wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

WNYC asked listeners to share their voting experiences and they did from across New York and abroad, posting from Chelsea, Jersey City, Bed-Stuy, Pleasantville, Amsterdam and Argentina. Stay tuned, we’ll post more Vote 2008 tales as they come in.

11:13PM

Things were pretty organized at my polling station this morning. People waited on line without incident. I had been waiting almost an hour and in walks this woman with two small children. She proceeded to walk to the front of the line and cut in front of everyone. What gives someone the right, just because they have a child(ren) to be rude and not follow the same rules as everyone else? This woman clearly wasn’t on her way to work. Why not come back later when the lines have eased up? Pretty inconsiderate if you ask me. Certainly don’t mind making exceptions…for example someone came in on crutches. Had no problem letting him move to the front of the line. Something to consider for the next election. Thank you. — Anonymous

8:29PM

I’ve lived in Jersey City for 17 years, and have never once had had to wait on line to vote in any election. Everything went smoothly, and it was clear that people knew they were participating in an important moment in history. The energy was palpable.That we the people may have a chance to actually impact a presidential election is a foreign concept after the last two. As my husband put it today, Bush did something very important for this country: he motivated many to get out and get rid of him and his policies by exercising their privilege and right to vote. Yes we can. — Stephanie in Jersey City

7:43PM

I am a native brooklynite currently residing in Crown Heights. I was appalled by the absolute incompetence of some workers at my poll site today. I returned to the states from England prematurely after my husband was unable to pick up an absentee ballot for me as planned. I could not miss this moment.

Unfortunately, workers provided my husband and I with the wrong district information. Understandably they could not find our names in the book and we were made to fill out provisional ballots. There were quite a few voters some new, who had the same experience and felt like their voice had been taken from them. –Tamar-kali in Crown Heights, Brooklyn

7:20PM

Hi. I voted at the Silver school on the LES. Was easy, but there was confusion. The table I was directed to was set up so that I didn’t know which poll person to go to. I stood in front of this old guy sitting at the table, and he didn’t even look at me or acknowledge my presence. Weird. The guy behind me asked if I was in the A-L line or the M-Z line. Then I realized I was in the wrong line. Looking on the wall behind the table was a sample ballot and the handwritten signs for which line to stand in. They were behind the voting booth(?) , instead of the table. Weird. The lady that had me sign was great. And so was the voting booth lady. The machine worked fine. I did notice that when I pulled the lever for Obama, the McCaine lever went down a little, so I made sure to push it back up. I also voted a straight democratic ticket by pulling each lever individually, because a friend sent me an email that if you vote straight ticket, the presidential vote won’t count unless you do it manually in addition to voting straight. Weird. But I really want my vote to count so I took my time and did it right. A really exciting day! — Agent Kodiak

6:05PM

In all my 55 years, this has been the most exciting Election Day ever@ Couldn’t wait to rush home and vote at my local station, a first aid squad headquarters here in North Brunswick, NJ. As a blind person with limited vision, I had usually memorized the ballot then pressed my nose close to the inside screen of our electronic voting booth. These machines are much harder to use for blind and visually impaired people than the old mechanical ones…This time, the poll workers were ready for me!! I had reviewed the sample ballot at home with my husband and I was prepared for him to assist me inside the voting boot so as not to delay other voters. The audio device takes 15 to 20 minutes because the voter must listen to the complete list of candidates for each office before casting the vote. — Annemarie in North Brunswick, NJ

5:29PM

Yeah, Woodside! It took less than 10 minutes for me to enter the school, determine my district, get my card and sign in, hand in my card, step behind the curtain, and vote on the old school machine. Please don’t bring tech toWoodside! I don’t ever want to give up going behind the curtain for my conference with my conscience. — Beth

5:10 PM

I’m in South Beach, Staten Island (AD: 60; ED: 21). The polling place was nearly empty at 9:30 this morning. There was a person in the booth, and I was next. There were a few other people from other districts in the same precinct. I saw a young rich couple with a small child voting in district 20–they didn’t look like Republicans. I’m 32 and voted straight-ticket Democrat, and I’m someone who normally votes on split-tickets. Richmond County was the only red county in the Tri-State area in 2004. — Scott

5:07PM

Just got home from voting and had no wait. Although, there was clearly some tension between the poll workers. I think it’s been a long day for them. — Liz in Edgewater NJ

5:03PM
Voted this morning at PS 51 in Midtown West in 2004 and 2008. Same issues four years later: broken machines, names missing from lists, lack of basic communication between poll workers and voters, and long two-hour waits for people in Election Districts 1 and 76. (I guess due to a couple machines per ED for all the new high-rises?) Other machines for other districts (82, 89, 91) had considerably shorter lines.

