Jackson Free Press

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I arrived at my polling place around 7:10 a.m. In a precinct where I have never had to wait -- at all, ever -- I stood in line for nearly an hour. That's exciting! And no one complained about the line or left early.

My only complaint is that I couldn't talk about politics, so after commenting on the sunrise, and expressing how glad we were that this day had finally arrived, we all just kind of looked at each other. I mean, what else is there to talk about on this glorious morning? As you can imagine, the office is all abuzz... pre-caffeine, even.

How about you? How long did you wait to vote? Tell us your voting experience. And then come join us at Hal & Mal's tonight to watch the returns. We'll be there as soon as we send this week's issue to press.

— Ronni Mott

Previous Comments

ID

140172

Comment

I have not voted yet. I arrived at my polling station around 7:30 this a.m. hoping to vote, but the line was 20 deep outside. There were only two polls (it's a rural precinct) and one of the machines stopped working. I wouldn't have mind standing line in if both machines were working. I'm gonna go again this afternoon when I leave work. By the way, Obama won Dixville Notch, NH, which is traditionally the first town to vote on Election Day. The harbinger for things to come later today?

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-11-04T10:10:55-06:00

ID

140173

Comment

One more thing: Webmaster, the clock under the comments is set on the wrong time. You might wanna change that.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-11-04T10:13:10-06:00

ID

140176

Comment

After walking this morning in Fondren (I think the count is up to 31 Obama signs to 1 McCain sign in our neighborhood, including the drive in to the office), we stopped off at Woodland Hills Baptist to vote. Not quite as organized as our old precinct at the Belhaven fire station, they had four machines, with one out of service. Not much of a wait, though, and we were able to vote pretty much without incident. My only concern -- I hate these paperless voting machines (especially when they run "WinVote." Yikes). How am I supposed to know that Delbert isn't just flipping a switch to erase my vote? We've got to get on the county and state to provide a paper trail to voters. Every ATM and nearly every gas station in the country can give you a receipt automatically. Electronic voting machines should be no different.

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2008-11-04T10:41:34-06:00

ID

140177

Comment

I've never had to wait at my precinct in Flo-town either, but this morning I got there at 6:40 and waited until almost 7:30 to vote! Voting itself was easy and fast. I just wish they'd had the "I Voted" stickers. :(

Author

andi

Date

2008-11-04T10:42:21-06:00

ID

140180

Comment

Finally decided I needed to go vote otherwise I couldn't complain when whoever gets elected screws up. Poll was just about empty, just me and one other person. Took less than 5 minutes.

Author

BubbaT

Date

2008-11-04T11:28:43-06:00

ID

140181

Comment

Where's your poll, Bubbba?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-11-04T11:36:27-06:00

ID

140182

Comment

Oops that would help wouldn't it?, Clinton Library.. :)

Author

BubbaT

Date

2008-11-04T11:39:41-06:00

ID

140183

Comment

Report from a staffer about the poll at the Mark Apartments in Ridgeland: A poll worker—older, heavyset, black woman—is giving voters a hard time, especially first-time voters, slowing down the line, angry, possible demanding too much information.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-11-04T11:41:37-06:00

ID

140184

Comment

Also, one of the polling machine at the Fondren Baptist church (where we vote) went down before 9 a.m. Adam just came back and said it's still down. At 9:30, one of the women there—who seemed overwhelmed—complained that no one had shown up to help them fix it.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-11-04T11:42:55-06:00

ID

140185

Comment

Bubba, what time were you at the Clinton Library? I was told that there was a line of people there earlier this morning, almost wrapped around the building.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-11-04T11:50:05-06:00

ID

140187

Comment

In Tenn., we have early voting. I voted last Thursday and it took over an hour. The crowds have been very large here. This election will have a record turnout I think.

