bumper sticker and planted myself right next to the Republican campaigner and then my husband or a friend goes inside to tell the poll worker someone is inside the 100ft limit with a Kerry, etc. sign and they come out to shoo me away, but the Bushie has to leave, too. Heck, I was leaving anyway, lol, so I just smirk at the Bushie, who knows something is up since I just got there and I go stick the sign in the ground, in the legal limit area.

They could cite me, but they won't, as long as I'm standing there with the Bushie.

[Reciprocity]

24. "planted myself right next to the Republican campaigner "

That is so cleaver!

[WolverineDG]

30. As long as they're beyond 100 feet, yes

there should be some sort of marker indicating where that line is. In my county in Texas, the markers are big yellow posters. You can't miss 'em.

dg

[Reciprocity]

6. Same here in Angelina county.

However this is fundy central.

[Grebrook]

10. If turnout is high, it's good for the Democrats, this everyone seems to agree on

So I think this is very good news.

[KharmaTrain]

17. It Depends On The Area

I'll be a lot happier if I know the precincts in Houston proper are having high turn-out vs. those in the suburbs. I'm still concerned Democrats are looking past the elections already when there's a major GOTV job ahead in the next 10 days. Remember, the GOOP is putting the push on for it's "base" and to assume they're going to stay home is asking for a major letdown.

This week, I've got a list of several dozen Democrats in my area...people who we've flagged as being supportive but soft and to make sure they not only remember to vote, but to all but walk them to the booth. If they need a ride, that'll be arranged, if they need absentee, they'll be delivered tonight and we'll even take it to the post office for them. A couple of us are also organizing "Vote Date" parties...getting groups of people together to vote...people who if left to their own may decide not to vote, but with the committment to the date and the group, it's sure they'll get there...then a nice lunch for all afterwards.

Rove's "72 Hour" strategy is to do similar things...hopefully raise the Repugnican percentages 1 or 2 percent...enough in close races to make it too close.

Good to hear the voting is going good, but this election goes until the last poll in Hawaii or Alaska closes.

Cheers...

[Catherine Vincent]

11. Do you know where we can get the list of places for early voting?

[babylonsister]

12. I have 4 locations I can share with you, but don't know

if you live near any of them (I also have times polls are open). Pasadena, Clear Lake, near Almeda Mall, and downtown Houston. Would any of them help? PM me w/your location or precinct, and I'll see if I can find anything for you. I'll also be looking for a link you can use.

[Catherine Vincent]

14. Northwest of 45 North. 1960 area would work best for me.

Thanks!

[babylonsister]

18. Try this, cat_girl25:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/4277878.ht...

[Catherine Vincent]

20. That works!

Thanks, babylonsister!

[AnneD]

27. I have a complete listing for Harris county...

go to

www.harrisvotes.com

for listings in Harris county Texas.

[merci_me]

19. Full info at Harris Democratic Party site......

http://www.hcdp.org /

Everything you need is on this linked on this first page.

[Catherine Vincent]

21. Thank you too, merci_me!

[DoYouEverWonder]

13. Big turn outs at EV are being reported across the country

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

This is definitely good news for DEMS.

[KingFlorez]

15. Very good news

It means people are ready for change

[janx]

22. Voted in NM yesterday--line outside the door!

People are MOTIVATED!

[AnneD]

25. I voted at 8:20 this morning

at the Fiesta on North Main near the medical center (Houston). All but 2 machines were occupied. The poll workers said that it was steady since they opened. I was jazzed too. I love voting early-gives me more time to campaign and get others to the poll.

[judaspriestess]

28. I voted last night here in Las Vegas

although I am a born and raised Texan. I hope Texas gets a grip and gets rid of the governer there.

This dude I work with was wearing a tshirt that said "Texas got us into this mess"

I told him, Bush is NOT from Texas. Although we all hate this admin, I feel us Texans just have a little more hate for this chimp because of the bad name he has given our good state. Don't get me wrong Texas has its issues, but overall we are decent people like everywhere else. We are not all assholes.

[babylonsister]

29. That sort of leaves me out;

I'm a New Yorker who wound up here by fate, I guess.

But I know what you mean. Sadly, we may not be able to get rid of Good Hair because Kinky and Carole five names is mucking up the works. But I haven't given up hope!