As for my machine, I was physically unable to move a lever for an Independent state assembly candidate. I tried some other state/local levers to see. The Republican one was also stuck; the Democratic local gov’t. ones were all smooth as silk. I notified two poll workers. One didn’t seem to understand English and the other asked “Was it a Republican?” I said “Independent.” He then said “I have to go work over here [at this other machine] now” and walked away.

–AD in HK

5:02PM

High School of Graphic Arts, 7:45 am, long, mostly quiet lines snaking around a large lunch room. Know or recognise many of the poll monitor/workers (who seem pretty organised) and many voters. A palpable since of gravitas and excitement. Two young women call their mother on thier cell phones, encouraging her to get to her polling place. One tells the mom she is standing in line with “the audacity of hope.” I am thrilled, suddenly, to be a citizen of this crazy, giant, diverse kaleidoscope of a country. And even happier than usual to be living in NYC. On this day, of all days. By way of reporting on efficiencies/deficienies: no one has ever found my name in the registration book on the first try (nearly thirty years of voing in the same district). It is always a language or literacy issue. But it eventually gets found…

–Robin, Hell’s Kitchen

4:51PM

I was at PS149 (Harlem, 117th/Lenox) at 6:45 — at least 100 people ahead of me. I voted at 9:15 (with at least 100 people behind me (I have photo)). Poll workers gave conflicting instructions, poll machines broken. Charter school WAS IN SESSION!!!! Who allowed that? At 8:45, they finally got a 2nd machine, line began to move a little faster. District 4 had no line, working machine … District 6 (mine) had long, long lines, broken machines.
Board of Elections should be tarred and feathered. They had plenty of time. I’ve read others’ stories here. This was a fiasco. IT JUST CANNOT BE THAT HARD.

–Sainted_Mother

4:49PM

I waited just shy of 2 hours to vote mid morning (10:30 A.M.) at Election District 79, on 43rd St. between 8th and 9th Aves. Our polling location had a voting machine malfunction early in the day, leaving only one machine. Hey! This is Times Square! Some people in line with me had to leave to go back to work. When I finally reached the poll, the “down” machine was in working order again, but four people voted on the other machine in the time that I was in front of it. I know this was nothing compared to what many populations around the world endure in order to vote — I’m grateful that it was doable for me, and many of my neighbors. — Kate in NYC (Obama was my choice)

4:48PM

Dear Friends at WNYC, Please send one of your reporters now over to 200 Varick Street and interview all the numerous people that went there in order to get re- registered. For reasons unknown - these regular voters have been taken off the list.(would be interesting to find out if they are all Democrats) Thank you. — RM

4:31PM

I work for a Canadian company but I am based in New York. Canadian companies are obligated to give all employees 3 hours off on the day of a national election. The Canadian company I work for even suggested that I leave early to go vote! But the American companies have no such law — isn’t that a reason for the long lines and lower voter turn-out???

–Adele

4:30PM

When I went to vote this morning, they didn’t have my signature on file, even though I voted successfully in the primaries. Even though they had an affidavit ballot there for me, I wonder why no one told me there was a problem during the primaries.

–Mollie

4:17PM

Just went to my polling place at Cathedral High school. At this point
in the day the lines weren’t too bad - My wife and I were in and out
in half an hour (down from the two-hour wait of this morning) The bit
that was interesting, though was that neither of the mechanical voting
machines for my district (34) were working, so our ballots were cast
on paper. I’m wondering if they’ll ever be counted…

–greg

4:16PM

I arrived at P.S. 163 on W 97th St to vote at 11:00 AM. In the past 30 years, there has been no line. Today I waited in an hour long line with a lot of hopeful and perhaps even cheerful people.
Everyone seemed to feel the weight of this election.

Tony in the UWS

4:15PM

Please help!

I went in to vote for the first time in New York City at my local polling station in Harlem at PS 149 on 117th street. There were over 300 people waiting in line at 6:40am, and two of the three voting machines were broken. I had to wait in line for 3 hours and 40 minutes, and was late for my job as a public school teacher (we had professional development today). I am fortunate that I have an understanding, civic minded principal. The last 15 voters took 32 min. to cast their votes due to only having one book to check in their voters and one booth for district 6. When I got to the front of the line they told me that my wife and I were not in the books, and we had to cast a paper ballot. We registered 1 month prior to the deadline, and had voter cards confirming that this was in fact our poling location.

