Yes, we can.

[blueerica]

Originally Posted by Alex

I believe that scaeagles was pointing out how easy it is to make up stories (in response to the likely fictitious story lashbear posted -- I'm not clear why voting a straight Democratic ticket would cancel a ballot).

But regardless, in response to the quoted sentence, many states, including California, do not require providing any type of ID when you vote.

In fact, my local precinct went one step further when I lived in Oakland. Outside the polling place they posted the list of all the people who were registered at the location (public information anyway). I could easily have requested a ballot in the name of any person on that list. There would be the chance the person had already voted (one election they were crossing names out throughout the day to reflect who'd voted but that was just one) but if I'd been willing I could easily have voted several times a day.

I have no problem with ID laws but there also is no evidence that voter fraud is particularly rampant so I don't care much either way.

Actually the list is supposed to be publicly posted outside the polling place and updated X number of times a day. It's been a while since I've worked at a polling place, but it is the case last I knew. I believe it is so that a party can see whether "Oh, wow, this whole block hasn't come out to vote yet.." and decide to walk down that block, knock on their door, and remind them to vote. I can't remember whether political affiliation was posted. I'm thinking it's not posted.

As an aside, I have yet to receive my absentee ballot stuff.

[flippyshark]

Gosh, here in Florida, we definitely have to have a valid ID. I know, because I was turned away a couple of days ago. My drivers license has a mistake on the address (which I had not heretofore noticed), and so I had to fill out some forms, have my registration updated and I was told it would be a couple of days before I could vote. I was also instructed to get my license corrected.

All this is a good thing, though. I'm glad it wouldn't have been easy to mis-vote. I'm surprised it isn't this way everywhere.

Oh, and I'm going back tomorrow to vote. Any last minute pleas or persuasion must reach me before ten am Florida time Monday morning.

[Gemini Cricket]

Well, I didn't know which thread to post this in... but here it is.

I don’t know that it was always this way, but, for as long as I can remember, just as we move into the final weeks of the Presidential campaign the focus shifts to the undecided voters. “Who are they?” the news anchors ask. “And how might they determine the outcome of this election?”
Then you’ll see this man or woman— someone, I always think, who looks very happy to be on TV. “Well, Charlie,” they say, “I’ve gone back and forth on the issues and whatnot, but I just can’t seem to make up my mind!” Some insist that there’s very little difference between candidate A and candidate B. Others claim that they’re with A on defense and health care but are leaning toward B when it comes to the economy.
I look at these people and can’t quite believe that they exist. Are they professional actors? I wonder. Or are they simply laymen who want a lot of attention?

Source

I love David Sedaris. EH, NM, GD, CP & I were just talking about him.

[wendybeth]

Alaska's largest newspaper just endorsed Obama: Anchorage Daily

"Gov. Palin's nomination clearly alters the landscape for Alaskans as we survey this race for the presidency -- but it does not overwhelm all other judgment. The election, after all is said and done, is not about Sarah Palin, and our sober view is that her running mate, Sen. John McCain, is the wrong choice for president at this critical time for our nation. Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, brings far more promise to the office. In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand. The same cannot be said of Sen. McCain."

[Alex]

Originally Posted by blueerica

Actually the list is supposed to be publicly posted outside the polling place and updated X number of times a day. It's been a while since I've worked at a polling place, but it is the case last I knew. I believe it is so that a party can see whether "Oh, wow, this whole block hasn't come out to vote yet.." and decide to walk down that block, knock on their door, and remind them to vote. I can't remember whether political affiliation was posted. I'm thinking it's not posted.

As an aside, I have yet to receive my absentee ballot stuff.

Well, only once did I see the list being updated to show who had voted but maybe I just didn't notice. Still struck me as wildly reckless to post the exact information needed to commit real voting fraud:

1. Name
2. Address
3. Whether that person has already voted

Combined with no need to provide evidence of identification it just seemed lame. Still, there's no evidence of even a low level of widespread abuse, just seemed stupid.

I can't remember if party registration was posted, though it must have been for primaries since California has closed primaries.

[Stan4dSteph]

Originally Posted by Alex

Well, only once did I see the list being updated to show who had voted but maybe I just didn't notice. Still struck me as wildly reckless to post the exact information needed to commit real voting fraud:

1. Name
2. Address
3. Whether that person has already voted

Combined with no need to provide evidence of identification it just seemed lame. Still, there's no evidence of even a low level of widespread abuse, just seemed stupid.

I can't remember if party registration was posted, though it must have been for primaries since California has closed primaries.

In NY I have to sign a register, and they have a copy of my signature on file that the poll worker compares it against. Is there something like that in CA? I don't remember, but I thought I had to sign something there. Not sure if it was next to my existing signature though.

[Ghoulish Delight]

You do have to sign a register. I can't recall if they have a signature they check against.

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

You do have to sign a register. I can't recall if they have a signature they check against.

Last time I voted at the polling station, I had to provide my CDL. This was a long time back, however and they did check me off the roll.

[Alex]

Yes, you do have to sign. I've never seen them pay the slightest attention to the form of the actual signature and I don't remember there being an exemplar with it. But it has been a couple years now since I last voted in person so maybe I am not remembering.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Alex

I believe that scaeagles was pointing out how easy it is to make up stories (in response to the likely fictitious story lashbear posted -- I'm not clear why voting a straight Democratic ticket would cancel a ballot).

That's exactly what I was doing.