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by srwebwiti from FOX 6 Milwaukee

Last Post 9 days, 20 hours Ago


Early voting...
Oct 27, 2008 | 6:37 PM
Category: Political
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I understand there are legitimate reasons for allowing people to vote prior to election day (through absentee balloting). After all, if you're genuinely going to be out of town, out of country or just can't get out of work, you still have your right to vote.

On the flip side, I wonder if this election (and future elections) is becoming an election out of convenience (i.e. I'll only vote if it fits my schedule).

Here's my argument. Voting is one of the things that sets this country apart from many others in the world. Anyone can enter the voting booth, cast a vote for whomever they choose, and be a part of the process. So why does it bother me that more people don't just make the time to vote ON election day?

You hear it all the time -- only 10% or 15% turnout on election days. Now, certainly this presidential election will draw out more people. But when I start hearing about 50% turnout, I still wonder where the other 50% are; what are they doing?

What do you think?


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Member Comments Total Comments: 13
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F0x6Fan read my blog view my photos
Oct 27, 2008 | 7:08 PM

Voting is voting. No matter how you do it. JUST DO IT. In the future (possibly in 2012, we will be able to vote on-line)

Change is everywhere. It's called evolution.
bassplayer92 read my blog
Oct 27, 2008 | 8:48 PM

In my opinion election day was once a day of pride. A day people fought for, got tortured for and yes, died for. For me and what I teach my children, not a day to be taken for granted, but celebrated. Its up to a few, to speak of, practice and teach our young ones respect and discipline for this day and not to abuse it. But use the day set aside for us Americans and treat it as the precious gift that it truly is.

I feel much of this has been lost, and I could give my reasons but it would take away from the content of this blog. Anyway, to get it back is education at home. I will not rely on the schools to do it, again for obvious reasons. At home is where values begin and should be maintained throughout the life of that home so the young can learn and pass it on to their future homes. With this, the numbers will go up at the polls, slowly, but definitely in a forward progression.
Katbird read my blog view my photos
Oct 27, 2008 | 8:52 PM

I think a lot of people have given up because it seems, no matter how they vote, they are promised things during the campaign to get them to vote and then after the election they find most things promised weren't true.
Many people don't trust politicians and I can see why.
I like that they allow early voting. It may cause more people to vote. Although I worry that votes could get "lost".
Marine109 read my blog
Oct 28, 2008 | 6:55 AM

Early voteing is just another way to tamper with the outcome of an election. This precious right we all enjoy is being taken away from through fraud! The funny thing about it is no one does a thing about it, this from a country that is the example for other countries to hold free elections. What a JOKE!

As it seems, the very poeple who are trying to take this right from us just might be running the country with no one to stand in there way.

Wake up poeple! Are you sure you want the CHANGE that is heading our way?
Basher51 read my blog view my photos
Oct 28, 2008 | 8:32 AM

My wife and I both voted early. The long lines at the polls are really frustrating for both of us. Way too impatient, I guess.

But I do know that a lot of elderly couldn't abide the long lines. If they can vote early and avoid the lines, more power to them.

Me? I guess that I'm impatient and ADD.
why_not read my blog
Oct 28, 2008 | 8:48 AM

How do we know that early vote ballots actually get counted? Do they get counted and entered into the system right away? Or do they sit around until Nov 4th? And if they sit around till Nov 4, how do we know they are still there? I've only voted in a teeny tiny community, so I don't know how the security works in larger areas. Just curious.
garageman read my blog view my photos
Oct 28, 2008 | 9:21 AM

I believe that the "in person absentee vote" is two things. a) An oxymoron. b) An invitation to voter fraud.
srwebwiti read my blog view my photos
Oct 28, 2008 | 3:36 PM

Call me a skeptic. I just want to know people aren't voting twice (once in advance -- and then again on election day, when they're names are still on the lists). Also, for those who do vote early -- that they're votes are actually being counted.
ColbyDog read my blog view my photos
Oct 29, 2008 | 3:55 PM

early voting is just another way of tampering with the vote???

what... allowing people to cast their votes is Bad?
ColbyDog read my blog view my photos
Oct 29, 2008 | 3:58 PM

if we truly respected our right to vote... we'd make it a national holiday and allow everyone the chance to do it.

extending the vote was the only way to absorb the millions more people who are motivated to say NO to this abuse of power.... the only ones wanting to close down, restrict or tamper with the voters, are those in power who see the swelling rolls and the gathering crowds as motivated for change... hence threatening their rule. think about it.
hahnmeister read my blog
Oct 30, 2008 | 2:46 AM

In Australia, its a 4 day mandatory weekend, voting is on Saturday, and you are fined if you dont vote.

They have a remarkably high voting percentage...lol.

But here, its just another work day... not even a holiday. Im sure the GOP would block any attempts to make it a national holiday (a good idea IMO). Higher voter turnout tends to favor the Dems after all. Heck, if we had a 'mandatory vote' like Oz, I doubt the Republicans would ever get into office again. It would also likely cause a third party to emerge. It would be so great... so you can bet it will never happen.
Katbird read my blog view my photos
Oct 30, 2008 | 9:19 AM

I was just asking my husband why it isn't considered a national holiday and his response was, "then all the government workers would get a day off and who would count the votes."
It seems like a good idea to me to make it a holiday. Afterall, it is a very important day for our country. I am sure the votes would still be counted.
Isn't it WI. law that business owners have to give three hours off during the work day to allow voting?
loripav read my blog view my photos
Oct 30, 2008 | 4:56 PM

My husband and I voted early. We were able to get in right away. The lines were still long but not as long as if we were going to vote on election day.
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srwebwiti

FOX 6 Senior Web Producer. I've been with FOX 6 (previously TV-6) for 18 years -- most of that as a newscast producer. I work with a great bunch of people who are dedicated to the craft of bringing you accurate information told in a way that's easy to understand. I live for warm days when I can take the motorcycle out for a ride -- maybe get a little riding with my bicycle too.

Member Since: 8/24/2006


 

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