Author

James Hester

Date

2008-11-04T12:03:22-06:00

ID

140188

Comment

I voted at about 8:30 am at the Belhaven Fire Station. I believe I waited about 15-20 minutes, they had three voting stations, all 3 seemed to be working. A guy ahead of me was not found in the rolls, I believe they gave him an affidavit to fill out. I agree that we ought to get a voter receipt for a paper trail, just for a back up. I felt happy voting today, whatever the outcome, this election has made history.

Author

Izzy

Date

2008-11-04T12:04:38-06:00

ID

140189

Comment

My mom and I got in line at 6:20 and were done by 7:30. Our polling place is at Fire Station #26 on Flag Chapel Rd. A line was already forming when we got there, and the line started to go down the street when we left. Traffic was crazy. One person's name wasn't on their list, so they asked her to step aside so they could have her vote by affidavit. Another person forgot to press VOTE after making their selection, so they had to clear out the machine. Take your time, people!

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-11-04T12:05:30-06:00

ID

140195

Comment

Golden- I was there at 11 am. The parking lot was full cars, but in the polling area there was just 2 of us voting.

Author

BubbaT

Date

2008-11-04T12:27:18-06:00

ID

140196

Comment

Voted in Fondren at 3921 Oakridge,(forget name of church). No line at 7:45 am. We are new registrants and no one asked us for any id. 3 voting machines, about 100 people had voted by the time we were done. Poll worker said she hadn't worked a presidential election in a long time at that location, but that they usually got about 300 voters (total registration per Hinds website is 693). I agree about the touch screen machines. I'm used to the old manual lever machines. There is something mechanical yet uplifting and comforting about the sound they make when you pull the lever back and register your vote.

Author

annyimiss

Date

2008-11-04T12:35:00-06:00

ID

140197

Comment

FYI ... verbatim: UPDATE #1 VOTER DEFENSE PROJECT RELEASES POLL INCIDENTS REPORTED THROUGHOUT STATE JACKSON – Officials with the Democratic Voter Defense Project released an update on voter complications and irregularities reported at polling places throughout Mississippi. Included are reports of faulty election machines switching votes, robust police presence at voting locations, and poll workers who compel voters to use affidavit ballots instead of thoroughly reviewing the voter rolls. Project representatives are in contact with local and state officials to review and resolve these problems at the polls. This is the first of several updates to come today and is not an inclusive list. REPORTS BOLIVAR COUNTY Polling machine broken, several people have to fill out affidavit ballots and a few moved to another polling location. (Resolved) Voter who has voted at the precinct in the past was asked to cast an affidavit ballot. (Resolved) Election officials checking off voters on an unofficial ledge while in line. When voters get to official ledger they are already checked and turned away. (Resolved) FORREST COUNTY Polls did not open on time. (Resolved) HARRISON COUNTY Significant police presence near entrance of polling station. (Unresolved) Excessive number of affidavits being filed. (Resolved) HINDS COUNTY Broken machines reported, still not working. (Resolved) Elderly person requesting curbside assistance, polling officials require woman's daughter to wait in line for her mother, half hour long lines. (Resolved) Republican poll watcher standing behind poll workers. (Resolved) Poll workers giving affidavit ballots to people who have clearly moved and should be voting in another precinct. (Resolved) General confusion among some workers. (Unresolved.) JACKSON COUNTY Republican poll watcher behind sign-in desk. (Unresolved) JONES COUNTY Poll workers have quit trying to fix down polling machine, line is down the block. (Unresolved) LAUDERDALE COUNTY Polling place moved, no sign or note about change of location. (Resolved) Reports of robust police presence, including ticketing of voter cars. (Unresolved) MADISON COUNTY Voter reports that Musgrove and Wicker are not on the ballot. (Resolved) Polling machines list wrong precinct. (Resolved) Voters not on the rolls require provisional ballots, were told provisional ballots were not available at that precinct. (Resolved) Voting Machine only registering McCain votes and not Obama votes. Machine taken out of service. (Resolved) MONTGOMERY COUNTY Front doors are malfunctioning and voters are getting locked out. (Resolved) PERRY COUNTY Three machines down, hour long lines. (Resolved) TUNICA COUNTY All polling machines down, using paper ballots. (Unresolved) WARREN COUNTY Republican poll watcher standing behind desk. (Unresolved) WAYNE COUNTY Wayne County: Several voters turned away that have voted at the precinct in the past, told by poll workers that affidavit wouldn't count. (Resolved) Unresolved reports are currently under review by Voter Defense Project officials. The Voter Defense Project will include the following elements: Attorneys, known as "vote defenders," will be prepositioned throughout Mississippi and prepared to deploy to areas that report polling problems Election Monitors at each polling location will ensure lawful voters are not turned away and will report "aggressive challenge patterns" Legal experts will be on standby to interpret federal, state and local election laws and guidelines Rapid-response communicators will be on-hand to rebut misleading and inconsistent statements from state or regional officials