–Chris
Obama Supporter and Public School Science Teacher

4:13PM

I waited an hour and a half to vote at 7:15 this morning, and then I was not on the voter rolls, even though I voted at the same polling place (with the same address) in the primaries. I was given a paper affidavit ballot, but it seemed the people working at the poll didn’t really know what to do with my ballot when I gave it back to them.

–Deborah in Crown Heights, Brooklyn

4:10 PM

I voted around lunch time today at a near-Chinatown location, the Sun Yat Sen Middle School. We had a little problem with those senior citizens at the voting tables. The table I was at to vote forgot her ticket tally (some system they had at the time), which apparently was supposed to be how they’d keep track, and yet they lost track. Perhaps it’s just a senior moment. But… this wasn’t the first time I encounted such problems. Last time they had a problem with the machine, and the supervisor there was at a loss. I had an exchange with the supervising security officer there. He disagreed with me. But I stated to him that there was no excuse in that the Board of Elections wasn’t holding such elections for the first time. Amazing! Not an efficient system.

–SM in Chinatown

4:07PM

My Voting Experience. I voted at 75 Morton Street and the lever was stuck, so the poll workers handed me an Emergency Ballot, which I entered into a cardboard box. Someone at work teased that it doesn’t count. How soon are emergency ballots counted? Thanks!

–hyacinth

4:02PM

Dear Friends at WNYC!
This did not only happened to Tim Robbins, it happened to my husband and many other registered voters as well. We are registered in Manhattan voting district #53 and all of the sudden my husbands name was not listed anymore - even so we used the same polling station before. Please investigate this situation.

–Rosemarie in Manhattan

3:28PM

When I went to check in to vote at PS 119 in Brooklyn this morning, the volunteer I spoke with took my ID and searched for my last name in the poll book. I was then given a paper ballot. When I asked why I was not allowed to vote using the machine I was told my name isn’t not in the poll book. I asked her to check again and watched as she looked for my last name (Read) on three pages of names that start with C, and once again state that she couldn’t find my name. After a good bit of explaining that Christina is my first name, not my last, and then convincing her to please just check under R to see if I’m there, she finally found my name. After this “mystery” was solved, she asked me to sign by my name, which I did, and then I watched as she initialed next to the name above mine, Fortunately I noticed and had her correct this, otherwise the person whose name came before mine might have been turned away.

–Christina in Brooklyn

3:26PM

I thought I would be OK arriving at my polling place located across the street at 254 W 94th Street. Boy was I wrong. The line snacked through the halls of the basement where I joined it at the street at 6.15 am. I excused myself and went to see how long it was and wow! it was long. There were soooo many people. There was one booth for the 111th and one booth for the 112th. There was a single woman checking in people for each and the process was excruciatingly slow and archaic. Why only one booth for each district when everyone knew there would be record turnout? People in general were cooperative but even at the early hour of 6.30, there were heated emotions about why the line was moving so slow. At 7.35 am, I cast my vote and left. I felt quite lucky only having to wait for an hour and 20 minutes. I would hate to be there when people are going to try to vote after work! That truly will be a mess. Here’s a question-if you are on the line at 9.00 pm, do you still get to vote?

–Mary on the Upper West Side

3:16PM

I just want to report that I registed to vote and received my voting card twice but I wasn’t allowed to vote on the machines because I wasn’t in the book. I reported the situation to the election board and I confirmed my active status and they even gave me my serial voter number. The Republican lady at my table insisted there was only one book while I’ve been told by several sources there should’ve been 2. The envelope with affidavits was pretty large at 10:30am. This is in Brooklyn, PS 132

–Karen

3:16PM

All good in Highland Park, NJ. I voted this morning at 6:45 a.m. and avoided the first crush of crowds. The poll workers looked fine but having seen the amount of traffic that early, also looked a bit wary. But no problems!

–Elin

3:10PM

The voting machine for Election District 91 in Brooklyn is broken and has been broken for several hours so we had to vote with paper ballots, placed in a cardboard ballot box. District 91 is a very motivated district and had long lines. I hope our votes are actually counted. Just wanted to let you know

–Daniel

3:07PM

A lot of students voting up at Columbia today are being turned away because their names are not on the lists. The only thing the poll workers knew was a story they’d heard on the news this morning about voter registrations being sent to the wrong place, but had absolutely no real information for us. We’re a lot of young, recent registrants and it looks like a huge number of us will have had to fill out paper ballots today and will never know what happens to our votes. I am personally devastated to not be able to see my vote count today.

