Voted!

I got to my polling place a bit after 8 this morning, and there was a line. Not just a couple of people, but a line. Across the lobby, through the doors, down the corridor. I walked to the end, seeing parts of the hospitall I'd never seen before, marveling. Eventually a poll worker sorted us by address, and I was moved to a much shorter line, quickly checking in and getting a ballot. I voted, put the ballot in a cardboard privacy sleeve, checked out, then put the ballot in the box*. At 8:20, I was number 286, which is totally amazing. I've not seen this kind of turnout ever. Other than the presidential race, there was only one contested race and two non-binding referendums (referenda?). And really, MA is not in contention. And yet, hundreds have bothered to show up, and show up early. Wow.

Someone chalked Vote! in multi-colored chalk on a sidewalk in the Yard. And the musician in the T was playing "America the Beautiful."
It's going to be an interesting day.


* It's one that sucks the ballot in electronically, displaying the number on a screen. I'm still nostalgic for the ballot box I first voted with, out in Paxton, where I got to turn a hand crank and see the numbers change on a dial. I wonder if they still use that...

Taboo

I started thinking about a metro-Boston version of Taboo, and what cards there would be.

( first attempts )

Data point

I stopped in at my polling place on my way home from work, and there aren't lines! Well, ok, five or six people, but not lines like this morning. Though perhaps a few minutes past five is too early for the evening rush. I checked the ballot box, and 1382 people had voted, out of about 2400, with just under three hours to go.

It's been exhilarating, seeing everyone post about voting. And it gives me hope.

(Though I wonder about the people predicting about 35,000 people in Copley tonight for Kerry's rally. 1% of the people who showed up for the Sox? I mean, it's a weeknight, and late, and dark, but still. I have a sneaking suspicion someone's going to be surprised...)