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-11-04T12:36:35-06:00

ID

140198

Comment

Just got a report about possible voter intimidation in Meridian—with voters pulled out of line and arrested if they have outstanding ticket warrants. Will report back when we know for sure.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-11-04T12:37:37-06:00

ID

140199

Comment

I voted at 10 a.m. in byram at griffith memorial baptist church. There was only a thirty second wait for a machine to open up, but one of the workers told me that they had a line wrapped around the inside of the building an hour earlier! People were constantly streaming in and out so no machine was staying unused for more than a few seconds. I have never seen so many African Americans voting at that precinct --- especially so many younger African American males! I am excited. I have tendencies to anxiety though :-), I am already worrying about whether they will come back and vote again in the future. We'll just have to work on it! I am now off to poll watch in district 4!

Author

FreeClif

Date

2008-11-04T12:38:14-06:00

ID

140201

Comment

Seems to have been an overblown report on Meridian. Adam just got off the phone with the police chief; seems that a police officer saw a bunch of cars parked illegally and started handing out parking tickets to people in line. That itself sounds a bit suspect, but at least it's nipped in the bud. Also, I love that CNN has an 800 number and is investigating voter complaints around the country.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-11-04T12:45:06-06:00

ID

140206

Comment

We just got a call from a woman who voted at Siwell Middle School. She said that they were grouping people and then a man would come out and call for certain groups (like L-M) and they would go vote. Taht meant that people were coming in after others and voting while they were still waiting in line. And the poll workers are rude about it—"we're running things here"—when voters complained. Checking ...

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-11-04T13:04:42-06:00

ID

140207

Comment

My friend in Virginia said she was in line for two and a half hours this morning, and that the line was as long when she left as when she got there. AWESOME turnout! I haven't seen anything like this in my lifetime.

Author

Ronni_Mott

Date

2008-11-04T13:07:36-06:00

ID

140208

Comment

I voted in Ridgeland at First Baptist on Jackson Street at around 7:30 am. I'm also roaming the precincts in Madison, Ridgeland and Canton looking for irregualrites, problems and so on. I may even venture out to stankin Rankins County later today. Lots of voters and a few problems with machines. I can tell most people are voting for Obama because they smile at me upon leaving. Surely they wouldn't smile at me if having done in Obama. LOL. In Ridgeland there is a claim that one machine casted Obama votes for McCain. I picked that machine up and broke it. Actually, the commissioner took it out of operation. The only problem I personally had was having to hit my choices several times before the machine would move.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-11-04T13:11:08-06:00

ID

140210

Comment

I went to McLeod School (off Westbrook) at 7 am and there was a long line. I went home and had breakfast without voting and came back around 8:15. Beautiful morning. Felt like hope was in the air. No line, this time - just a couple of folks ahead of me. I spent maybe 6-7 minutes inside the polling place. No id required. They just checked my name off a list. This is the 3rd time I have voted at this location and I have never been asked for an id. No "I voted" stickers. No paper record of my vote. Three voting machines were in use. One appeared to be set up but was not being used and another had a lift for wheelchairs sitting in a corner unused. A good experience, but I wish I had a record of my vote.

