Cafferty File: How Long Are You Willing To Wait To Vote?

From the Cafferty File.
http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/03/how-long-are-you-willing-to-wait...

The prescription for tomorrow is comfortable shoes and patience. Its going to be awesome.

Never in recent memory has there been so much interest in a presidential election. More than one-third of Americans are expected to have already voted by the time the polls open tomorrow, a 50 percent increase from 2004. But that doesnt mean there wont be a lot of people in front of you in front of you in line when you get to the polls.

Young people have signed up in unprecedented numbers. New voter registrations have broken records in almost every state. Turnout in many of the primaries was staggering. So be prepared.

Be aware also that tomorrow is a chance for all of us to strike a blow for democracy, and God knows she could use a shot in the arm. Were at our best as a nation when were all involved. But that involvement tomorrow will come with a price. Youre probably going to have to wait. Maybe for a long time.

While youre standing there grumbling that the line isnt moving, or the machine is broken, remember what it was that got you into that line in the first place. This may well be the most important election weve ever had.

Heres my question to you: How long are you willing to wait in line to vote?

Interested to know which ones made it on air?


Michelle from New Hampshire writes:
I am prepared and willing to wait all day. I have cleared my calendar to make sure I can spend the whole day. And the time I dont spend waiting or voting, I will spend poll watching and holding signs. This is far too important not to make a personal sacrifice to make sure my vote counts. And, as an Army wife, one day of work loss is meaningless compared to the days my husband has and will spend on deployment. To all within the sound of your voice: Get out and vote!

LaShunda from Mobile, Alabama writes:
I am seven months pregnant and standing for long periods of time hurts my back tremendously, but in spite of my pain I plan on standing in line as long as it takes to exercise my right to vote, especially when those before me endured even greater hardships to have this right.

Bill from San Diego, California writes:
I appreciate the question, but if anyone honestly thinks that the wait is not worth it even if its all day, think about all of the people in places who cant vote. Think about the people who have fought for voting rights. Remember that blacks and women were not allowed to vote not that long ago.

Patrick writes:
Not longer than about thirty hours.

Dawn from Florida writes:
My husband and I waited 2 1/2 hours here in Miami to vote early. About 1 hour into the wait, my husband started getting antsy and wanted me to remind him why we were wasting our time. I just looked at him and said George W. Bush. That did the trick!

Kim writes:
All day if I have to, but Ill have my 3- and 4-year-olds with me. They may think differently. What a great opportunity to live by example. Never give up.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Jack
• Cafferty
• File
• How
• Long
• Are
• You
• Willing
• To
• Wait
• Vote

[diginando]

Have a great Democratic day, friends. Whichever way you vote.

From one of your friends in Canada

[homerilias]

Germany, yahoo internet poll:

86% for Obama

8% for McCain

6& undecided

[getabrainasshole]

people are eating their stupidity.........wonder if jack is the collin powel of cnn??

[Rosetteismyname]

i am black barack obama is half white. I don't like obama nor mcCain...it is lose/lose

[Rosetteismyname]

I had no line to vote when I voted early. As oppose to absentee ballots, that is NO LINE whatsoever. You can get on the internet and research the candidates. You don't have to wait to vote...if you wait in order to vote, that is your choice.

[Rosetteismyname]

"voting is for chumps"

any time you think you don't earn enough money. Anytime you think that a product is too expensive. Anytime you have any complaint about your life or your childs, nephews, nieces life,--- just remember that 'voting is for chumps'

[NotSoOldHippy]

Voting is for chumps.

[DELLBIRD]

Why are all heathr456's recent videos rated so poorly (at 2 1/2 stars)?

[myfingerisup]

IN OREGON:

NO LINES, NO BROKEN MACHINES, NO TIME OFF WORK, NO VOTER INTIMIDATION, NO VOTE FLIPPING, NO DEALING W/ BAD WEATHER, NO REPUBLICANS CHALLENGING YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE, NO INSUFFICIENT IDs, NO "HANGING CHADS", NO CONFUSION ON HOW TO USE A BALLOT, NO PRECINCT CONFUSION...

WHY? OUR BALLOTS ARE MAILED WEEKS AHEAD OF TIME AND WE STUDY THE ISSUES AND IDIOTS AT OUR LEISURE WHILE FILLING OUT THE BALLOT, THEN JUST SEND IT IN B4 THE 4TH. NO MUSS! NO FUSS!

THEN WE WATCH TV AND WONDER- WHAT THE_____?!

[dbmcvey]

I got to the poll at about 6:50 this morning in Los Angeles and had to wait a little more than an hour in line--but it was great. I got to talk to a lot of people from my neighborhood I didn't know and even ran into a co-worker I hadn't seen in over 15 years. Wait in line if you have to--it's so worth it.

[armatus99]

the world is watching you guys, i speak especially to the youth, make the world a better place!

[tommyc6066]

I just voted in Chicago and there was NO LINE!!

Walked in my polling place, signed in, got my ballot and voted. No waiting at all!!