Voting in Portage County

[MajGenl.Meade]

That's the first live, show up at the polls and push button-thingies I've done since McCain's 2008 presidential bid.

I was absolutely horrified (not!) that I had to provide a photo ID and recite my address to prove my claim to be the same person whose name is on the eligible voter list.

All around the voting station, thousands - nay, millions - of the poor, the elderly, the homeless and the mentally challenged without IDs were wandering forlornly in weeping confusion after having walked in bare feet 17 miles through snow and ice, once dormant volcanoes and Republicans with "They Shall Not Poll" signs only to find that they were refused the right to vote except provisionally.

"Why, it's easier to get Food Stamps, ADC, unemployment, WIC, and all that stuff than it is to get an ID" said one frustrated non-voter. "Is that pot gonna be free anyway?"

I was crushed this morning to read that the Portage County computers, which had worked just fine in all the tests before polling day, had refused to count any votes at all from the voting machines. Just no communication. So although my Yes Yes No votes were exactly in line with the resounding Yes Yes No majorities statewide, I feel a little left out too - I haven't been counted yet either.

Apparently being able to identify oneself is no guarantee of democratic participation. I shall be joining the demonstration downtown tomorrow to protest the requirement to have an ID - although my banner will deal more with the failure of electronic devices to count me in.

[BoSoxGal]