Vote Cast - Power Out

I had no problems casting my vote and as expected there were no challengers at my precinct. I ran into problems at home when my power was out. It hit a large portion of Mt. Washington. I am therefore back enjoying a Mocha at Panera.

The oddest thing at the polls, and this may just be normal practice because it happened for someone else at another poll, is that they have a second checklist they workers where checking off. When I asked what that was for, one of the ladies said they have to post it at 11:00 AM. I have no idea why and it seems like a secondary log of the polls which seems good, but it just struck me as odd. Also, the registers are printed in a new format, easier to use.

I'm Off to Vote

I have my camera in hand.

If you have own voting stories or reports, please share them here.

Targeted Challenges

According the article on the appeals court ruling: the GOP states they will have "3,500 challengers" in Ohio. Well, that says at least that every precinct will not be gummed up. What it also says that the GOP is only sending challengers to certain polling locations. Hamilton County alone has 1,025 precincts. The GOP is going after the Democratic vote, and will ignore anything at precincts where they dominate. Prior reports indicate they will be targeting minority polling locations. We are going to have problems and this may get out of hand.

I hope the media keeps a tally of how many voters they challenge and how many are successful. Oh, wait, they will not be allowed in the polls to watch the GOP. The Dems will have to do it. Damn it, I am getting a bit pissed about this. Up until now I still held out hope that the GOP was just flexing its muscle, trying to act tough in light of a bad situation. I know think they are truly out to keep people from voting at the polls. We are headed for something bad.

More from Kos and Make Ohio Blue, including the first report of challengers.

Please are going to be confused when reading their Newspapers like this.

It is going to be a long day.

Back to a Mess

Well the 6th Circuit lived up to its reputation and has reversed both the Dlott and Adams decisions and will allow challengers into the polls. We now will have a mess at the polls. It might have been nice of the judges to ah, do this yesterday maybe? I mean now will have poll workers who at this point don't even know that the challengers are allowed in, and the polls are now open.

It is now going to be nasty at the polls. Tension has mounted and people will not have heard about this ruling before some idiot tries to challenge someone.

Please remember that when you go vote you do not have to talk to anyone but the poll worker. Bring some ID and check out these two sets of questions you might be asked: DDN and Enquirer.

I wonder what Blackwell is saying about this.

I wonder if exit poll workers will get in too.

Ohio Voter Suppression has more.

Go Vote!

If you are reading this and you have not yet voted, then what are you waiting for?

Happy Election Day!

Polls Open at 6:30 AM in Ohio and Close as 7:30 PM.

Vote early and often.

Happy Ken Blackwell

After the rulings today from two Federal Judges (Dlott and Adams), Ken Blackwell must be pleased. I even think Jim Petro, Ohio AG, is pleased. He is so pleased that he is putting off appealing the state law allowing poll challengers until after the election.

I think this issue will not be much of a post election talking point for the GOP, at least not if Tacitus is right when "Von" reported that Judge Adams was appointed by Bush. Dlott is the much reviled Democrat appointee that every local Republican seems to hate.

I think Blackwell saw the challengers as losing issue, but the Bush campaign and the state wide GOP wants to claw at any issue they can. Blackwell wants to be governor and he can't have presided over the messiest Ohio election in history and win in a harsh GOP primary.

I think the County BOEs are going to be the real mess now.

The issue that is going to be at issue in Ohio is the exit polling. Will it be worth anything? I mean I know it never is and this year all polling is whacked, but with Blackwell's order to keep the media out of the precincts, will they be able to get as accurate results?

Voter Information

In case anyone is search for last minute information on the election for Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH: Smart Voter is the place to go for all needed info.

In case you wonder how I am voting, well here are the highlights:

President/Vice President of the United States
John F. Kerry/John Edwards, Democratic

US House; District 2: Charles W. Sanders, Democratic

US Senate: Eric D. Fingerhut, Democratic

State Representative; District 34: Glen Miller, Democratic

Judge; Supreme Court; starting 1/1/05: Nancy A. Fuerst

Judge; Supreme Court; Unexpired Term: William O'Neill

Commissioner; starting 1/2/05: Todd Portune, Democratic

Commissioner; starting 1/3/05: Eve Bolton, Democratic

Clerk of Courts; County of Hamilton: Martha Good, Democratic

Prosecuting Attorney; County of Hamilton: Fanon Rucker (write-in)

Sheriff; County of Hamilton: None of the Above or Mickey Mouse as a write in

Recorder; County of Hamilton: Steve Brinker, Democratic

Treasurer; County of Hamilton: Bob M. Drake, Democratic

Coroner; County of Hamilton: O'dell M. Owens, Democratic

Issue 1 Proposed Constitutional Amendment Banning Gay Marriage: Fuck No!

Issue 3 Proposed Charter Amendment Repeal of Article XII: Hell YES!

Issue 4 Proposed Charter Amendment Property Tax Repeal: No!!!

Issue 32 Tax Levy-- Cincinnati City School District: Yes

Issue 43 Tax Levy --Drake: Yes

Issue 44 Proposed Tax Levy Hamilton County: Yes

Others I am rooting for:
US House; District 1: Greg Harris, Democratic
State Representative; District 33: Tyrone K. Yates, Democratic
State Senate; District 8: Jeannette Harrison, Democratic
US House; District 4 KY: Nick Clooney Democratic
US Senate - KY: Daniel Mongiardo