This is why Republicans have waged an effort to encourage their base to vote absentee. This is why early voting is so important. Places like Pennsylvania, an important state, has NO EARLY voting. As a result, it will lead to chaos on the one day they've allotted for voting. Long lines are ridiculous! Early voting helps relieve some of the pressure but it really is ridiculous to have wait more than 2 hours to vote in our country.
I AM in Broward County - I got very lucky, I only waited a little over an hour - but worth mentioning, we have so many things on the ballot including multiple amendments, judges, sheriff, et cetera - the ballot was FOUR PAGES LONG, FRONT AND BACK. When people finally get in, it is taking many people as long as ten minutes or more to get through the whole stinking thing. That's another reason the lines are so blasted long.
I voted early this last Thursday, and the wait was one hour and thirty minutes. I wonder if this could have been solved by the opening of extra early voting sites, especially in urban areas.
In Australia, ALL citizens are required to vote -- the US should adopt that law and the presidential ballot should NOT include anything but voting for the president. The senate/congress and other initiatives should be separate voting days.
I'd love to have the US make our election day a national holiday. Or at least hold the election day on a weekend. Having it on the day made sense in the past, when our country was a largely agrarian society. Now it is an embarrassment.
I'll bet the lines at hard core Republican districts will be short and sweet. Just more voter manipulation brought to you by overt RepugnantCON vote rigging and outright manipulation. They are so sure of themselves they don't even try to disguise it anymore. They feel they are seated in inscrutable seats of power, insulated from all repercussions of illegal actions by political connections and ungodly accumulations of ill gotten wealth. Damn them all.
"No one's is really to blame, though I recognize the problem."
We just had a federal election here in Canada and there were none of these problems. Maybe we should invade your country to bring you guys 'freedom and democracy'?
The US government should take responsibility for this farce and invest in effective voting facilities (not just electronic voting machines that malfunction even after they've apparently been calibrated). Consider that here in Australia voting is compulsory and we never have to wait in line for more than half an hour.
BoxCubeSquare, you miss the point Rachel is making. She's not saying that long lines are the same as taxes, merely that both exclude voters who can't afford the "cost" of voting.
This is despicable. States should have anticipated a record turnout because of historicness (if that's a word) of this election. It is insane that they don't turn election day into a holiday. Or how about voting on a weekend?
I already told my teacher that I may not be in school because I will be voting. Unfortunately, there are lots of people who can't afford to tell their bosses I will not be at work because I going to vote.
More states should do vote by mail, there's no more of this shit and you don't even need to leave home.
KernsTheAntiGoth 2 years ago
I agree that having to wait is bogus, but she's right, it's a nice problem to have in theory-so many people voting that there is a wait.
psychopicasso 2 years ago
Obama will kill America.
RepublicanStuff 2 years ago
Damn! That's bogus! That poll tax has got to come to an end!
jbzhummerh2gamer 3 years ago
If you waited then Thank-You!! I voted for Obama!! I will believe!
Mychaels 3 years ago
This is why Republicans have waged an effort to encourage their base to vote absentee. This is why early voting is so important. Places like Pennsylvania, an important state, has NO EARLY voting. As a result, it will lead to chaos on the one day they've allotted for voting. Long lines are ridiculous! Early voting helps relieve some of the pressure but it really is ridiculous to have wait more than 2 hours to vote in our country.
mysteryegg 3 years ago
I love this woman!
UnderseaCaveman 3 years ago 2
Rachel Maddow is brilliant.
dbmcvey 3 years ago 4
Election day should be a "National Day Off From Work"
Dabipster 3 years ago 4
Agreed. It should be a paid day off for anyone working full time, and a half-day with pay for anyone working part time on that day.
punkzanyj 3 years ago
Good luck, America.
crumbinator 3 years ago 2
Parents with small children, waiting in line for hours -- that's a recipe for problems also.
And are there "sanitary facilities" that can be used without giving up your spot, as you stand in line for hours?
cvirtue 3 years ago 3
she is inspiring....
anilantony1234 3 years ago 3
Is this basically her first special comment? I like it.
wishcoats 3 years ago 3
Fuck i didnt vote early.
StephinRazin 3 years ago
I AM in Broward County - I got very lucky, I only waited a little over an hour - but worth mentioning, we have so many things on the ballot including multiple amendments, judges, sheriff, et cetera - the ballot was FOUR PAGES LONG, FRONT AND BACK. When people finally get in, it is taking many people as long as ten minutes or more to get through the whole stinking thing. That's another reason the lines are so blasted long.
MichaeleL3 3 years ago 3
This is just wrong, why is it that all the other democracies can organse a relatively quick ballot but the richest & most powerful country cannot?