–Emma

3:06PM

Just voted in Rowayton CT - no lines at all. Great experience!

–Andrea

2:45PM

I went to vote at noon (at a school in the lower east side- on Ridge street between Rivington and Stanton) and there were just a few other people there. I am not sure why…everyone else i talked to had to wait in long lineswith crowds.
–Lauren on the LES

2:33PM

I just wanted to write a quick note and let you know that the biggest complaints people have had today with voting:

1) The incompetence and lack of knowledge of the volunteers helping with the voting polls
2) The very long lines
3) The lack of voting booths

I had no problem with my voting area being crowded (Bensonhurst, Brooklyn), but did have a problem with the lack of knowledge of the volunteers (consisting mostly of very elderly people). Not being very knowledgeable myself, I had no idea that I was at the wrong table (district), and they kept telling me that my name did not exist, and that I should go fill out an affadavit. When I argued with them that I had come there for many years and voted, they shook their heads and said it happens all the time with other people.

–Tracie in Bensonhurst

4:30PM

Please DO NOT announce vote tallies from the eastern states prior to the polls closing in central and western states. These could skew votes by people feeling that their votes don’t matter! Questionable results have occurred before that, rightly or wrongly, have been attributed to this disclosure.

–Ellen

2:28PM

An elderly friend of mine told me that when she went to vote this morning, at the school across from the police station on Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove, NJ, she was told that the voting machines were broken. They had her write her votes on a piece of paper and put it in a sealed envelope. I’d like to get someone to look into this but don’t know who to call. I have left a message with someone at the Obama headquarters in West Orange, NJ.

–Linda in New Jersey

2:28PM

I have heard at least 2 reports on npr/wnyc in the last few days that talked about the problem of people not being able to take time off from work to vote. But no one has mentioned that by law your employer MUST give you time off to vote if you need it. Of course, not all employers follow (or are aware of) the law, but as a news organization you should know it and inform your listeners.

–Jonathan in Brooklyn

2:24PM

While I was waiting in line a gentleman came in with an Obama shirt and hat. As far as I understood this was not allowed at the polls. However he was convinced there wasn’t a problem because he wasn’t handing out literature and at least as long as it took me to vote the poll workers didn’t say anything. I was a little confused by this situation because I have heard of people being turned for just such a reason. I am sure it is uncomfortable enough to be a McCain supporter in a place like New York CIty without having to see that while
voting!

–Gretchen in New York City

2:20PM

Today, I went to vote in Brooklyn with my two sons, ages 10 and 14. We were all wearing buttons for our candidate, and my 10 year old was wearing a cap proclaiming his choice as well. A poll worker told us that he had to remove the hat, and that even the buttons were not allowed! I was shocked and insisted that she was wrong, voters can wear whatever they like. I called the League of Women Voters and found out that … the poll worker was correct!

–MFG

2:09PM

Voting Lines in Flatbush. A Caribbean-American community - if you joined the line at 9:00 a.m., your wait was 2 1/2 hours to vote.

–Cheryl in Brooklyn

2:07PM

I just cast my vote in the 25th District of Williamsburg, Brooklyn at PS17. I did see something that deeply disturbed me though. While in the 30 minute line I was able to view the rear of the machine I was about to cast my vote in. I saw a sticker that said something to the effect of, “please be careful when cutting the metal security seal as edges may be sharp.” The disturbing part was that this security seal, which held the rear door shut and tamper proof, had already cut and allowed easy access to the inside of the machine. While contemplating what this meant, I looked around and noticed another voting machine that had the rear door open! My heart sank as I looked at the glee faces of the voting administrators. I don’t know what the exact ramifications of the open door were, but it did not inspire confidence.

–Alex, Architect, in Williamsburg

1:49 PM

I am a voter in District 57 in Brooklyn (Clinton Hill). They still only have one voting booth per district at this polling site. At 1pm there were at least 70 people in line ahead of me, and only about one person every 2 minutes was getting checked in. As I only have one-hour lunch and dinner breaks today (working 8am-11pm), I was not able to wait the 2-3 hours it would take and had to return to work. Praying that the line is more manageable over my dinner hour. If it isn’t, I will not be able to cast my vote.

–Razuber in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

1:34 PM

i voted on the lower east side today in my building… it only took ten minutes. however, the people running the polls were asking for i.d., simply because they didn’t know any better i didn’t have my i.d. so they said no problem. i asked them when do you need i.d. and they said, it’s only if a name is marked to request i.d. because that person has several aliases.

