measi: made by me (vote)
measi ([personal profile] measi) wrote2008-11-04 09:30 am
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Rhode Island Voting Report

I came, I saw, I voted. And if you're a U.S. citizen, you should today as well.

Rhode Island polls are open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. With our work/commute schedules, we always go first thing, as the polling place is right around the corner from our house.

We arrived at 7:10. Short wait - people had definitely been there for the door opening, as there were a stack of the ballot privacy folders on top of the optical reader already (signifying that people had already cast ballots, for those of you not familiar with them). Rhode Island votes the basic way - pen and paper, draw a line to connect the head and tail of an arrow toward the person you're voting for.

There were six different candidates, plus a write-in line, on our ballot for President. I voted straight Democratic Party ticket, plus yes on both of our budget concerns - we have bridges crumbling (notably... I-95, which now has a severe weight limit on it) that need to be fixed. I pay taxes for civilization - and fixing crumbling infrastructure is a big part of that.

I'm glad I'm done, I did my part. Now I just have to sit back and watch the results. While yes, it looks good for Obama, I've learned never to take anything for granted with some portions of American society.

And I'm damn proud to 1) have survived the nightmare of George W. Bush, and 2) voted for Obama. The last dark eight years are almost over.

Thank Gods.

[identity profile] jesidres.livejournal.com 2008-11-04 02:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, for the love of Gods, please fix I-95. (and open the new bit of 195, too....) High five, darling!

(Anonymous) 2008-11-04 03:06 pm (UTC)(link)
195's new overpasses & bridge are open westbound (have driven on it) :) They're just finishing the overpasses going east. Soon - my guess is next spring, given that winter will probably delay some of the work up there.

We drive under it every morning on the way to the train station. It's been amazing watching it get built.

But yeah.. that whole tonnage restriction on the bridge in Pawtucket's a bit scary. First it's 26 tons, then it's 18 tons... and now there's a VERY BIG RED SIGN warning trucks about said tonnage weight - all the way down in Warwick.

eesh.

[identity profile] measi.livejournal.com 2008-11-04 03:06 pm (UTC)(link)
effing cookies keep me logged out. grrr...

[identity profile] jesidres.livejournal.com 2008-11-04 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I meant eastbound- Westbound's been enormously helpful (The bulk of my family lives in New Bedford and East Providence, and to not go through downtown to the airport? such a blessing).

[identity profile] measi.livejournal.com 2008-11-04 04:16 pm (UTC)(link)
You go right by my house. :)

I cannot WAIT for the MBTA station to be built at TF Green, by the way. I know they've broken ground on it, but the reverse commute from our house to Warwick to catch the train will be much easier than meandering through downtown Providence, especially since there is so much construction down there right now.

[identity profile] jvgymnast.livejournal.com 2008-11-04 05:04 pm (UTC)(link)
So far, I've heard people in my office saying they waited an hour and a half to vote. I did a mail-in myself. (Hope I can get election day goodies, since they didn't give me a sticker in the envelope!)

[identity profile] jadore-histoire.livejournal.com 2008-11-04 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
I went at 8:30 and it was fairly empty too. I voted all Democrat except for the state assemblyman and my House rep...he voted for the Armenian Genocide Resolution, so he's good in my book. And the Democrat running against him is like a couple of years older than me.

[identity profile] misplaced-ice.livejournal.com 2008-11-04 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
When do you get to find out the results?
The rest of the world is holding it's breath. This has got to be one of the most tense US elections for quite some time.

[identity profile] measi.livejournal.com 2008-11-04 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Unless there are issues as in 2000, we'll know by about 10 p.m. U.S. eastern tonight. It really all depends on what happens in Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Indiana - and those are all in the eastern half. If those all go to Obama, it's over.

Honestly, I'm almost certain it's a year that the U.S. has finally gotten a clue. The question is how much Obama will win *by*.

[identity profile] whishastar.livejournal.com 2008-11-04 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Honestly, I'm almost certain it's a year that the U.S. has finally gotten a clue. The question is how much Obama will win *by*.

*knocks on wood* Oh gods I hope so!!

[identity profile] misplaced-ice.livejournal.com 2008-11-04 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)
So, it's about 5.30pm there now? (I get confused with US time zones).
Cool. That will mean we *should* know by 4pm-ish. Damn. That means I'll have to wait until I get home from work ...(hmmm ... or duck off and watch the news ... I am in charge...)

And I really really really hope you're right about Obama.
This is truly an historical election.

[identity profile] measi.livejournal.com 2008-11-04 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes - it's about 5:45 now. We're five hours behind GMT here on the east coast. California is three hours behind us (i.e. 2:45).