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How did you entertain yourself in line at the polls?

Nov 4, 2008, 03:11 PM | by Mandi Bierly

Categories: Politics as Entertainment, Waiting

Voters_l I was prepared for an hour (or more) wait this morning, but I didn't even have time to take the book I brought out of my bag. In fact, I spent more time walking around the school gymnasium trying to find the "I Voted" stickers than I did in line (or behind the curtain).

How long did you wait to vote? How did you pass the time? And am I the only one who didn't get a sticker?*

* Apparently not. My friend Sheila reports that after 3.5 hours in line in Brooklyn, she also got sticker-screwed.

More on the 2008 election:
EW's Great Presidential Pop-Culture Debate with the candidates
Election Night: Any excuse to party?
PopWatch's complete coverage, including celebrity PSAs and SNL


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monica Fri, Nov 7, 2008 at 04:38 PM EST

there was no line when i got there at like 5pm (in the north bronx). But had there been, i probably would've read my EW. i'm not kissing butt here, i just happened to have it on me at the time.

Fri, Nov 7, 2008 at 12:53 PM EST

i wanted a free donut.

Fri, Nov 7, 2008 at 12:51 PM EST

i voted absentee.

Mojo Michael Thu, Nov 6, 2008 at 05:06 PM EST

I waited about one minute in line here in Decatur. I flirted a little with the girl behind me. :)

Carrie Thu, Nov 6, 2008 at 10:24 AM EST

I talked with my roommate and played solitaire on my ipod. I also ate up some time by doing a Super America run to get us some drinks.

Sonny D Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 08:17 PM EST

I've already screwed your sister (and who hasn't--Cory?) but I like to take a shot at your mama. I watched my mama service entire blocks for a little blow.

Just Cory Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 08:15 PM EST

I'm a racist and I came here to talk about spreading things. Like my sister's legs. Anyone want some besides Sonny D?

Sonny D Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 08:13 PM EST

I'm a pathetic loser and my mama was a crack h0 with two raging STDs. I axed her who my pappy was and she said she don't know or he gave her blow or sumpin' like at.

Just Cory Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 06:01 PM EST

I thought the question was "How did you entertain yourself in line at the polls?" not "Are you a racist?". There are other websites where you can spread your useless propoganda.

Sonny D Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 04:47 PM EST

"More Of The Same" and "1460"...I can picture you both right now. You are probably two uneducated, racist, homophobic and very angry men. I understand that you are upset that the hate-mongering leader you have come to love will no longer occupy the White House come January, but harnness your hatred guys.
Accept the fact that the country will no longer be under the leadership of a moronic, insipid man who hides behind the Bible as he destroys the country he is trying to govern. It's ok boys. You can still decide to hold onto the unexplainable hatred that lives within your hearts. Obama won't take that away from you. He is more concerned with cleaning up the mistakes left by Bush.
I am a white man who grew up in a white neighborhood, probably like you both did. But, it baffles me to see two grown men acting like such angry children. The color of ones skin does not matter. What's in their heart is what's important. And in that area, we differ greatly.

Sonny D Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 04:29 PM EST

Again, demonstrate just how uneducated you really are 1460.....
For your information, I am a white man who is educated enough to know that there is absolutely no difference between me and a black man.
It is truly sad to know that people that think the way you do still exist.

Sonny D Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 03:58 PM EST

It's sad to read all the comments from the racially uneducated people who decide they want to sound intelligent for a change. Really? Y'all need to go to college and educate yourself some more. College? Never heard of it? We have them in the big cities. You should really find one and quick!
And don't stop there people, please continue your education. How about you spend a day with a black person, hispanic, asian, gay person or anyone else that is different than you. I promise you will learn a lot from them.
Come on! It is time that the education starts, so the hatred can stop!!!

Sonny D Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 03:50 PM EST

1460 Days....You are truly horrible. To think that in this day and age a person could hold onto such hatred for someone they have never met, is well, ridiculous! I am so very happy that you are a dying breed.

Susan Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 03:47 PM EST

I'm very concerned that our nation's leader was chosen by people who can't write two consecutive sentences that are gramatically correct. I hope Obama places education high on his priority list.