Author

gwilly

Date

2008-11-04T13:16:25-06:00

ID

140211

Comment

I voted at Eudora Welty. It took about 90 minutes even though there were only about 30 people in line before me. We got there at 10:30 and walked out right before noon. Things were going VERY SLOWLY due to their only being one poll book and the poll workers being VERY SLOW. I wasn't asked for ID, but I offered it and my voter ID card because the poor woman was already so slow. Most people had their driver's license out and just handed it to her when they walked up. If they didn't have that, they handed over a bill. No one was challenged the whole time I was there except one girl who was in the wrong voting station and was told to do an affadavit ballot. They finally gave her the right place to go vote and she left. After being in line for an hour they finally separated people into two lines by last names and things picked up. Everything there was pretty quiet with no intimidation or people really hanging around or making you feel strange. They had chairs and seats for the elderly and things were pretty good except for the wait.

Author

Lori G

Date

2008-11-04T13:27:17-06:00

ID

140215

Comment

I voted, but the machines at the polling place weren't printing out verification tickets. I can only hope my vote went through as cast (not that I could be 100% sure even with a ticket printed).

Author

imajeep

Date

2008-11-04T13:50:16-06:00

ID

140217

Comment

I wonder why some polling places didn't have "I voted" stickers. They had them where I went.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-11-04T14:38:08-06:00

ID

140220

Comment

I just voted at Oak Forest Elem and did not have to wait in line long. Only 4 people in front of me. The problem was,this precinct only had two pole workers, who did not appear to be very knowledgable. A few people were told to wait because they could not find their names. They were eventually given a piece of paper to fill out...I am assuming they were given paper ballots. They did not ask for any ID. But the ballot itself I found could be confusing for those that have not heard about the other Presidental party's( green,constitution etc) that were listed under the Obama/Biden ticket. The entire ordeal from looking at the pole workers appeared disorganized. And worst of all THEY RAN OUT OF STICKERS. Just glad to be able to vote so nothing else matters....Go Obama!!!!!!

Author

classy

Date

2008-11-04T14:47:30-06:00

ID

140221

Comment

Voter problems around the nation. No indication of voter stickers at the Woodland Hills Baptist Church this morning; they were really disorganized and frazzled, and they didn't have a ton of people. A line was forming when we left. They'll probably have trouble if they get busier and don't bring in any more help. We don't know yet if anyone ever fixed their extra machine.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-11-04T15:00:07-06:00

ID

140222

Comment

I vote at Collins Abundant Living center on Northside Drive.I arrived at my polling place at 9:15. It took 15-20 minutes. hey usually have a very good turnout and this was the usual wait time. We had five machines. All were working. The staff was efficient and helpful. No bullying. They were checking and double checking for misspelling etc. One guy was forced to and affidavit. T There was, however a line at 7:00 this morning which resulted in an hour wait for one of my relatives. A lot these poll workers do every election so I think it makes a difference.

Author

msgrits

Date

2008-11-04T15:01:07-06:00

ID

140226

Comment

Voted at 10:15 at Belhaven College. No wait, everything ran smoothly. I was like voter #440 though, so obviously a lot of people voted early in the morning.