–mary in the LES

12:26 PM

I emailed you earlier about the problems with the voting machine in Passaic County—Wayne. After talking to people I became convinced it didn’t record my vote so I went back to the polling place and a representative of the Attorney General’s office was there with a state trooper. Other people had complained.
They gave me a paper ballot to vote again and a complaint form.

–Sam in Passaic County, NJ

12:01PM
My vote is not going to count! I waited for over 2 hours at the 97th district, only to be told that my name was not on the rolls, even though I confirmed yesterday on-line that I was registered in that district. The woman in front of me experienced the same thing. They gave us provisional ballets which are never counted. My spirited is dampened. –Matthew from Brooklyn

11:59AM
Power to Obama and “All the President’s Homies” very inspiring. –fouad from ksa

11:55AM
I am an immigrant from Bolivia and unfortunately I will not be a Citizen until next year. I coach in one of the state universities in NJ. About half of my student-athletes will not be in practice because they eagerly said “Coach, I will be going to my hometown to vote!” –Mario from Hackensack, NJ

11:47AM
I am a former New Orleans resident who was relocated to Jersey City after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and the tragic negligence of the Bush Administration. Although my voting experience was short and easy this morning, it felt amazing to finally be feeling the winds of change rather than the winds of woe. That being said, if I can take anything away from my Katrina experience, it’s that change really comes from the people of this country, not the government. No one man is going to rectify this nation’s path—we all must be active participants, and we all must be willing to get our hands dirty and make our voices heard. Partying tonight in Bed Stuy–Obama Burgers!! –Isaac from Jersey City

11:20AM
My wife of 27 years is a staunch Republican, I’m an independent with different ideas from hers. After voting this afternoon, we are going to the movies: Beverly Hills Chihuahua. –Tom from Upper West Side

11:19AM
I vote in the basement of an enormous housing project in Harlem. Normally, there are no lines at all, but today the room was full and the line was into the hallway. About 98% of those in line were African American. The atmosphere was humming with an excited, but also solemn kind of energy. It was clear that this is an unprecedented, historic day. –Melissa from Harlem

11:12AM
we voted in Carroll gardens and the line was 2 hours long for district 84 but finally voted and jumped into the car to get out the vote in north east Philly. –Aaron and Naomi from Driving down 95 south

11:08AM
This election feels like an exorcism of electoral ghosts for me: in 2000, I was working in Uzbekistan. After the embassy’s vote-watching breakfast faded towards a lunch and finally to an inconclusive finish, for what seemed like months every cab driver and shop owner to notice my accent would ask, “do you have a president yet?” What followed was eight years of embarrassed explanations to my foreign friends of the political situation in my country. –Rebecca from Manhattan

10:57AM
My mother, in her 70s and a Florida resident, took her 5-year-old grandson with her to cast an early ballot last week - a wonderful lesson in Civics. A couple of days later, on Halloweeen night, Aidan went trick-or-treating. One house where they stopped had a McCain/Palin sign on the lawn. Aidan walked up to the door, knocked, and when they opened the door he announced, “I voted for Obama but I still want some candy, please.” — Cynthia from Manhattan

10:57AM
We are going to have a party here in Argentina to, HOPEFULLY, celebrate the results of the election tonight. Given that we are two hours ahead of the east coast, we may be up late tonight but we hope to be able to open the champagne before ushing in the new day. For those living in the United States, maybe you don’t realize that the rest of the world is holding its breath. Even taxi drivers here ask me to update them about the most recent polls. — Dan from Argentina

10:52AM
1st time voting in Harlem. got there at 6:10 and line was already down the block. After two hours finally got to front, only to find out that both machines were broken and there were still 20 people ahead of me with numbers. Was told i could not take number and come back. Left for work and will try again later. Very frustrating. — russell from harlem

10:52AM
By Going Out to vote in the community, everyone is reminded that they ARE part of this world, not someone behind the anonymity of this digital media age. The act of going to the polls to vote is a very active personal endeavor, and it should be maintained. — Lisa from CT

10:50AM
My mother-in-law was visiting us in 2004. She is from El Salvador and has raised 12 children into adulthood during a horrific civil war. I asked her if she wanted to come with me when I voted and I saw a flicker of fear go across her face. At first I didn’t understand but then I realized I had forgotten what a privilege the right to vote was! I did my best to reassure her that all would be well. — JuneBug from New Jersey