Brandie Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 10:46 AM EST

I waited in line for 45 minutes and kept myself busy by reading "New Moon." Here I am reading a book intended for 14 year olds while waiting to vote for president!

Abby Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 10:30 AM EST

It took me an hour and a half in Duluth, GA (metro Atlanta suburb). I read the new Gossip Girl book. Got a sticker and free Starbucks and Krispy Kreame!

Lorrie Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 09:56 AM EST

No sticker here, and no wait cause I voted absentee last month. According to CNN, it is against the law to give "presents" for voting so wording was changed to election day specials. Eli's cheesecake in Chicago was giving a slice at their main location. I read that an "adult" store in New York was giving out "specials". What I'm thinking of a comment would probably get my post deleted.

Chris G Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 09:31 AM EST

I actually went prepared with my ipod and i put the movie Election on there in case i had to wait a long time. Fortunately, the line was short so i never even got past the opening credits.

GoddessLu Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 09:30 AM EST

Congrats President Obama! I am so confident that the economy will rebound under your administration that I went on a celebraty shopping spree. Whee!

GoddessLu Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 09:29 AM EST

Big Fat Bummer! I voted in NH starting at 8:15 a.m. It took 1/2 hour & I basically people watched and chit chatted a tad. I got no sticker & had no clue about Starbucks. In fact, I went on a road trip to cow country up north & on the way back, hit a Starbucks once I got closer to civilization & didn't even know they were giving them away. Rotten barista.

Claire Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 09:18 AM EST

It helps when you live in a town with 2000 total population, cause I've never heard of such a thing as a line for voting. I was in, out, and very pleased with myself when I left :)

Pam Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 09:01 AM EST

I didn't get a sticker either. I was greatly upset by this. :-(

Michie Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 08:38 AM EST

I spent the hour wait on line cursing every bus that I should have been on to get to work & listening to my IPod. But so worth it!!!!
Congrats President Obama!!!!

duranmom Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 08:08 AM EST

I had a book, my iPod and a snack but none were needed b/c there was no wait at my polling place. It took me longer to sign the register than to cast my vote! No sticker though. Damn.

Anne Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 08:08 AM EST

I voted in Michigan. Took about 40 minutes altogether. I read and chatted with other people in line. I got a sticker and free coffee from Starbucks. Maybe I just live in the right place, but I've always gotten a sticker after I vote, every time, even for relatively minor elections.

Tree Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 07:21 AM EST

I waited about 10 minutes. No need to bring anything to amuse myself. I went with my 5 year old and he had his school pictures with him. The grandparents all around me loved the pictures so my ten minute wait was filled with "I know, he is adorable" and "They just grow up so fast". I did get a sticker, actually two of them plus my son got one. I gave the extra to a friend who never gets a sticker at his polling place.

kritzia Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 02:34 AM EST

oh and I listened to my iPod and talked to the lady behind me.

Kritzia Padilla Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 02:29 AM EST

In total I was there for about 45 minutes. When i finished I looked around for the stickers, but the woman I asked said that they didn't receive any stickers to give out. I was disappointed. But then I walked across the street and got my free coffee.

Crystal Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 02:00 AM EST

And Mandi and all, I would be remiss if I did not point you to this terrific op/ed about The Sticker in the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/03/AR2008110303298.html

Crystal Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 01:56 AM EST

Mine only took about 10 minutes including sticker application, but I was ready with ipod and EW Holiday Movie Preview issue in hand. I must also admit that even though I live in L.A. I walk to work and my polling place is across the street so I'm very spoiled. :)

Sarah Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 01:44 AM EST

I went with my mom to vote and drop off my ballot. We walked to the polls and she had no wait. I waited longer for her to vote than anything. My brother had a totally different experience. He just moved so he was still registered at his old address and had to vote via provisional ballot, but the lady at his polling place wouldn't let hime vote! He wouldn't stand for that and went back 2 more times before someone else helped him and he got his sticker! I am so proud of him defending his right to vote!

Sarah Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 01:15 AM EST

For any foreign readers the sticker is a little treat you get after you vote that says I VOTED. Its something people proudly wear all day long to show that they did their civic duty. Some places offer discounts to those that have their sticker-proof they voted.It sounds silly but walking around today at Arizona State University (Go Sun Devils) I felt a jolt of pride at seeing how many people voted. I only saw a few people who werent wearing a sticker today.

