Have you made your Election Day decisions?

[stefania4]

I still need to research one local tax referendum, but other than that I think I know who I'm voting for.

[sab1976]

Almost. I'm still confused by Question 3 here in MA. And I guess I'm still not sure what to believe about Question 1 either. Can't get a straight answer from either side.

[KristiB]

Yes.

I'm all about the props this year. We have some on the ballot that deal with illegals and smoking.

[jimjimmerjim]

We sent in our ballots about two weeks ago.

This year nearly all of WA has gone to absentee ballots. This is really good in my opinion because I could sit at the computer and really research things that I would never have done in the past.

Another benefit is there is an absolute paper trail in case anyone wants to play around with the results. Not that this would ever happen...

[Kathy B]

Yes.

I'm all about the props this year. We have some on the ballot that deal with illegals and smoking.

What is the proposition regarding illegals? (Just curious as to what ideas are being proposed.)

I need to check out a few more things too. There are several amendments/propositions on our ballots as well. The ones with the most discussion are related to cigarette taxes and of course stem cell research.

[Valerie226]

This year nearly all of WA has gone to absentee ballots. This is really good in my opinion because I could sit at the computer and really research things that I would never have done in the past.


It is so pleasant to comfortably sit at home, read and research the issues and candidates. I've been doing an absentee ballot for years just for this reason, plus we are always on vacation at primary time. I regret long past elections that I never researched adequately. I'd get to the voting booth and discover there was always at least one issue or office that I hadn't realized I was voting on. I wish more people (and states) would switch to this. we'd have better, more well informed voters.

[lisas3575]

This year nearly all of WA has gone to absentee ballots.

I've been surprised that WA hasn't voted in vote-by-mail yet. I think Oregon is still the only state that is VBM-- no polling places at all anymore. They do online ballots for the vision impaired. Valerie, I agree that I am a much better informed voter. I voted this weekend in the comfort of my living room. :)

[Cookin4Love]

Yes--after a long weekend of reading and research. We have just been out of the loop on so many things, so this weekend was election weekend at our house. We sat down with the laptop, brochures, editorials, and everything else we could get our hands on. We took it one proposition at a time (and this is a proposition heavy ballot), looked at all the info/positions, and each made our respective decisions and lists. We also looked at materials on each candidate. So, I'm ready to show up at the polls bright and early tomorrow morning. Apparently, some people in the early voting locations were taking up to 40 minutes to complete their ballots. Granted, it is a large ballot, but you really should have a clue before you get there, don't you think?

[SDMomChef]

Just got back from my absentee voting! :D

[Valerie226]

I always read up on things but I invariably was surprised by something at the polls. there'd be some obscure thing or position I'd missed or sometimes the wording on initiatives is confusing and you're in a hurry etc and it's easy to make a mistake.
the smartest thing I ever did was switch to absentee ballots. no excuses like long lines or bad weather or traffic for not voting. we've had our ballots and voters pamphlets for weeks so could consider all issues and unhurridly make our decisions. Still there are plenty of people who are fighting this and resisting going to VBM. I don't understand that side at all. this is cheaper, more convenient, eliminates a variety of things that keep people from voting, and as I see it there is possibility of corruption and mistakes no matter what the method.

[Wendy w]

I will always vote absentee. It's just much more efficient. I completed mine on Saturday, with the assistance of a very helpful cockatiel and dropped it of yesterday. I like to be able to leisurely read everything with a cup of coffee.

Kristi, I'm also interested in hearing about what AZ is proposing about illegals. There is nothing on CA's this time. I voted no on most of our propostions this time.

[jellyben]

Dh and I had joked a few weeks ago that we wouldn't vote for anyone that leaves a message on our answering machine. But if we stuck to that we wouldn't be able to vote for anyone! That has to be the most annoying side effect of election time. My kids have gotten quite freaked out by the 9/11 widow and the mom who lost her son in Iraq-they thought it was grandma.

[leebee]

In Michigan, we can find a link to an actual sample ballot online. I print one off, we read it over carefully, and then can do any necessary research. I like to go vote. There's something about standing in the line and taking part in the process that is very fulfilling to me. We usually take our kids, because we vote before we leave for work in the morning, and I think it's good for them. Not everyone agrees, and I can certainly see the advantage of other systems. I think for me, I have the best of both. I can research at my leisure and be confident about my vote at the time I cast it. I just would hate to lose that feeling of participation I get!

[Curiosity Hears]

Yes, finished doing research this weekend. Have my little note card and am ready to vote.

[KristiB]

What is the proposition regarding illegals? (Just curious as to what ideas are being proposed.)



The two big ones are to take away their right to post bail if they're arrested and to take away their right to sue for punitive damages.

I'm voting yes on both.

[Becky13347]

Q- Have you made your election day decisions?

A- Yes I have decided that if I see another political ad on TV, I will put my foot through the television.

:D

Yes, I voted at lunch today. Here in Mich. I also took advantage of researching on- line. DH and I got to see, more in depth, the proposals and researched candidates. This was the most informaed I have felt about an election. iI had nothing to do with the avalanche of ads either!