Where ARE the rules? An Indiana Voting Experience
As a fairly new voter - this being my third voting experience and second Presidential voting experience, I was unaware of the “rule” that you are not permitted to wear attire of any kind that supports your candidate.
I’ve searched high and low and have yet to find the “rule” that applies to voters. What I have found is the rules as they apply to soliciting and exit polls citing the distance they must remain from the polling stations.
I make a habit to read everything - especially when it pertains to my vote and I’ve never received anything that states such a rule either.
Today I went to vote. When you walk in to sign in, you’re given a piece of paper that labels you Democrat or Republican. What does it matter if you’ve gone the step further to show your support? I just don’t get that?
Perhaps I would have taken the instruction a bit easier had the person who called me out NOT been a Democrat - had he NOT been a Republican in a county that’s dominated by Republicans and has only a handful of candidates running on the Democratic ticket — had he NOT been a friend of a side of the family I currently have conflict with and had he NOT treated me so poorly and made such a spectacle of my ignorance.
In a loud and controlling tone, the man informed me that I would have to “go to the restroom and turn my shirt wrong side out or leave the premises immediately.”
I looked at him, dumbfounded I’m sure and asked why I was not made aware of that rule? Where was that “rule” in all the voting material I’d received? Where was that “rule” on the voter registration website? Well, I’ve spend a great deal of time trying to find that “rule” and have yet to find anything on a rule as such that pertains to actual “voters” and not campaign volunteers, police or exit poll personnel.
I phoned my mother - she knew nothing of this “rule.” She phoned my aunt who knew of the rule had only heard it, never read it anywhere.
I’ve heard of several cases of this happening already in Indiana. Young voters are not aware of old rules and I think it’s time that our voter registration office realize that old unspoken rules aren’t always recognized by the upcoming generations.
I did phone the local county voter registration office in New Castle, Indiana - but it became painfully obvious that nothing was going to be done to reprimand or even instruct a Republican Clerk to act in any other way. I told the guy I realized nothing would be done and told him to forget my call - I’d be calling the state offices to report my experience.
I did!
After that I phoned the Hillary Clinton Indiana Headquarters. I gave them my story - the verified that such a “rule” does exist but could not tell me where to find this “rule.” Once they took my information, they phoned back a bit later and gave me a number for an office in Arlington, Virginia that tracks harassments and voting issues to see if these are isolated cases or if there’s a trend.
I do hope they are able to recognize the trend of domineering Republicans in Henry County. It’s easy to see why my grandfather always took such issue with Republicans when I was growing up.
In case you are wondering, I did turn my shirt wrong side out. I cast my vote and then when I got in my truck, I took my shirt off - in front of God and everybody and turned it right side out.
I guess when it comes to my political stance, I do take things a little too seriously. But when you’ve been through the hell that my family has - during the current administration - your blood pressure is bound to wager on the high side.
I’m so sick of the strong-arming of area Republicans because they vote purely on the abortion issue. It doesn’t matter what damage a candidate causes to the U.S. so long as they don’t believe in abortion.
Good position huh?
Not taking chances with my vote
With having moved since the last election and watching just how important the Indiana primary is becoming, I took a couple of minutes to call my county voter registration office to confirm I had done everything necessary to make sure my vote counts.
If you are in Indiana and have any questions at all about your eligibility to vote, you can find your county office numbers, make a quick call to make sure.
Don’t waste your vote!
And when pondering your vote, consider the candidates — Seriously consider them!
Are you bitter?
Is there a difference between Patriotism and Trivial?
Will you vote for a candidate that won’t sing the anthem? Who won’t say the pledge? or who won’t wear an American Flag pen? - Because they are all trivial.
That’s not rumor folks, that was his words, from his mouth in an interview within the last couple of weeks.
Will you vote like the bitter person one candidate thinks you are?
Or will you vote for someone who is familiar?
You decide.
Tonight’s the night we make history…in Indiana
Earlier today, my three boys and I set out on an adventure that would take us to a place that’s both monumental and historical in many ways.
The boys and I stood in line for 3 hours to see Hillary Clinton and Evan Bayh in Anderson Indiana. While we waited in line, we had some serious quality time to discuss the election, the fact that this campaign is so historical, issues that are important to us as a family and the candidates position on those issues.
We discussed the recent disappointing issues that have come to light over Barack Obama and his former minister, how we felt about his response to the racist remarks and while we may be left leaning, we did discuss McCain for a short time too.