10:50AM
After work today I will be picking up my senior citizen parents and 2 neighbors who have asked me to take them to their polling place to vote. They feel very strongly about casting their vote in all elections. their ages are 82,83,85 and 86. They are all voting for McCain. Then I will go home and vote Democratic. This is our system and I applaud it. — Paul B working in the Bronx

10:49AM
I am an immigrant from the Netherlands, here for 10 years. I Became a citizen in 2006 specifically to vote in this election. I am addicted to these elections and am glad that it will be over tonight or tomorrow.
– Fredrik Bouw from Manalapan, NJ

10:48AM
I am a native New Yorker living in Indiana. Although I miss New York, it is so exciting to vote in a swing state. I am attending a party tonight with my fellow graduate students from the University of Notre Dame. It is awesome to see so many young people getting out on Election Day. –Meredith M.

10:47AM
Very disappointing and unfair. I am a McCain supoporter and think that the system stinks. I understand that New York will go for Obama because of the electoral college. Basically because of this, my vote does not count. How democratic is that? Down with the electoral college. Let every vote count. One vote per person, and let the popular vote decide. –Jesse from NYC

10:47AM
As a mother of a bi-racial white/african-american son, I was especially excited to walk over and vote today. I feel that whatever today’s outcome, there is a groundswell of purpose and power that cannot be stifled by voting machine shenanigans, gerrymandering, or the like. –Kathryn from harlem

10:44AM
I live in Connecticut but go to (a pretty liberal) college in Iowa, where most of us participated in early voting. So my election day today is being spent worrying if our votes are actually going to count. Just yesterday, a team of Republican lawyers gave word that they’re trying to contest 700 of our votes based on a registration technicality - that we should have registered at our dorms and not our campus mailboxes, even though we can’t receive mail at our dorm addresses. So that’s great. –Rebecca from Grinnell, IA

10:43AM
I have always voted and performed that task in a rather perfunctory manner. This time I felt like an Athenian, scratching a big W on an ostracon as I pulled the lever down for Obama. –Michael Stoltz from Brooklyn, Prospect Heights

10:41AM
I am African American man and this morning my wife and I took our kids to the poll with us to vote for Barack Obama. Our kids are 4 and 1.5 years old. I told our 4 year old daughter that we were going to vote and that she should remember this day because we had a chance to vote for Black man for President. I wasn’t emotional when we were at the polls but now I am tearing up because it means so much to me and to all of us who are turning out to vote! –Jeffrey Robinson from Piscataway, New Jersey

10:36AM
I was on line in Bay Ridge this morning at 5:50am. A British friend woke me up with a text at 5:00 saying they would be staying up all night to watch the results. This is truly a global event. I beat some of the poll workers there. There were about 35 - 50 people waiting when the doors opened at about 6:05. It was so exciting to see people of all ages and different races gathering in the darkness. There was a woman with her young son waiting in front of us and he was asking about what voting was. As she answered him I felt excited and more American than I’ve felt in years. The doors opened at 6:05 and we all flooded the hallway. — Jodi from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

10:31AM
Goosebumps! …and a few really happy tears shed this morning as i left my polling place with the thought “I just voted for black man for president of the United States of America! …and he could WIN!”
I’m a deeply cynical 48-year-old leftie white woman, who regards–and will continue to regard-ALL politicians with a skeptical eye. Pretty much every vote i’ve ever cast has been a lesser-of-evils decision. Voting normally depresses me, and i WEPT for joy–for goodness sake! Who would’ve thought? — Ann from Manhattan

10:23AM
I’m a first time voter. Became a citizen last year. I found the voting experience archaic and chaotic. The NY Board of Elections could learn a lot from the NGOs helping out in countries with serious threat of voter fraud, on how to run clear and well run elections. — RICARDO TOLEDO from Roosevelt Island, NY

10:19AM
Yes, I am having a party tonight, a Tex-Mex extravaganza to celebrate the return of George Bush to his ranch in Crawford, TX, the one certain outcome of this election! I am serving gazpacho soup, 2 kinds of chili, and corn bread. –Leigh Hallingby from Teaneck, NJ

10:16AM
I personally love the clunky old lever machines. Why is it necessary to replace them with something dodgier? Whynot just build some new lever machines? Too, why isn’t Election Day a National holiday? It strikes me as a given. –Daniel from Manhattan

10:14AM
I became a citizen this year and voted for the first time at PS 41 in the West Village. The line was around the corner the tail end half way down 10th st., around 6th ave. to the polling station on 11th st., but I was out within 1/2 hour. - got there at 7am. I love the sound of those levers. –Jay F.