That in the bastion of democracy Voting is hindered to a point of restriction.
When you can spend $10 Billion a month spreading democracy/freedom but cannot afford to hire extra poll workers something stinks.
xdir 3 years ago 5
Seriously...in many other democratic nations, election day is a national holiday! WHY NOT HERE IN GOOD OLD USA?!
phoenixatom 3 years ago 12
In Belgium it is on a sunday.
And it is mandatory to vote, if you do not vote then you have to pay a fine!
So we have a 99% turnout (but also about 10% blank votes)
BelgianAtheist 3 years ago
rachel is a goddess, this is so awesome and frightening and inspiring.
classymotherfuckers 3 years ago 6
I voted early this last Thursday, and the wait was one hour and thirty minutes. I wonder if this could have been solved by the opening of extra early voting sites, especially in urban areas.
Tobimar 3 years ago 3
honey, i am leaving my house at 5:30 to vote. If I have to stay late at work, who cares. Im staying my ass in line and voting.
Girlforaction 3 years ago 3
I differed my uni studies to help Obama's campaign in Virginia. Its up 2 all of us to insure every American voter get the chance and its COUNTED!
hippieCy08 3 years ago 3
Christ Jesus! It only took me 15 minuets to vote early. Then again, I live in rural Georgia.
TheUndeadLawyer 3 years ago
Rachel is a real patriot.
WhyNotTruth 3 years ago 11
i early voted and the entire process, from waiting in line to the printed backup of my vote, only took 15 minutes.
i suspect in the future it'll go quicker with (rfid-embedded/smart-card/magnetic-stripe) National ID cards, and perhaps voting at any ATM
mamazma 3 years ago
But do you live in a battleground state?
WhyNotTruth 3 years ago
IF you haven't voted yet, CALL IN SICK on Tuesday!!!!!!
Scoppertop 3 years ago 5
In Australia, ALL citizens are required to vote -- the US should adopt that law and the presidential ballot should NOT include anything but voting for the president. The senate/congress and other initiatives should be separate voting days.
Scoppertop 3 years ago
I'd love to have the US make our election day a national holiday. Or at least hold the election day on a weekend. Having it on the day made sense in the past, when our country was a largely agrarian society. Now it is an embarrassment.
Tobimar 3 years ago 4
We should have an election week were it is requiered that all services except the essential ones shut down till every one votes.
theroomunderground 3 years ago
I'll bet the lines at hard core Republican districts will be short and sweet. Just more voter manipulation brought to you by overt RepugnantCON vote rigging and outright manipulation. They are so sure of themselves they don't even try to disguise it anymore. They feel they are seated in inscrutable seats of power, insulated from all repercussions of illegal actions by political connections and ungodly accumulations of ill gotten wealth. Damn them all.
Plutonwolf 3 years ago 9
I am more impressed with rachel, her skills as a reporter and commentator and her dedication to her job and to her country, every time i see her.
fretlessbass26 3 years ago 13
Go Rachel! She's the only one who focuses on that. It's important to change our election process big time.
rainsan 3 years ago 10
we should make election day a national holiday
kcp12304 3 years ago 9
i agree.
fretlessbass26 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Kind of misleading. Long lines shouldn't be equated or even compared with real poll taxes.
No one's is really to blame, though I recognize the problem.
BoxCubeSquare 3 years ago
"No one's is really to blame, though I recognize the problem."
We just had a federal election here in Canada and there were none of these problems. Maybe we should invade your country to bring you guys 'freedom and democracy'?
UnionStayshyn 3 years ago 5
The US government should take responsibility for this farce and invest in effective voting facilities (not just electronic voting machines that malfunction even after they've apparently been calibrated). Consider that here in Australia voting is compulsory and we never have to wait in line for more than half an hour.
BoxCubeSquare, you miss the point Rachel is making. She's not saying that long lines are the same as taxes, merely that both exclude voters who can't afford the "cost" of voting.
5nick3r5 3 years ago 3
This is despicable. States should have anticipated a record turnout because of historicness (if that's a word) of this election. It is insane that they don't turn election day into a holiday. Or how about voting on a weekend?
I already told my teacher that I may not be in school because I will be voting. Unfortunately, there are lots of people who can't afford to tell their bosses I will not be at work because I going to vote.
hollyhoodjoe123 3 years ago 7
Rachel speaks the truth. This is a horrible situation. I can't even vote because of this. Good going, long lines.
LeoKinoske 3 years ago 10
What is wrong with America?
Why is so hard to make a voting system that works?
RZetlin 3 years ago 8