Author

QB

Date

2008-11-04T15:33:56-06:00

ID

140228

Comment

UPDATE #2 VOTER DEFENSE PROJECT RELEASES POLL INCIDENTS REPORTED THROUGHOUT STATE JACKSON – Officials with the Democratic Voter Defense Project released an update on voter complications and irregularities reported at polling places throughout Mississippi. Included are reports of more faulty election machines switching votes, problems with voter rolls, and excessive affidavit ballots. Project representatives are in contact with local and state officials to confirm, review and resolve these problems at the polls. This is the second of several updates to come today and is not an inclusive list. REPORTS ADAMS COUNTY NEW: Voter purged from roles and not allowed to complete affidavit ballot. (Precinct 4, Resolved) ATTALLA COUNTY NEW: One machine is casting votes for candidate other than the one selected, poll workers still using machine (Sallis Fire Department, Resolved) BOLIVAR COUNTY NEW: Several voters who have always voted at the precinct being forced to vote an affidavit ballot. (Precinct 201, Resolved) NEW: Voter who registered at the DMV when she got her driver's license was told she is not registered. (Precinct 201, Resolved) NEW: Voter who had registered to vote and had their registration card with them was still forced to sign an affidavit ballot. (Emmanuel Baptist Church, Resolved) Polling machine broken, several people have to fill out affidavit ballots and a few moved to another polling location. (Resolved) Voter who has voted at the precinct in the past was asked to cast an affidavit ballot. (Resolved) Election officials checking off voters on an unofficial ledge while in line. When voters get to official ledger they are already checked and turned away. (Resolved) COAHOMA COUNTY NEW: Affidavit ballots were not being written, poll workers were deliberately touching the voting screen for these voters, choosing candidates the voter did not intend. (Precinct 3, Resolved) NEW: Voters who should be casting affidavit ballots were told there would not be able to vote. (Precinct 4, Resolved) NEW: Only allowing six voters in the polling place at a time. (Precinct 5, Resolved) FORREST COUNTY NEW: Voter names that are not on the roll are being written on legal pad but they are not being given affidavit ballots. (Salvation Army, Resolved) Polls did not open on time. (Resolved) HARRISON COUNTY NEW: 135 votes cast but machine only recorded 24. (Gulfport Precinct 15, Resolved) NEW: Some ballots had already been used. (Precinct 3, Resolved) Excessive number of affidavits being filed. (Monitoring) Significant police presence at entrance of polling station. (Resolved)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-11-04T15:38:49-06:00

ID

140229

Comment

HINDS COUNTY NEW: Concerns about who is permitted to vote with affidavit ballot. (Precinct 43, Resolved) NEW: Poll workers don't have county-wide voter list, instead of figuring out where people should vote poll workers are requiring people to vote provisionally. (Precinct 31, Resolved) NEW: Republican poll worker intimidating African American voters and asking for photo IDs. (Precinct 71, Resolved) NEW: Voters were told they could not vote and/or were not helped in finding their correct polling location. (Precinct 80, Resolved) NEW: Voting machine is taken out of polling location, claiming it's going "curbside" but poll watcher does not see where it ends up. (Precinct 81, Resolved) NEW: Only one person checking people in creating an extremely long line. (Precinct 1, Resolved) NEW: Poll manager will only add another poll worker to check in table if Republicans say so. (Precinct 1, Resolved) NEW: Voters told they could not vote affidavit or could not vote at all. (Precinct 3, Resolved) NEW: Voters not allowed to cast affidavit ballots, poll workers touching screens for voters and selected an unintended candidate. (Precinct 4, Resolved) NEW: Only allowing six people into polling place at a time. (Precinct 5, Resolved) Broken machines reported, still not working. (Resolved) Elderly person requesting curbside assistance, polling officials require woman's daughter to wait in line for her mother, half hour long lines. (Resolved) Republican poll watcher standing behind poll workers. (Resolved) Poll workers giving affidavit ballots to people who have clearly moved and should be voting in another precinct. (Resolved) General confusion among some workers. (Unresolved) JACKSON COUNTY NEW: Circuit clerk told voter she was removed for not voting in a federal election. (Moss Point, Resolved) Republican poll watcher behind sign-in desk. (Resolved) JONES COUNTY Poll workers have quit trying to fix down polling machine, line is down the block. (Resolved) LAUDERDALE COUNTY NEW: Voter asked poll watcher to help with machine, poll watcher did not respond. (Mt. Olive Baptist Church and JC Building, Resolved) Polling place moved, no sign or note about change of location. (Resolved) Reports of robust police presence, including ticketing of voter cars. (Resolved) MADISON COUNTY NEW: Ballots taken from voters by Republican monitor. (Pleasant Gift Precinct, Resolved) NEW: Several voters turned away; Justice Department is reportedly reviewing the situation. (Precinct 468, Resolved) NEW: Police officer, not in uniform, has twice parked his police cruiser in front of the polling location and gotten out to talk to people. (Precinct 406, Resolved) Voter reports that Musgrove and Wicker are not on the ballot. (Resolved) Polling machines list wrong precinct. (Resolved) Voters not on the rolls require provisional ballots, were told provisional ballots were not available at that precinct. (Resolved) Voting Machine only registering McCain votes and not Obama votes. Machine taken out of service. (Resolved) MONTGOMERY COUNTY Front doors are malfunctioning and voters are getting locked out. (Resolved) PERRY COUNTY Three machines down, hour long lines. (Resolved) QUITMAN COUNTY NEW: Voter who has routinely voted at the precinct was told she was not on the roll. (Precinct 9, Resolved) RANKIN COUNTY NEW: Police officers within 150 feet of polling location, walking around, not voting. (Resolved) TUNICA COUNTY All polling machines down, using paper ballots. (Resolved) WARREN COUNTY NEW: Republican poll watcher standing behind desk. (Auditorium, Resolved) WAYNE COUNTY Several voters turned away that have voted at the precinct in the past, told by poll workers that affidavit wouldn't count. (Resolved) Unresolved reports are currently under review by Voter Defense Project officials.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-11-04T15:39:02-06:00

