So, yesterday was my first time voting in Pennsylvania. Those of you who have known me for a while know that I value my right – and my duty – to vote, and to be part of our democratic process.
In case some of you are curious about whether or not voting is different in PA than in CA, I did notice a few differences.
First, I registered to vote at PennDOT (PA equivalent of the DMV) when I got my new driver’s license. There were a few questions on the computer at the end of the process, and it was very easily done. Less than a week later, I received my confirmation postcard, which many of you saw me post on FB.
After that, I received… pretty much nothing. I became aware of the election from commercials on TV and friends on Facebook. A few well-placed private messages gained me some key links — where to verify my voting registration status, how to locate my polling place, etc. (Thanks, Allie Cat!) I took a screen shot of the address for my polling location, for easy access on Tuesday.
On Tuesday morning, I got up, dressed, and went downstairs. Even before having breakfast, Edmond suggested he take me over to vote (he apparently did NOT register to vote when he got his driver’s license – at least, the website could not find it. Paperwork has since been submitted). So, off we went.
My polling place was at a local government office. Keep in mind, now, that I now live in a rural area (population < 9,000). Unlike CA, PA is made up of cities, boroughs, townships, each respectively smaller than the other (here are some fun facts about cities, boroughs and townships, in case you’re curious). This impacts how the local government is management, and, I’m sure, voting district lines. At any rate, the polling location was easy to find, as we found ourselves following behind three other cars going to the same location (this rarely happens).
My first impression was the visual. All of the lawn signs with candidate names were plastered across the front of the building. I’ve always had the impression this was not allowed in CA, as I’ve never seen so many signs in one place. My polling locations have always been void of any propaganda, the only markers signifying that it was a polling location being red, white, and blue bunting or American flags outside of the entrance.In this case, the signs overlapped each other and carried all the way across the building.
(This, of course, is where there should be a full color photo of the polling location with all of the signs. It didn’t occur to me at the time to take a photo.)
As I walked into the foyer, I was greeted and asked if I wanted a Sample Ballot. Yes, I did! I had not received one in the mail, and wanted to review my options. Now, here’s where there’s a big difference. In CA, a “Sample Ballot” is provided to every voter. It includes every measure, election, etc., and a brief summary of either the issue or the person’s qualifications.The sample ballot handed to me was on a half-sheet of colored paper, and it consisted of a table with the issue/position, and the expected vote.
I then learned that this was the Republican ballot. As I am registered “No Political Affiliation,” I asked for both. The lady on the opposite side of the foyer (6 feet away) had the Democratic sample ballot. Both ladies were able to tell me who and what the “party” was supposed to vote for, and why.
This was helpful to me, as a first time voter who had not been receiving information. But again, this is one of the big differences. In CA, this would not have happened – at least, not in any of the voting experiences I have ever had. By the time you reach the polling location in CA, you are expected to have all of the information you need, and no further influence is allowed. I have always valued that, as I have always received my information and been well-prepared to vote. As there was not a long line, this seemed to work. There was a door separating these women from the people who were inside, voting.
I went inside, now armed with the information I needed. Since I live in a borough, the polling location served more than one voting district, and so I first had to identify which side of the room I should be in. There was a map, with district lines drawn. Blooming Glen III for me, right side of the room. Voter check-in is much the same – same books, found my name, show ID (as a first time voter in PA, there was a flag next to my name indicating that I needed to show my ID), sign my name. No ballot was handed to me. This was new. I’ve always had a ballot handed to me, which I then take to a tall table with curtains for privacy. There, I either punch (remember chads?), or draw arrows, or do whatever is needed to indicate my vote. When done, I take my completed ballot back up to the table and insert it into a machine, which reads and tabulates the vote.
Here, the voting process was more computerized. Being dependent upon technology is always an “iffy” thing, and sure enough, out of the two booths that were set up for Blooming Glen III voting district side, only one was functioning. So, a little bit of a line. This was good, as I needed to be educated, and said so. There was a ballot taped to the wall. The monitor explained to me that when I went into the booth, the ballot would be on a screen with a light behind it. Each of the voting options would be indicated, and to vote, I just press the smaller box next to the person/option that I would vote for. The selected choice would then show a red light. At the end, press the large green VOTE button to submit.
Then it was my turn. I walked into the large voting booth – much larger than the tiny stands I was accustomed to in CA – and closed the curtains. The monitor pressed a switch (or something) on the side, and the ballot lit up. The ballot was about as simple as it could get – issue or position name at the left, Democrat candidates in the second column, Republican candidates in the third column, and Green Party in the far right column. There was even an option to press a single button to vote the entire party line, which would immediately light up every option under the party column. I read the options, pressed the boxes, verified the little red lights, and pressed the VOTE button. No pencils or pens required, no staying within lines, no hanging chads. It was nice and easy.
As I walked out, I received my “I voted” sticker. It was easily 6 times as large as the teeny sticker I always got in CA. I guess when there are only a few thousand voters, the district can splurge a little.
My overall impressions? Both Surprised and Impressed
Surprise – at the amount of last minute influence that is allowed. It was helpful to me in this situation, so I can’t say it was all bad, but I had relatively small issues to vote for. I can see how pressure could be applied to larger crowds where lines are long, and issues are more critical. I prefer the stark, pressure-free environment.
Impressed – by the technology. Although I prefer the more informative layout of a California ballot, the technology made it easy to select my votes and submit. I’ve always thought California could do better, from a technology standpoint. Then again, I’ve always been in more heavily populated areas, which may influence the choice of technology.
I did ask about whether information was typically sent out, and was assured that LOTS of information was sent out. In hindsight, I was asking party representatives, and I am registered No Affiliation. So, it seems I need to do some more digging into what is sent to those who are not affiliated with a specific party. It seems this group may be overlooked.
Having finished my workout, I exited the locker room and headed toward the fitness center lobby to wait for Ed. Another member was leaving and saying goodbye to his friends at the front desk when we noticed the enormous rain drops hitting the pavement.
We walked slowly toward our car, grinning. When we reached the car, we continued beyond it to the empty space and meandered around, enjoying the moments, since we knew it would slow and stop very soon. Rain doesn’t last long in Simi Valley. We moved out of the way as a car entered the lot and made its way to a clear space. The driver shook his head at the two crazy people standing in the rain, exited the car, and ran toward the safety of the building.