IN/NC "I Voted" Today OR Early Open Thread (w/Update)

It's baaaaacck.  Time for another edition of "I voted," today celebrating those of you who voted in Indiana and North Carolina.

As always, tell us your voting experiences - where and when you voted, where there lines, signage, etc?   And if you don't mind, we'd love to know who you voted for.

And again, as always, an open plea for recommendation so that others can share their stories throughout the day and everyone gets a chance to read them.   Three cheers for democracy!

UPDATE: Important comment from Jenesq about what to do if you encounter any problems with voting in Indiana.  Check it out for important info.

NOTE: I forgot to add "I Voted EARLY" in the poll below, but if you did, just click on who you voted for as if you voted today.

•  Tips/Recs for the democratic process

  Let's go Indiana and North Carolina!  (p.s. please end this thing today, I'd happily not write another one of these diaries until November)

  by dansac on Tue May 06, 2008 at 04:39:10 AM PDT

  •  Sorry to beg, but keep the recs coming

    The polls are just opening and want those who vote throughout the day to have a chance to share

    by dansac on Tue May 06, 2008 at 04:59:03 AM PDT

    •  Thanks for these diaries...

      they provide wonderful stories and glimpses at the infrastructure of the ground game.  Invaluable and illuminating.

      by mayan on Tue May 06, 2008 at 05:39:37 AM PDT

      •  My pleasure mayan

        I forget when I first started doing these, but on voting days they are like a cup of coffee - I do it out of habit

        by dansac on Tue May 06, 2008 at 05:58:09 AM PDT

        •  Obama voters: report any problems @ 866-675-2008

          Then press 4. (Use the same number for North Carolina and Indiana)

          That number is the from the Obama website.

          UPDATED: The Obama campaign is providing voters in North Carolina and Indiana with a toll-free voter information hotline, in order to make sure everyone who is eligible is able to participate. The Voter Information Hotline is staffed by volunteers who will have the most up-to-date information for voters about the May 6 primary, including polling locations, transportation to the polls, and help with any questions that may arise on Election Day.

          Voter Information Hotline: [phone], press 4

          I hope any North Carolina or Indiana activists who see this post will circulate that number far and wide today, if they aren't doing so already. In addition, the page linked above contains additional information about voting requirements in both North Carolina and Indiana. There's also a link available on the Obama site to report problems online (in both English and Spanish).

          I know, dansac, that this is a diary for those who have voted, but especially since there are new rules in place in Indiana as a result of the SC decision regarding voter ID, I thought it might be good to post the number. Let's hope there won't be many problems. Thanks for a great diary.

          by Wordie on Tue May 06, 2008 at 07:57:37 AM PDT

          •  Update: Voter hotline is available to ALL!

            I understand from jenesq that the training that Obama supporters received was very clear on the matter and the voter hotline is available to all voters in North Carolina and Indiana to report any problems they experience, not just Obama voters. Thanks again, jenesq and kudos to the Obama campaign for their commitment to democracy!

            by Wordie on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:53:50 AM PDT

            •  Absolutely Open To ALL

              I served as an Obama observer at polls in Philly and they made it quite clear that help goes to all.

              by linsweet on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:04:44 AM PDT

      •  I second that.

        I love reading these reports. I only wish we had some pics/video of the voters. Anyone?

        by LaKathie on Tue May 06, 2008 at 06:23:22 AM PDT

        •  If you could post the pictures

          and videos in separate diaries, with maybe a link in your comment, I'd appreciate it.  Even with a speedy connection, lots of photos/videos can really slow down the process.  Thanks.

          by sap on Tue May 06, 2008 at 07:44:54 AM PDT

  •  We voted this morning in Jamestown (Greensboro)

    NC.

    At 6:50 AM the line was 10 minutes.  It's going to be crazy today, and I LOVE IT!

    Get this!

    A woman in front of my wife and I asked one of the poll volunteers if she needed to show ID, as a guy in front of her had his out.  The poll volunteer said "Well, some people do and.." at which point I cut her off, (sorry Mom, I didn't mean to be rude, but..) and said that there is NO voter ID law in the State of North Carolina and that you do not have to show any ID.  
    The woman looked at the poll volunteer, who shrugged her shoulders and nodded Yes.  

    My wife then chimed in something about making sure you give straight answers to peoples questions.

    Another Yes nod.

    I will now be a volunteer for poll watcher in November.  Simply stated, I hope you will too.  I do not believe the poll volunteer was going to deceive, but she was not going to discount the idea, either.