ID

140231

Comment

I voted at the Mark Apartments in Ridgeland this morning at about 8:10 after waiting in line for about an hour. The only older heavyset black woman who was working when I was there checked me in and was nice. She just asked for my name and address. They did call out certain groups (like A-E) though, allowing others who were further back in line to vote before those who had been waiting longer. Overall it was a pleasant experience, and I was also pleased to see the number of young African-American voters.

Author

ellen

Date

2008-11-04T15:44:36-06:00

ID

140232

Comment

Clinton library here, too. Pulled up at 7am, and the line was 60+ deep: all the way out the front door, down the sidewalk, and into the back parking area. I have to go try again this evening, since I had to get to work by 8am. Hubby took his mom in to vote around lunchtime, same voting place: and was in and out in 5 minutes.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2008-11-04T15:56:11-06:00

ID

140235

Comment

I voted just before 11:30am at Precinct 96 in South Jackson. I cant remember the name of the church on Lakeshore Blvd. But it went very smooth, I was in and out in less than 15 minutes.

Author

WMartin

Date

2008-11-04T16:21:29-06:00

ID

140237

Comment

More about exit polls: At 5 p.m. others at the networks and subscribers, including The Washington Post, get access to certain exit poll data. We have subscribed to the national exit poll and state polls essential to our election coverage. Some will post numbers shortly after 5 p.m.; we will wait a bit to assess the validity of the data. No matter what you see, please remember that these early numbers are very preliminary - only interviews conducted through early afternoon will be included in the first release; in the case of west coast data, it'll be only morning interviews. Moreover, the first round of data has been adjusted to expectations gleaned from pre-election polling and historical vote patterns. These may be off the mark in this epic election, or not. Whatever the case, these data should be treated with great caution. As the night goes on, we will get more and more complete information from the exit poll and from actual vote returns. It is a process. Even as the data improve throughout the night, however, one should never forget that the exit polls do not indicate who is going to win. They are simply not designed to provide predictions.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-11-04T16:44:29-06:00