10:12AM
PS9 in Prospect Heights, the line was around the corner and down St. Marks…unheard of. Staff competant and friendly, although they could open a window. — no atlantic yards from brooklyn

10:12AM
A _very_ crowded polling place at PS93 at 8am, but a lot of the line was people trying to find out their election district. If you can look up your election district ahead of time, it can save you a lot of time; we were able to walk right up to the 28th district booth and vote with no line at all. election district lookup: http://gis.nyc.gov/vote/ps/index.htm — brad from bed stuy/crown heights

10:12AM
I always vote. This was the longest line with the most people of color and the most young people than I have ever seen. My daughter is 17 so has just missed the election, but for the first time I took her into the stall with me to observe the process so she will be that much more prepared for next time. Afterwards we went for fresh baked bread at The Bread Shop in Montclair where the English owner had baked warm toasty Obama buns! –Denise from Montclair, NJ

10:11AM
I got to the polls at 5:45 am at PS 75 on the UWS. I was about 50th in line. By the time the polls opened the line was around the block. Everyone on line knew today was going to be special! — Brian from Manhattan

10:09AM
I have always hated waiting on lines probably stemming from my time in the army when it was “hurry up and wait” I never felt so good to be in a line before and felt a community spirit with everyone with me this morning. What an exciting day this is. I feel like a proud American for the first time in a long time. –Leo Farley from Manhattan

10:06AM
Around a 20 minute wait in Greenpoint at 7 this morning with around 50 people waiting. The poll worker said there was a line down the block at 6am when the poll opened. By way of comparison, when I voted in the 2004 presidential election at the same location and around the same time of day, I was the only voter in the polling place. –Ben from Brooklyn

10:03AM
At my Town Hall I saw an 18-year-old girl voting for the first time. She was with her mom and grandmother and I don’t know why, I got really emotional…I just felt compelled to shake her hand and say congratulations…I know so many parents who were planning to vote this morning, but were asked by their grade-school children to wait until the afternoon or tonight so they (the kids) could go, too. A lot of my friends who are grade-school teachers say that they have never before seen this kind of interest in an election from young kids. I drove home from Town Hall listening to “Sufferin’ Until Suffrage” off the America Rock album. Feels good. –Leigh from Somers, NY

09:58AM
Went to my polling place in Brklyn this a.m. it was a cluster-*** of democratic mismanagement…long lines, little signage, no directions, poll workers not knowing left from right (I ain’t kidding)…took me a long time to vote 3rd party, but it was worth it…–Joe Corrao from Brooklyn

09:41 AM
At voting line in bklyn heights now jammed like everywhere else. Had a celebrity sighting - Paul Giamatti standing in the lines with the rest of us. My husband embarrassed us - the poll lady told him he had to take off all his Obama buttons - then he gave her a hard time about his shirt….–Noreen in Brooklyn Heights

09:24 AM
There were nearly a dozen people (mostly young white people in their 20s) waiting on line when I left PS 111 in Bushwick. I’ve lived here for more than four years and there have never been more than a handful of people at the polling place when I voted. This election is obviously different! — Mike Lavers from Bushwick, Brooklyn

08:07 AM
At 160 Chauncey Street in Bed-Stuy, hundreds were waiting to enter the polling place at 5:50AM. At 6:10 one of the machines had already broken down and many were told they’d have to wait an hour to vote or fill out paper ballots. Many seemed skeptical about the viability of the latter option. –Heather in Brooklyn

08:04 AM
The lines at the PS-29 polling place in Cobble Hill are around the corner. I’ve never seen it like this. Look for an Obama landslide, at least in New York. — Mike from Brooklyn on The Brian Lehrer Show

7:50 AM
In district 49 in Brooklyn, I got on line at 6AM (it was stretching around the block and down to the Avenue) and didn’t finish voting until almost 7:30. People saw the line and left saying they didn’t have time they had to go to work. — Amy from Brooklyn

7:18 AM
At 6:00 AM I was unable to vote at one of the polling places in Pleasantville, NY (mid Westchester County) due to malfunctioning machines. Help was reportedly requested from election officials in White Plains (c. 10 miles distant), but I and many (perhaps half) of those in line had to leave. I will try again later in the day, and can only hope that the others will return as well. –Leonard in Pleasantville