    Voter ID is completely B.S.  When you vote, your name and address are verified.  One vote is worth only one vote.  How many US citizens would try to cheat the system, knowing that if they are caught that there will be some serious ramifications when they only get in one more vote.  

    Consider being a volunteer and don't allow YOUR home district to be undermined by ANYONE.

    by funluvn1 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 06:12:46 AM PDT

    •  Wherever you are, your local Dem party ...

      may be seeking poll observers for the November election. It's important work and feels great to do.

      Bravo to funluvn1!

      by chapel hill guy on Tue May 06, 2008 at 06:17:47 AM PDT

      •  **Thanks for the advice.

        I've never done it, but I think I'll give it a go.

        by greylox on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:16:00 AM PDT

        •  I've been an election judge

          several times here in Houston.  It's a great feeling, especially in 2006 and last year during local elections.  However, this year I can not do it as I am on the ballot my own damn self!

          by mengelhart on Tue May 06, 2008 at 12:34:09 PM PDT

    •  in my poll, as I filled out my bubbles

      I heard a worker clearly say "you do not need ID to vote"  It made me smile inside

      by c0wfunk on Tue May 06, 2008 at 06:19:14 AM PDT

      •  wish I could have heard that

        ... here in Indiana.

        Sigh.

        by Kaj on Tue May 06, 2008 at 06:25:27 AM PDT

        •  Poll officer greeted me by name We are in same

          Kiwanis Club, then asked for my Indiana Driver's Licence as identification.  Insanity!!!

          by drmah on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:43:36 AM PDT

    •  Dems in Jamestown?

      True story: I was living in Jamestown in the 90's (Cedarwood area) and put a Clinton/Gore sign in my yard in '92.  After that my kids werent allowed to play with our neighbor's kids because the parents didnt like 'our kind'. I could only imagine a sign for an AA would've gotten more negative karma. Clinton/Gore were two southern white guys.  Has NC changed that much?

      Good luck in NC. GO Obama!

      by buzz in illinois on Tue May 06, 2008 at 07:59:03 AM PDT

      •  yes it has!

        And thank goodness for that!  According to the NC state board of elections, there are more registered dems in NC than repubs!

        by kisler1224 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:29:56 AM PDT

        •  Is GBO represented by Coble?

          I remember he was rep for High Point down to Asheboro in my day. Was it GBO also? A real throwback good 'ole boy. I remember his 'logo' was a sharp pencil, like he took a'sharp pencil' to budgets to cut waste. Unfortunatley for him all the waste was in schools and environmental protection and libraries. What a hoser.

          by buzz in illinois on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:57:00 AM PDT

          •  rec'd for

            Big L signature.

            Made me smile.

            by OWO on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:28:15 AM PDT

          •  some of it is

            of course, some of us are lucky enough to be in district 13 with Brad Miller!

            by kisler1224 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:17:16 AM PDT

      •  Same in south Asheville

        Last cycle we had Kerry/Edwards bumper stickers on our cars and about 5 parents physically restricted their kids from trick or treating at our house, even though the kids were crying out to come to the door.

        This was in Asheville's Biltmore Park, a nasty McMansion area where many of the area fat cats live.

        Needless to say, we moved out of that neighborhood as soon as we could. Hostile, aggressive, and greedy. Overwhelmingly Republican.

        by jatkin02 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 12:06:58 PM PDT

    •  Voter fraud

      is another Republican lie.  It is being used to suppress minority and poor people from voting, because these are people who will vote overwhelmingly Democratic.

      In fact, the only documented cases of people committing voter fraud are those of people like Coltergiest, who voted in two different precincts in Florida in 2004.

      The real voter fraud scandal is the open question of whether a Republican-supporting corporation can be trusted to count votes fairly.  These guys came to power be suppressing vote counts; they know what it takes to win.

      Thanks for standing up for the law!!!

      by Noziglia on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:11:26 AM PDT

      •  indiana the only documented cases of voter fraud

        are with absentee ballots.

        and guess what

        YOU DONT NEED ID TO SUBMIT AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

        you only need it at the polls.

        I think this law is tailor made to suppress young first time voters, college students.

        by biscobosco on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:10:04 AM PDT

      •  not that it matters, but ...

        people like Coltergiest, who voted in two different precincts

        Was it that?  I thought it was that she voted in a precinct of which she was not a resident.

        

        by JBL55 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 12:26:48 PM PDT

    •  NC Easier than IN

      I heard on a radio station left of NPR that Indiana has the strictest ID requirement of all:  you need a valid government-issued ID card with your picture on it (I assume this means drivers' license in most cases).