As we got closer to the Wigwam entrance, I turned around to look at the line that was growing behind us. It was amazing to me, the number of people who came out to see Hillary and hear what she had to say. Actually being there felt almost surreal. Here we were in a town that used to thrive because of the money that was generated from the auto industry and the many factories that once employed thousands. To look around now, all that remains are wounded shells of what appears to have been beautiful, upper middle class homes. If you look closely at the photos, you’ll see some of those in the background.
As my feet carried me closer to the door, the chills spread up and down my arms and the lump in my throat grew. For the first time in my life, I felt a part of something much bigger then anything I’d imagined. I looked around and saw an abundance of simple, humble folks who are obviously hardworking and so many like me who were waiting in line to show their support for the candidate that’s providing us with the hope and promise of a more safe and secure future.
When I left that rally, I walked out with the sense of purpose. While I may not be entirely pleased with one candidate, one thing I do find the most comforting at such a crucial point in our life and in our economy is we know what Hillary is like. We watched her for 8 years while Bill was in the White House. We know what to anticipate and what to expect. With Barack Obama, we’ve nothing to go on. We’ve no history to track really.
At a time when, as a country, we are in such crisis - we don’t need to be taking chances on what might be nothing more than an empty promise.
I’ve been a long time fan of Senator Evan Bayh and would like nothing more then to see him tapped as the running mate of Hillary. While no commitments were made today, there was a true feeling of partnership - of collaboration - of effort and of hope.
I hope that everyone who reads this will take the time to register to vote and to actually get out and cast their vote!
The boys and I are now looking forward to working as Hillary Clinton campaign volunteers on Saturday morning. We’re going to do some canvassing in hopes of encouraging more to get out there and vote!
Now we’d like to share a few pictures with you from our rally participation earlier today.
The photo above is looking toward the line that was formed in front of us.
This is a photo of Coty, Trey and Denton weathering the cold. You can see the line between Coty and Trey’s shoulders.
Loads of supporters with Hillary signs. They were fired up, excited and full of hope!
This is the security check point we had to go through to get into the rally.
This is one side of the three sides that were filled with supporters.
The kids just down and to your right of the post are holding signs that say Bayh for Vice
Bet you can’t guess where this supporter is from?
Light blue shirt/red tie is Evan Bayh and just to the right of him is Hillary in the bright blue.
A close up
The lady in the light colored shirt lost her job and her home when the auto industry left Anderson.
The kids captured this one - it’s a little blurry but I do like it!
This is Evan and Hillary with hands locked in a manner that just screams success and celebration.
That’s about all I have for now. I’m really wiped out and crashing from such an amazing natural high all day.
I’m sure I’ll have plenty more to say as the memories of today set in!
John McCain off the ballot in Indiana?
We can only hope!
Hoosier blogger Thomas Cook from Blue Indiana may have uncovered a bit of information that could post a significant impact on the presidential election. In Indiana, a candidate has to get 500 signatures from each congressional district to qualify for the ballot. It appears that McCain is 9 signatures short in one district. Republican Governor Mitch Daniels is the chair for McCain’s campaign in Indiana.
I wonder if McCain will ditch Mitch too?
Tags: john mccain, indiana, elections, presidential candidates
My vote is up for grabs - who will win it?
To be honest, I’m a registered liberal but at this point, I could honestly go either way. There are some things I like, some I don’t and some I’d vote for just to keep another out.
I’ve not gone through Vote-Smart just yet and haven’t dug deep into the issues - I’ve only paid close attention to the issues that matter most to me - things like Health care, economy and immigration.
I don’t want another Clinton or Bush in the White House - I think it’s time for a change! New blood, Please!
I’m not confident Obama is up to the task and I know from experience that regardless of how much I like Edwards and have seen first hand what he did in North Carolina, that’s not a real possibility.
I do like Rudy - but it’s not looking so good for him these days.
McCain is an absolute NOT. I think the man is a ticking time bomb and Thompson needs to keep his expertise behind the funky chimes of Law and Order.
That leaves Mitt or Mike - And growing up with a family from the deep south, waist high in the Bible belt, I’m a little afraid of the idea of a Southern Baptist having control over the country.
Mitt my man, right now it’s looking like you dude! Do you have what it takes to win my vote?
If not, I’ll have to give my vote to John Edwards just because I just can’t bring myself to give it to Hillary or Obama.
But, it’s still up for grabs nonetheless.
Do you have words of wisdom that might help me decide? Links? Records? Anything?
Tags: presidential candidates, hillary clinton, barack obama, mitt romney, john mccain, fred thompson, mike huckebee, election, healthcare, immigration, economy
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