10/20/04: This is what democracy looks like

[davidlevine]

Word count: 107581 | Since last entry: 305 | This month: 5120

Went to a voting party tonight. Here in Oregon we vote by mail (everyone, every election) -- ballots went out last week and are due by November 2. So some friends convened a potluck to get together, talk about some of the more confusing ballot measures, and fill out our ballots. It was way keen -- Kate pointed out that now she's certain she hasn't voted for any person or measure who looks good on the surface but has a nasty surprise buried inside. On the way back from the party we dropped off our ballots at the county elections office.

Wrote a little bit after coming home from the party -- I'm tired, tired, tired, after several very busy days at work (with no end in sight this week) but I need to keep plugging away if I'm going to make my next deadline (this Saturday). I wrote the beginning of the last scene in the chapter, in which protestors begin to gather around the Platforms. Lots of tell here, rather than show, but it would be insane for Clarity to be in the middle of this situation. I'll strive for it to be as visceral as possible as things wind up to a fever pitch, though.

Comments

[douglain.livejournal.com]

I voted today as well.

[douglain.livejournal.com]

I know I voted for somebody who has a nasty surprise under the surface, but since he doesn't even look good on the surface I suppose I'm more like your friend than not. Of course I'm talking about John Kerry.

[fuzzygruf.livejournal.com]

Convening at a potluck to discuss the ballot sounds like a great idea.

My ballot in SF has over 40 items on which to vote. It's pretty daunting.

Voting

[nwl.livejournal.com]

Hi David!

If all voting is done by mail, this means there are no polling places in Oregon for an election. It does save money. I have to wonder how voter fraud is prevented. How does the board of elections know a person is a person or someone doesn't vote twice? There must be some sort of vetting.

Re: Voting

[davidlevine]

As it happens, there was an article about this in today's paper. You put your marked ballot in an envelope and seal it. Then you put the envelope in another envelope (preprinted with your name and address), seal that, and sign it. The election officials compare the signature on the outer envelope with the signature on file for the voter with that name and address, and verify that that voter hasn't yet voted. If the signatures are the same and the voter hasn't yet voted, the vote is accepted -- the voter is marked on the rolls as having voted, the outer envelope is torn open, and the inner envelope (now anonymous) is placed in the pile to be counted on November 2.

Re: Voting

[nwl.livejournal.com]

Interesting.