      This was largely viewed as a GOP-favored initiative, the Democrats dissenting along party lines, since most of the disenfranchised were, well, the disenfranchised, the usual suspects!

      by Bluesee on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:43:57 AM PDT

      •  Heard this story on NPR

        last week about a man who voted in the special election that Andre Carson won here in IN.

        He's a WWII vet, has a military ID card, everyone at the polls knows him, but he couldn't vote because his military ID card DIDN'T HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE!!!

        True story.

        It was on the Diane Rehm Show.

        by Dragon5616 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 12:11:04 PM PDT

  •  "Vote for Daddy!"

    :o)

    by Muzikal203 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 07:01:35 AM PDT

  •  We voted this morning at 8:30 in

    south Charlotte.  Just a small line at that time, but all of the voting machines were busy and it looked more like a general election than a primary.  My precinct should go heavily for Obama so I hope the turnout is good.  

    While we were there two people came in who ended up being in the wrong precinct.  I was glad to see how helpful the precinct workers were, finding the correct precinct for them and telling them how to get there.

    I want to share one more story from our precinct.  Before I got to a machine I noticed a young African American woman at one of the machines.  She was really into her voting.  I saw her punch in a vote then pump her fist as if in victory. I have no idea whose name she pumped, but I hoped that it was Obama and that it was a proud day for her to be able to place a vote for such a tremendous candidate.  

    I got chills myself when I punched Obama's name.  And I also got a little sad thinking how proud I would have been to vote for a woman who deserved my vote.  All of my life I've thought a woman should be given the chance to be president, but it has to be someone who deserves it.  Hillary took all of that away for me by devolving into what she has become today.  One day I'll be proud to vote for a woman, but the one who gets my vote won't have, in Carville's words, three testicles.

    by flahawkfan on Tue May 06, 2008 at 07:44:01 AM PDT

    •  Michael Moore...

      ...thinks that Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius in Kansas is going to be the first female POTUS. She's a rock star in Kansas and the midwest, and I hear she's fairly progressive as well.

      by Sparhawk on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:07:38 AM PDT

      •  I hope Obama choses her for his VP n/t

        by audiored on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:11:27 AM PDT

        •  That could be...

          ...a significant political coup.  Two firsts for the price of one!

          by Stephen Daugherty on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:32:23 AM PDT

        •  effin genius!

          by dj angst on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:41:48 AM PDT

      •  I like her a lot

        by Exquisite on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:24:41 AM PDT

        •  My choice for VP too. n/t

          by Dragon5616 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 12:12:17 PM PDT

    •  One of the hopes of feminism

      was that with an influx of women into business and government, we'd end up with a more caring, sensitive world.  The addition of women into power could only help balance us, we thought.

      Instead, women padded their shoulders and began taking on the less savory aspects of their male colleagues - trying to appear tough, displaying false cameraderie, cultivating aggression, utilizing Machivellian techniques to get ahead.  The acquisition of power was no longer a means to an end - it became the end itself.

      Hillary is one deeply admired woman of that (my) generation of feminists.  And so we are left with the man who could afford to remain true to himself, who refused to cast off his innate sensitivity and compassion in exchange for external power.  Here is a man who knows his inner voice, his moral compass IS his true power.  

      Honestly, I think a vote for Obama is a vote for the ideals of feminism that we started out with.  He, better than Hillary, will help us toward the more ideal world that still awaits us.

      by Gustogirl on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:30:23 AM PDT

      •  I agree--it's Michelle who's talking most about

        ...the struggles of two-career families and the way that I justified my switch to Obama from Hillary back in February had everything to do with that AND Hillary's silence on feminist/women's issues.

        I know that she has been a great advocate for children, but she has become a Thatcherite woman, not a caring one.

        It's saddening to see how women in the developed world have to act in power.

        But in the developing world, those hopes for feminism (as bringing caring and responsibility to the public sphere) seem to be borne out: micro-lending, etc.

        by Fernham on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:17:06 AM PDT

      •  Beautiful

        And so we are left with the man who could afford to remain true to himself, who refused to cast off his innate sensitivity and compassion in exchange for external power.  Here is a man who knows his inner voice, his moral compass IS his true power.

         

        Well written. I feel exactly the same way.

        by bethcf4p on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:58:59 AM PDT

      •  Thank you gustogirl!

        I have been making precisely that argument for months now. Senator Clinton is not the feminist candidate in this race.

        If it were enough simply to vote for a female candidate, then a vote for Phyllis Schlafley would equal a vote for feminism.  That would be ridiculous.

        by jatkin02 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 12:00:37 PM PDT

      •  Well said

        The acquisition of power was no longer a means to an end - it became the end itself.