ID

140243

Comment

UPDATE #3 OFFICIALS EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT JACKSON STATE BALLOTS Voter Defense Project releases latest update on incidents reported throughout Mississippi JACKSON – Officials with the Democratic Voter Defense Project released an update on voter complications and irregularities reported at polling places throughout Mississippi. Project representatives are in contact with local and state officials to confirm, review and resolve these problems at the polls. Officials expressed particular concern about an unusually high number of affidavit ballots reported at Jackson State University precinct — and have dispatched representatives to better understand why so many voters, potentially as many as several hundred, were not afforded standard ballots. This is the third of several updates to come today and is not an inclusive list. REPORTS ADAMS COUNTY Voter purged from roles and not allowed to complete affidavit ballot. (Precinct 4, Resolved) ATTALLA COUNTY NEW: Half of machines broken, one that still works logs votes for McCain when Obama is selected. (Precinct 4, Resolved) One machine is casting votes for candidate other than the one selected, poll workers still using machine (Sallis Fire Department, Resolved) BOLIVAR COUNTY Several voters who have always voted at the precinct being forced to vote an affidavit ballot. (Precinct 201, Resolved) Voter who registered at the DMV when she got her driver’s license was told she is not registered. (Precinct 201, Resolved) Voter who had registered to vote and had their registration card with them was still forced to sign an affidavit ballot. (Emmanuel Baptist Church, Resolved) Polling machine broken, several people have to fill out affidavit ballots and a few moved to another polling location. (Resolved) Voter who has voted at the precinct in the past was asked to cast an affidavit ballot. (Resolved) Election officials checking off voters on an unofficial ledge while in line. When voters get to official ledger they are already checked and turned away. (Resolved) COAHOMA COUNTY Affidavit ballots were not being written, poll workers were deliberately touching the voting screen for these voters, choosing candidates the voter did not intend. (Precinct 3, Resolved) Voters who should be casting affidavit ballots were told there would not be able to vote. (Precinct 4, Resolved) Only allowing six voters in the polling place at a time. (Precinct 5, Resolved) DESOTO COUNTY NEW: Large number of provisional ballots. Husband on roll and wife not. (Precinct 509, Resolved) FORREST COUNTY NEW: No more provisional ballots available at polling location. (Precinct 26, Unresolved) Voter names that are not on the roll are being written on legal pad but they are not being given affidavit ballots. (Salvation Army, Resolved) Polls did not open on time. (Resolved) HARRISON COUNTY NEW: Polling site is being blocked by Republican yard signs. (Civic Center, Resolved) 135 votes cast but machine only recorded 24. (Gulfport Precinct 15, Resolved) Some ballots had already been used. (Precinct 3, Resolved) Excessive number of affidavits being filed. (Monitoring) Significant police presence at entrance of polling station. (Resolved)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-11-04T17:59:35-06:00

