So I volunteered this morning as an affiliated but non-partisan Election Observer. I spent most of the time answering questions from students about id requirements, which line they should be in, and address change issues. Overall, I’m very excited by the high turnout of PSU students, and that they were willing to stand in line (in 50* weather) for up to two hours. The stereotypical response of students ranged from a little grumble to a “what, look at this line!” but the vast majority, what I’d estimate to be 95%, stayed and voted.
Here’s an example of the line at 611 E. Prospect Ave.
Really – all and all a good day, and I think that’s echoed in the general media coverage. There were, however, substantial evidence of the general incompetence of local election officials (for example, in accurately estimating the staff required to handle predicted turnout, or splitting the poll book to a-k and l-z can go to different little old ladies with bad eyesight to confirm registration).
That’s fine though–standard, and to be expected. After all, it’s local government. Something that really got me was (now i feel like Lewis Black) when this girl standing in line said she was worried about not making it to her test on time! Sorry, test? A professor assigned you an 11:15 exam on election day? I always believed the joke that professors were liberal, and wanted to encourage their students to get out and vote.
It’s okay though — because people showed up. Penn State Live and the Huffington Post both report on 1,000 people in line at the HUB, the on-campus student union (although I think 5 precincts are voting at the same location). And it’s okay because people stayed in line. Perseverance beats a little incompetence any day.
No related posts.
