I VOTED

[RayThom]

I cast my vote at my local Kennett Square poll at around 9AM today. I was #112 which is a high number for that time of day, and almost as high as it was for the '16 presidential election. Way more older constituents than younger.

There were five voters at the Democrat literature table, none at the Repug table. My County of Chester has been notoriously Republican for decades so I'm hoping my vote will continue some of the necessary housecleaning that shocked many of the now ex-incumbent fat cats in the '18 election.

Although I haven't read anything in the media to back this up, I truly feel today's vote is going to turn out being a referendum on our Grifter-in-Chief. I'm praying that will be the case and I want it to resonate loudly and painfully with our impeachment worthy POS-POTUS.

Vote early, and vote often.

And Sean Spicer lives to dance another day.

[eddieq]

I was number 28 this morning in beautiful Montgomery County, PA. We went to the paper ballots that you fill in like a scantron and then put it in the scanner machine. I noticed on the two-sided ballot that they sharpies they gave us to fill in our ballot bled through to the other side. Fortunately none of the circles on the front lined up with the circles on the back, but I'm curious if there can be potential issues with that procedure. Growing pains.

[Crackpot]

There was no elections in my district today

[RayThom]

... I noticed on the two-sided ballot that they sharpies they gave us to fill in our ballot bled through to the other side. Fortunately none of the circles on the front lined up with the circles on the back, but I'm curious if there can be potential issues with that procedure. Growing pains.

No, the "bleed through" does not create a problem. The ballot is printed in a manner where the front and back circles are offset, and the scanner scans only the lines it's programed to read.

I've been voting this way for years and I am quite comfortable with it, especially knowing that my vote creates a definite "paper trail" in case a recount is necessary.

Rest easy, your vote has been safely registered.

[Sue U]

I voted this a.m., too. NJ State Assembly was the top of the ticket. In the county we have races for three seats on the Board of Chosen Freeholders (that's "county commissioners" for the rest of you). Also on the ballot is Kelly Ripa's dad for County Clerk (again), mayor and three seats on township council, four seats on the school board, and two fire district commissioners.

Much contest, very excitement!

[Long Run]

Dropped my ballot off a week ago -- vote by mail. Local issues only.

[RayThom]

I voted this a.m., too. NJ State Assembly was the top of the ticket. In the county we have races for three seats on the Board of Chosen Freeholders (that's "county commissioners" for the rest of you). ... Much contest, very excitement!

What's you take on that wiley Wepubwican wascal, Mike Testa? I knew him well when he was a student at Nova. (Bryn Mawr Dunks was a great hangout for future "movers and shakers.") I always enjoyed Mike's company, probably because we were less political back then. Unfortunately, when watching the political attack ad on TV I fear he went far to the dark side. He's definitely his father's son -- so to speak.

I emailed him a few weeks ago telling him, although we are diametrically opposed politically, that I wished him well, but I'm sure he knew I was lacking enthusiasm and sincerity. I'm really hoping his opponent, Bob Alphabet, is well liked by his constituents. My gut tells me Mike has become a true believer/defender of our Grifter-in-Chief. Sad.

Any thoughts?

[Sue U]

I haven't actually seen Mike or his dad for a number of years (I do see one of the other attorneys from the firm at meetings pretty regularly, though), and quite frankly I too was disappointed in the tone of his campaign. It's not like his opponent, Bob Andrzejcak, is some flaming radical; he's actually a pretty conservative Democrat (and we have an actual Socialist Party in NJ for those who are so inclined). But Mike is running against Trenton and Democrats generally, which I guess is some kind of strategy for this race but I don't think it's a very good one. Even the Assembly minority leader isn't as strident in his campaign.

I didn't send any money to Mike and surprisingly I haven't even seen the NJ trial lawyers backing him (even though his dad is still technically a member of the Board of Governors). If he gets elected I'm sure he'll be fine on the lawyer-related issues, and on the other stuff he'll be far outnumbered by the Dems, so I'm not terribly concerned one way or the other.

[RayThom]

... If he gets elected I'm sure he'll be fine on the lawyer-related issues, and on the other stuff he'll be far outnumbered by the Dems, so I'm not terribly concerned one way or the other.

That's a fair assessment.

If he gets back in touch with me I'll share -- as long as it's not too personal.

Politics warps the senses.

[ex-khobar Andy]

I'm watching the KY Governor's race - Trump was here yesterday touting Matt Bevin (R) who looks likely to lose. Bevin won in 2015 but with 83% of precincts reporting he is behind the D candidate 48% to 50%. KY is naturally GOP and the rest of the down tickets Rs appear to be winning.

88% reporting now and still Beshear (D) by 2%.

Edited to correct spelling of Bevin.

[ex-khobar Andy]

99% reporting and although it's not officially declared yet, it looks as if Beshear (D) has defeated Bevin (R) despite Trump stumping for Bevin.

[Scooter]

Bevin is refusing to concede. Shades of Pat McCrory in North Carolina in 2016.

Democrats also win both state House and Senate in Virginia. Among other things, will this make Virginia the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment?

[ex-khobar Andy]

The KY Secretary of State's Office has declared Beshear the winner, despite Bevin refusing to concede.

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/n ... 173273002/

[Econoline]

[Scooter]

Wasn't sure whether to post this here, or in the "you couldn't make this shit up" thread, but I'm thinking this might not be such a singular happening next year.

You'd imagine that this campaign ad for a Virginia state House seat was a typical play to capitalize on anti-Trump sentiment:



until you realize that it was put out by a Republican incumbent who is claiming that his Democratic challenger is too Trump-like.

[Lord Jim]

Woman who was fired for flipping off President Trump wins election in Virginia



LEESBURG, Va. —

The woman who lost her job after displaying her middle finger at President Trump’s motorcade has won a seat on a county board of supervisors in Virginia.

With 99% of the vote reported by the Loudoun County Office of Elections on Tuesday night, unofficial returns showed Democrat Juli Briskman ahead of Republican incumbent Suzanne Volpe with 52% of the vote.

Among her goals, Briskman said she would increase transparency in local government.

Briskman was on a bike ride in October 2017 and was photographed making the gesture as Trump’s motorcade went by. She told her bosses what happened after the photo went viral and was asked to leave her government contracting job or face termination. She sued and won a severance claim, but her wrongful-termination lawsuit was dismissed.

https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/ ... s-election

[eddieq]

Local school board race here - five seats with 7 candidates. Ten total votes across nine precincts separated the fifth and final spot from the sixth. They were completely tied up until the final precinct reported.

Local borough council also had five candidates for three open positions. Very tight race there. Nine votes separated third and final from the fourth and another two votes to the fifth place finisher. Interestingly, a single write-in got seven and another got one. Well, interesting to me, anyway.

[BoSoxGal]

My city elected its first ever female mayor, which is cool. I’m just disappointed that they chose the Republicunt candidate over the Democrat (both were female). I’ve been saddened in general to realize my district is redder than most of eastern Massachusetts - far too many Trumpanzees as evidenced by comments on local FB pages and stupid yard signs. *sigh*