        In that one sentence, you have neatly summarized one of my major objections to Sen. Clinton from the git-go.

        by NessMonster on Tue May 06, 2008 at 12:20:51 PM PDT

•  I'm leaving for NC Obama GOTV

  in about 10 minutes. Took vacation today.
  It ends here.

  by ParaHammer on Tue May 06, 2008 at 04:41:55 AM PDT

  •  Thank you.

    We all hope so.  I'm hopin for 15+ in NC so he can declare victory and a flood of SDs follow.

    by Michael Lawrence Gallagher on Tue May 06, 2008 at 04:43:22 AM PDT

    •  "a flood of SDs": music to my hopeful ears (n/t)

      by Fernham on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:17:49 AM PDT

  •  Good luck!

    Good for you for taking the day off. Wish I could have taken yesterday and today off and gone to NC, but I already did that for the PA primary, so I did not want to ask for any more time.

    by democrattotheend on Tue May 06, 2008 at 04:43:25 AM PDT

  •  P.S. Let us know how it goes

    If you have access to a computer at some point drop in and keep us posted!

    by democrattotheend on Tue May 06, 2008 at 04:43:51 AM PDT

  •  today's my b-day and this is my present. . .

    people working hard in NC and IN to bring Obama voters to the polls. (Thank you!!!!)

    P.S. -- Obama victories in both states would, umm, be really really cool.

    by GreenMtnState on Tue May 06, 2008 at 06:33:19 AM PDT

    •  Happy Birthday!

      Are you feeling "bullish" about today?  

      Sorry, couldn't resist.  My sister's b-day is 5/2, one of my best friend's 5/1, my son's 5/14 & my niece's 5/25.  As a Capricorn, I love all my Taurus peeps!

      by Josselyn on Tue May 06, 2008 at 06:36:31 AM PDT

      •  I'm a Capricorn, too, and my fiancee is a Taurus

        Supposedly we're the perfect match, but it's hard to tell since I always get the last words in ("Yes, dear").

        by DavidFosterWallace on Tue May 06, 2008 at 07:23:47 AM PDT

        •  Good Man! You're marriage should be perfect! :-)

          by Josselyn on Tue May 06, 2008 at 07:27:44 AM PDT

        •  Yes, dear

          Two hugely important words. You'll be a perfect match for almost anyone if you use those words frequently.

          by Korkenzieher on Tue May 06, 2008 at 07:39:22 AM PDT

          •  as Ogden Nash said on this subject,

            To keep your marriage brimming
            With love in the loving cup,
            Whenever you're wrong, admit it;
            Whenever you're right, shut up.

            (I think this poem is actually called "For Husbands!)

            by goheelsgodems on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:55:13 AM PDT

        •  I'm a Taurus with Capricorn rising. Does that

          make me a person who gets along well with herself? LOL!
          (I have to say I do like myself most of the time.)

          Congrats on the engagement.

          by teresahill on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:04:50 AM PDT

          •  I'm a taurus with scorpio rising...

            a bull who has to watch out for his own sting.

            by mayan on Tue May 06, 2008 at 09:51:34 AM PDT

            •  I'm still a Virgo, after all these years. n/t

              by Dragon5616 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 12:16:22 PM PDT

        •  Which begs the question:

          Is your fiancee a hybrid?

          by Stephen Daugherty on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:35:01 AM PDT

          •  depends on what he smokes.

            No?

            by agnostic on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:51:34 AM PDT

        •  If my Goat/Bull marriage is any indication ...

          ... you've got a happy life in front of you.

          Not necessarily easy, but certainly happy.  

          Best wishes!

          by JBL55 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 12:33:00 PM PDT

      •  My sister's birthday

        Was yesterday, but she's celebrating tonight with an Obama victory party! :)

        by rdxtion on Tue May 06, 2008 at 07:34:40 AM PDT

        •  We're celebrating with a bowling, voters reg.

          fund-raiser party!  We have a life-size cut out of Obama that we hope will do better than a 37 [in 7 frames, with the help of a 3 year old].

          by Josselyn on Tue May 06, 2008 at 07:41:52 AM PDT

      •  ummm

        I'm a 5/25 GEMINI

        by Gustogirl on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:31:28 AM PDT

        •  5/28 Gemini!

          With some slight tarus influence and my moon sign in Pisces...who can tell I used to date someone who loved astrology? lol

          by vertexoflife on Tue May 06, 2008 at 08:59:49 AM PDT