Huge lines in NYC (Manhattan) even at 6AM.

[choie]

Amazing. I couldn't sleep so I just waited until 6AM and headed out to vote. In 15 years of voting in this district, I've never waited longer than five minutes. At six am the line was all the way around from one avenue to the next (and these are long blocks, from 1st to 2nd Ave)! In Manhattan -- where the winner's a foregone conclusion and we have no other races of interest (well, except for a councilperson or two, some judges, and one ballot initiative)!

I was chatting with some folks on line and, while none of us actually stated who we were voting for, it was obvious we were all Obama/Biden voters. (Gee, on the East Side in NYC, what are the odds? :D) Lots of discussion about how lucky we were to live in NY, where we have good ol' fashioned levers and we've never had issues with overvoting, undervoting, chads, "poorly calibrated" touchscreens, etc. And also what a pleasant, empowering experience voting is, and how we couldn't wait for the change a'comin', etc.

Of course, as it turned out, a few machines were out of service and the wait was about an hour. Heh. That's hubris for you! But it's all good. I got my ticket, stepped on in, and two ker-chunks later (one to the right to "set the stage," then a second to enter my votes) I'd cast my vote for the next President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama.

I love voting. I can't imagine not taking advantage of this precious opportunity to be heard. GOBAMA!

Any others from Manhattan here having similar experiences?

[billyoc]

1. No line at all in Hell's Kitchen, Musicians' Union Local 802 hall.

[Roninvet]

16. Queens no problem

Got there at 6 was out at 6:10.

[Honeycombe8]

2. WHY....oh WHY....doesn't NY have early voting? It's insane to think they

to think they can pass thru in one day the millions of people who are going to show up to vote!

[RagAss]

3. They rarely have "voting problems" in NYC

[Jersey Devil]

6. They do it without too many problems

The key is that they actually want people to vote so they have enough machines and enough poll workers. We don't need early voting in the NY metro area because our officials (on both sides) actually want the candidates with the most votes to win.

[choie]

10. Yeah, it is pretty crazy with such a vast population. Yet somehow we pull it off!

Like so much in this city, things basically fall together despite every odd working against us -- too much traffic, too many people, too little space, reputation for being rude and miserable. Yet everyone was all smiles as we waited to make history.

We're a city with lots of problems but so very much goes right here. A miraculous, preposterous place.

To be honest even if we had early voting, I think I would wait. It's too much fun to be part of this communal experience.

[NYC Liberal]

4. Big lines at 6AM on the Upper East Side!

I got there early so I was out by 6:20 but the line started getting huge right after I got there.

I happen to like the levers...you get the nice satisfying ca-chking! when you've voted!

[choie]

7. Hey fellow East Sider!

I'm near Bloomies. :) Like you I love the levers. Gives you the feeling that you're really working for your vote....pulling your arm across is very empowering. Kind of a Rosie the Riveter sensation.

It's a damn shame they're eliminating them!

[NYC Liberal]

12. Agreed! I wouldn't *mind* electronic voting if the machines, well...worked!

But the levers give you that special satisfaction.

You near Mayor Mike's house?

[choie]

15. LOL, no, wrong Bloomie. I meant Bloomingdale's!

Sorry for being unclear. You're probably closer to Gracie Mansion than I am if you're UES. I'm sort of on the cusp of UES and Midtown East.

[Jersey Devil]

8. The lever machines are the best

With every vote you get to see the counter on the side of the machine advance one notch and at the end of the night you go into the machine (election officials from both parties), reveal the voter wheels and write down the numbers. Couldn't be simpler or more trustworthy.

[lucabrasi]

5. 20 mins for me

This is in the village at around 6:30 this morning.

[rosesaylavee]

9. My son is voting for the FIRST TIME today at La Guardia High School, Manhattan

:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

I asked that he have someone take a pic of him - doubt that he will do such an uncool thing for his mom - but thought I would ask anyway. I took him voting with me a few times when he was growing up. So proud that he is voting and that he is participating today of all election days. Sent him a text this morning to anticipate lines as even our little sleepy precinct in a small Chicago suburb had a line out the door at 6:15.

[Starlight]

11. After much discussion, we decided to wait until after work to vote.

Hopefully everyone else will go early.

[choie]

14. Ha! I like your cockeyed optimism. ;)

I have a feeling you'd better bring a book or an iPod. I suspect the wait's gonna be epic. :) Good luck though!

[Starlight]

17. It shouldn't be too bad. I live in northern Battery Park City so there's a fairly small population.

I walked by the polling place on my way to work and there were no lines out the door. That's something at least. :applause:

[gblady]

13. I miss....

the process of voting...
my county has all mail in ballots...
which is great for the convenience...

but I used to love the whole ritual of waiting in line...
sitting in the booth....marking my vote...
handing over my ballot, getting and wearing
my "I voted" sticker for the day.

[yourguide]

18. Waited an hour this morning in Williamsburg Brooklyn

[Maven]

19. I'm about to go down to Tribeca to vote

I'm expecting a long line at the old courthouse, but I can't wait to vote for Obama!

[NYDem Observer]

20. Hour and a half wait in Harlem

I spoke with older voters who said they had never seen a turn out like this in the history of the district. It was pretty clear who everyone was voting for.