News-Record.com

Very good turnout this morning at the First Lutheran precinct where I ordinarily vote. (Not necessarily good news for Republicans).

Right on, Doug. When I was a kid, we had to walk five miles to vote. In the snow. Uphill. Both ways. Every day.

Oh. Wait.

I'm happy to hear people are voting. Because I'm working tonight, I was able to go out to the Bicentennial Greenway this morning for a run. Twelve miles on the path and not one other person out there! I guess they were all at the polling places.

I vote at the same precinct as Joe Guarino. When I went in at 10:40 a.m., the line was not only out of the Fellowship Hall, it was halfway to the exterior door, about 10 feet away. In seven years in this precinct, I've never had more than 2-3 people ahead of me at that time of morning. Precinct judge said that precincit turnout, including early voters, topped 30% before 10:30 a.m.

Just returned from voting at Precinct 50/St. John's Methodist Church on Merritt Drive -- had to wait in line for a couple of minutes. Good turnout for this precinct so far despite the weather.

Amen.
Says me to the young black woman at the cash register at Chik-fil-A: "Don't forget to vote today" (something I, as a party hack, regularly tell people throughout my day on election days)

Says the girl young woman: "Huh? Oh... I'm not really into that."

Says me: ...

Not really into that?????? I resisted the temptation to be sanctimonious, as I do not know what is going on in her life, but I'm pretty sure I recall something about Congressman John Lewis getting his head caved in on the William Pettis Bridge.

Of course, a friend of mine pointed out that maybe John Lewis got his head caved in so that people could have the same choice to vote or not vote as everyone else has.

I'm beginning to think that Saturday elections and mandatory voting, as in some Scandinavian countries, makes sense.

First Baptist Church precinct was pretty sparse at 10:15AM, I only had to wait behind one other voter. A worker there said they'd been busy earlier.
I'm in favor of declaring a 3-day weekend and opening the polls from 7AM Friday morning until 7PM Sunday night. The more time-the more turnout, I would hope.

People have had a couple of weeks to vote, and a lot did vote early.

Mandatory voting? Only if there's a none-of-the-above option.

Seriously, only if we improve ballot access. What if you're a Libertarian? Your party isn't even allowed on the ballot in North Carolina. Would you be required to vote for a Dem or a Pub?