ID

140244

Comment

HINDS COUNTY NEW: Several polling machines down. (Precinct 80, Resolved) Concerns about who is permitted to vote with affidavit ballot. (Precinct 43, Resolved) Poll workers don’t have county-wide voter list, instead of figuring out where people should vote poll workers are requiring people to vote provisionally. (Precinct 31, Resolved) Republican poll worker intimidating African American voters and asking for photo IDs. (Precinct 71, Resolved) Voters were told they could not vote and/or were not helped in finding their correct polling location. (Precinct 80, Resolved) Voting machine is taken out of polling location, claiming it’s going “curbside” but poll watcher does not see where it ends up. (Precinct 81, Resolved) Only one person checking people in creating an extremely long line. (Precinct 1, Resolved) Poll manager will only add another poll worker to check in table if Republicans say so. (Precinct 1, Resolved) Voters told they could not vote affidavit or could not vote at all. (Precinct 3, Resolved) Voters not allowed to cast affidavit ballots, poll workers touching screens for voters and selected an unintended candidate. (Precinct 4, Resolved) Only allowing six people into polling place at a time. (Precinct 5, Resolved) Broken machines reported, still not working. (Resolved) Elderly person requesting curbside assistance, polling officials require woman’s daughter to wait in line for her mother, half hour long lines. (Resolved) Republican poll watcher standing behind poll workers. (Resolved) Poll workers giving affidavit ballots to people who have clearly moved and should be voting in another precinct. (Resolved) General confusion among some workers. (Unresolved) JACKSON COUNTY Circuit clerk told voter she was removed for not voting in a federal election. (Moss Point, Resolved) Republican poll watcher behind sign-in desk. (Resolved) JONES COUNTY Poll workers have quit trying to fix down polling machine, line is down the block. (Resolved) LAUDERDALE COUNTY Voter asked poll watcher to help with machine, poll watcher did not respond. (Mt. Olive Baptist Church and JC Building, Resolved) Polling place moved, no sign or note about change of location. (Resolved) Reports of robust police presence, including ticketing of voter cars. (Resolved) LEE COUNTY NEW: Voting machines did not count first voters, poll worker said votes would be counted later. (Morning Star Church, Unresolved) MADISON COUNTY Ballots taken from voters by Republican monitor. (Pleasant Gift Precinct, Resolved) Several voters turned away; Justice Department is reportedly reviewing the situation. (Precinct 468, Resolved) Police officer, not in uniform, has twice parked his police cruiser in front of the polling location and gotten out to talk to people. (Precinct 406, Resolved) Voter reports that Musgrove and Wicker are not on the ballot. (Resolved) Polling machines list wrong precinct. (Resolved) Voters not on the rolls require provisional ballots, were told provisional ballots were not available at that precinct. (Resolved) Voting Machine only registering McCain votes and not Obama votes. Machine taken out of service. (Resolved) MONTGOMERY COUNTY Front doors are malfunctioning and voters are getting locked out. (Resolved) OKTIBEHHA COUNTY NEW: Third party group is handing out sample ballots outside polling location. (University Drive, Starkville, Resolved) PERRY COUNTY Three machines down, hour long lines. (Resolved) QUITMAN COUNTY NEW: Voter who has routinely voted at the precinct was told she was not on the roll. (Precinct 9, Resolved)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-11-04T18:00:12-06:00

ID

140262

Comment

Flowood Library at about 4:45. No line at all. I was in and out in about ten minutes. I was prepared to be asked to show ID because I had moved since last election and just sent updated address a few weeks ago to the secretary of state's office. I did get a chuckle from the poll worker who joked (?), "Are you who you say you are?" But all I gave them was my registration card. Traffic on way out was heavy with "rush hour," and there were flashing police lights with policemen directing traffic at both entrances/exits. That intersection is problematic on a non-election day during five o'clock drive time. I'm very glad I did not go on my way into work because lines were longer then, and people were parking in the neighborhood across the street. I did notice the 601vote materials, and I was very thankful to have a painless experience :)

Author

emilyb

Date

2008-11-04T20:01:57-06:00

ID

140266

Comment

I voted this afternoon. Absolutely no waiting. But remember, I live in a rural area and so my precinct doesn't have as many people as other areas in the metro.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-11-04T20:55:19-06:00

ID

140277

Comment

I arrived at my site on Old Canton road at 5:15 this morning. Thirteen people had already taken a place in line, waiting to cast their votes. The darkness brought a chill to the air. When dawn broke someone said, "This is an historic event. We need to take pictures." By then the line had begun to snake around the building. People whipped out their cell phones and began taking pictures. I registered in that moment that forty years had passed since that day in August during the 1968 Democratic Convention when I stood in Chicago's Grant Park, trying to fend off blows from police who used their billy clubs to strike the student protesters. These two images, of hope and of defiance, hang in my heart as "dangerous memories", leaving me restless and giving me life for the journey that lies ahead.

Author

anne mayeaux

Date

2008-11-04T22:50:51-06:00

ID

140286

Comment

Ok, seeing these accounts has made me wonder- who decides how many voting machines? I want to say that our precinct had maybe 10 or 12 machines- we are kind of in the country- why did we have three times as many machines as Woodland Hills or Belhaven? Something smells here...

Author

Rico

Date

2008-11-05T00:14:55-06:00