January 13, 2004
Get your Vote On
This member of the DCSOB team made it out to the polls in his neighborhood bright and early this morning to exercise his constitutionally-protected right to vote in a non-binding election where half the candidates aren't even on the ballot.
The polling place, a school on 17th street, was nearly empty when I arrived about 9:00 a.m. There were maybe 10 people in line to receive their voting cards. D.C. is still in a transition phase, as they had two types of machines set up - the old, folding booths, where people could "connect the line" by their candidate's name to register their vote, and a new touch screen machine. Being the technophile that I am, I waited the extra five minutes for the touch screen. It's a very easy, intuitive machine. You're given a "smart card," which is activated right before you enter the machine. When you put the card it the machine, it activates the vote, which lets you click on who you want to vote for, then provides confirmation. Even little old ladies in Palm Beach won't be able to vote for Pat Buchanan with this one.
Overall, excellent voting experience. But if the number of people in my precinct voting is any indication, there's going to be absolutely no turnout for this election. And the fact that it's non-binding doesn't hurt, either.
Regardless, go get your vote on - it at least shows that D.C. is willing to make a stand on an issue, even if the presidential candidates could care less about us.
Posted by amg at January 13, 2004 12:07 PM
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Comments
It's not just presidential candidates...it's just about everybody in the US. And you know what? They are right not care, really. They DC is a joke. It's not quite a joke, but...its close.
Posted by: DCThrowback at January 13, 2004 5:13 PM
DCThrowBack,
I'd have to disagree. DC has a significant population -- larger than the state of Wyoming, in fact -- and plays a major role in U.S. politics. We're just the bastard stepchilden at the moment, and deserve some level of recognition.
Posted by: Aaron G. at January 13, 2004 6:00 PM