In Phoenix, AZ my polling place was right outside my door. Woke up at 5:50 to vote in my pjs and saw the line wrapped around the block and went back to bed. I woke up at 10AM and waited 20 minutes in line. Talked to my neighbors in my community about Obama's chances to take Arizona. It was exciting for some of us to see. I also listened to my ipod-while voting I listened to Molotov's Gimme tha Power. Felt fitting.

Tracy in L.A. Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 12:37 AM EST

Went to my polling place around 6pm. I considered running home for my ipod or a book to wait out the after-work lines, but it took me about 10 mins, waiting & actual voting time included. Haha! And I got my sticker! Oh yeah & I got the only parking spot - right in front of the door. Yahoooo!

aa Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 12:16 AM EST

got there at 6:15a and walked right past my mother without realizing. caught up with her some and then joined the line where i chatted with the people around me. on line in and out in about 45 minutes. did not get any stickers. from my front porch i can see the school i voted at and when i took my son to school at 7:35a there was NO ONE on line.

Melinda65 Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 12:10 AM EST

Here in small-town Iowa, I had less than 5 minutes' wait. No stickers, although I have a mild distaste for wearing stickers, so I was okay with it. Besides, the closest Starbucks is 50 minutes away. I went home and made my own coffee. :-)

LeapDayBaby Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 11:49 PM EST

The most entertaining thing about my less-than-5-minute stay at my polling place was my mad dash to avoid the guys handing out pamphlets 50 feet from the entrance! Of course, in the end I was too polite to just run by them, but they commended my attempt :)

Phil Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 11:25 PM EST

I spent my time reading Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility and chatting with other the folks who decided to wait 'til the last minute. Nothing against those people, but I was much more interested in the Miss Dashwoods.

Amy Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 10:50 PM EST

I got out of my car at 2:27 and got back in at 3:37 proudly donning a sticker. I was expecting a long wait and was slightly disappointed because I drove a half hour both ways from school.

Crystal Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 10:46 PM EST

They banned stickers here in FL. Stupid!!! Oh, and I read a book. Silent In The Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn.

Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 10:36 PM EST

We waited in line for 2 hours coming up with ideas of movies and concepts that should never be made into musicals. For example, Terri Shaivo the musical.

Meredith44 Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 10:18 PM EST

I worked the election as an inspector, so I was there from 5:30am until 9:30pm and voted when it was slow. We had a huge line at opening and were really busy until about 9am, but then we just did slow, steady business for most of the rest of the day. We had between 75 and 80% turnout in the district (not counting absentee ballots, of which there were quite a few), and I thought that was pretty good!

Hillary Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 10:09 PM EST

I went at 2pm and had no line. None. I was the only one there. My husband went at 6:30, and also had no line.

I spoke to friends in Los Angeles and in Minneapolis (both large cities), and none of them had lines. Where are all these long lines I keep seeing on the news?

Ceej Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 09:42 PM EST

Waited in line for a minute and a half,then did my duty and yes! I got a sticker and wore it proudly the rest of the day!

ks Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 09:16 PM EST

More time looking for a parking spot :) I got my sticker! had to vote after work 4 p.m.

Renee Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 09:15 PM EST

No line when I was voting, it only took 5 mins.

sarah Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 08:43 PM EST

Listened to the new Twilight soundtrack on my 3G (Twerdtastic!). Was in and out in 45 min-- suckers who did "absentee" voting (no early voting in MI) waited 2-4 hours! Suckas.

J D Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 08:31 PM EST

walked in, signed in, got ballot & voted no more than 5 mins begining to end. took longer to find parking space.

Raven_Moon Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 08:25 PM EST

I got in & out pretty quickly. I didn't even have to wait, but I early-voted. There were 2 different stickers. One said "I Voted Early" in English & one in Spanish. Mine is sitting by my computer.

Alex in Milwaukee Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 07:58 PM EST

...oh and I listened to Bon Iver on my iPod.

Alex in Milwaukee Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 07:57 PM EST

i voted when polls opened this morning and got a sticker, it was only a 45 minute wait. you think they'd have more stickers?!


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