Rocking The Vote!

I interviewed a woman named Carol outside the polling place near my home:

Carol: White, Female, Decline to State

Voting for Obama

Investigated Hillary, did not like her shifting positions on some issues.  Felt other candidates (Democrat & Republican - Romney, McCain) were more "known."  Investigated Obama because she was not familiar with him.  Decided she wants someone fresh, new and who offers to bring "big change." 

Definitely a "change" voter.  Said this is the most excited she has been to vote in many years.

The shoes for Obama belonged to a young woman of color named Eurydice (which I hope I spelled correctly) who was voting next to me at my polling place a little further away from home.

Also, a neighbor was in line next to me (white, female) and she was requesting a Democratic ballot.  I did not ask her who she was voting for.

I was also thrilled to see the incredible diversity in every way of the people in my precinct.  Punk rockers next to hip-hoppers, parents and children next to college-age kids, black, white, Asian, Latino, Native American and everything else in the wonderful melting pot that makes up the United States.  Truly heartwarming.

I had received two absentee ballots.  One was decline to state or independent.  I wasn't aware that I was not registered as a Democrat but I got a notice in the mail saying I could request a Democratic ballot since unlike the Republicans, the Democrats have an open primary.  I requested the Democrat primary ballot and received both.  So I figured I should take them to my polling place and make sure that I was doing things correctly.  However I know that funky ballot situations (I keep seeming to have them) tend to throw the poor workers for a loop.  The kind folks helped me out even though I made the situation more difficult by filling out the Democratic ballot and then changing my mind on some of the propositions. 

First they checked me off on the voter rolls.  Then my independent absentee ballot was marked "spoiled."  Then they placed it in a provisional ballot envelope with an explanation that it was a discarded second ballot.  Then my completed Democrat absentee ballot was taken and I was given a fresh one.  Then I filled out the new ballot, placed it in the absentee envelope, signed and dated it and placed it in the absentee/provisional ballot box.

I had heard that turnout for my county was projected at 70% and that some precincts were running out of ballots.  I had no problem at my polling place.  After voting I heard an update that the ballot shortages are near the Cal campus.  Also, the registrar thinks that some people who previously submitted an absentee ballot and are attempting to re-vote because their candidate was no longer in the race.

I wonder if validating a large number of provisional ballots will not only delay but substantively change the voting outcome.  It could be several days before we know the actual outcome in California.