7:12 AM
I was at the polls in brooklyn before they opened and there was already a line down the block. after we voted, we came out and saw our neighbors who we don’t ever really talk to and we all just embraced and kissed each other. we’ve been brought together in new ways because of this election. it’s a new day and we’re all ready, together. and we’re saying to each other, “here we go!” –Hannah in Brooklyn

7:11 AM
Late poll opening causes lines at Drake Fire Sttion in New Rochelle. Many people saw the line and left. The polling place did not open until 6:32. — Janet

7:10 AM
Polling place at 21-16 44th Rd did not open on time. I was there at 5:55 and was 12th online. They didn’t start letting voters in until about 6:20 and I didn’t get to vote until 6:55am - 12th on line and it took me an HOUR to vote! The workers were borderline incompetent - had a hard time finding my name in the list because a) they were looking for my first name and b) they simply don’t understand alphabetization. It was unbelievable. — Kurt-Owen in Long Island City

7:10 AM
I have to say that the lines were impressive today. I got to the polls at 6 AM (which I did during the primaries as well) and there was a huge line around the block that wasn’t there on February 5th. However, I got in and out in about an hour. What was strange was that despite living in my same apartment for over 2 years and voting at the same polling place in February (where I was on the books), I wasn’t listed this time around. It’s vaguely suspicious. However, I was given a paper ballot and able to vote with ease, so whatever strangeness occurred, I was still able to vote with ease. –Andrew in Brooklyn

7:06 AM
3 block line, Clinton Hill, 7am. Last election it was 3 people. –One

7:03 AM
I was the first person in District 11 to vote and my husband was second. When they took me to the booth they asked me if I was voting Democrat or Republican because they said they needed to set the booth. I have always voted with “The Old Red Handled Voting Booth” and they have never asked me this question before that I recalled. Why did I get asked this question? I voted and left. –Cassandra

6:59 AM
I just came back from voting at Goddard-Riverside Housing (it’s at 593 Columbus Ave in Manhattan). I’m voted in Election District 4, but the poll workers for an adjacent ED’s line, #9, have 2 machines for their district. The poll worker repeatedly announced, “If you are voting Republican, you need to tell us when you get to the table so we can be sure you use the correct machine.” She went on to explain that one of the machines is broken and Republican votes will not register on that machine. Why don’t they just take the broken machine out of service and let voters retain the right to a private vote. This sounds like something out of a SNL skit, but she was absolutely serious. –Bob in Manhattan

6:51 AM
I have lived and voted in my building in East Harlem (aka Spanish Harlem) for 33 years without a problem ever. This morning at 6:35, I went downstairs to vote only to find that there is a problem with the one machine. They are now waiting for the technician, and some people have filled out paper ballots.
Diane in Spanish Harlem

6:49 AM
Hi! I just voted in the East Village, district 32, three machines were not working, we had to fill out emergency ballots with pen, fold the paper and put them into a box. Can’t say I feel too secure that my vote will ever be counted! -Amy in Manhattan

6:48 AM
Poll location: 45-11 31st Ave, Astoria Queens (PS 10 JHS) - Elect District 90. I arrived at 6:02 AM. Already 25+ people in line. By 6:20 AM poll still not opened. Volunteer said the “election coordinator” never showed up. “No idea” when the poll would be open. I was willing to stay an hour to vote, but not if it looked like the poll might not even open by then. I left. –Patrick in Queens

6:44 AM
Good morning, 6:00 a.m. Election Day at PS 153, 1750 Amsterdam Avenue at 147th Street in Hamilton Heights, Harlem, New York City. NYC polls open — Just attempted to vote at at PS 153 and there is already a HUGE line all the way around the block almost to Broadway. Heard some older Harlem residents after voting exclaiming how wonderful it felt! Who said New York doesn’t matter??!! Wonderful!!! –Steve in Harlem

6:38 AM
Voting at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Pelham NY: unprecedented crowds for this hour, but all smooth. — John from Pelham NY

6:37 AM
Chelsea PS 33 (Ninth Ave at 26th Street) is a madhouse! The line was around the block by 5:45. Many-many people (including me) have to vote with paper affidavit. And they were unprepared with the paper ballots. People (including me) are very upset that our names are not in the book, even though we have proof of our registrations. They don’t even have a place to put our Votes once we have filled out the paper ballot. It is total chaos. — Laurie in Manhattan

6:12 AM
The poll @ 59th st & 47th ave in Woodside Queens opened 8 minutes late with about 100 people in line. The machine from the 47th election district has defeated the old women running this site handily. -Stafford from Queens