6 hours of my life

[Miami101]

It was the 1st time in my life I voted. I hope it was not a waste of time.

We have a long road ahead of us in the US.

[shrink]

It was the 1st time in my life I voted. I hope it was not a waste of time.

Congratulations! And no, your vote wasn't wasted. Obama carried Florida.

Did the guy holding you and the sign vote, too?

[Colt45]

Carlos, I'm glad you participated.

But don't get your hopes up - the new president is just another politician -

as polarizing as any before him, and that will come after him.

[El Presidente]

The beauty is the Partcipation in the process.........Congrats Carlos!

[Ginseng]

Congratulations! Seldom does one get the chance to feel like he is making his voice heard than when voting.

Lines in Delaware were considerably shorter. I walked in, got checked, and voted right away. Didn't take away from the historic significance of this election though.

Wilkey

[Fatshotbud]

Good for you - six hours???? Wow that is some dedication on your part!

[SethG]

Congratulations, Obama has shown his appreciation and we all should that a country like this exists that a superior candidate can be elected beyond the color of his skin and the prejudices of a large part of our population. We all can be proud.

I hope that you remember that moment and remember it in pride should he do well and also to be honest about the choice you made in the event he should fail or prove dishonest. There's nothing worse than people who deny who they voted for or cast off their fervor like an old prom dress the morning after. You'd be surprised how many people denied they'd ever voted for Carter.

A lot of people seem to use our voting system like a condom...

[aavkk]

No it certainly wasnt a waste Carlos. You could have at least changed his diaper though while you were waiting. Man he looks like he dropped the kids off at the pool in a serious way. Cute kid though, he will be a charmer.

It was the 1st time in my life I voted. I hope it was not a waste of time.

We have a long road ahead of us in the US.

[dizedean]

Be proud.

Every vote counts.

And earlier this week you got to see another part of what makes our country great.

The peaceful and orderly transfer of power.

[genevapics]

Nothing like voting in a presidential election. Wonderful picture of you and your son.

[Professor Twain]

Great picture my friend. One day when Barack Obama has made a mark on the world, and saved the US economy and improved our stature in the world, in a way comparable to that made by FD Roosevelt, you will be PROUD to have this picture.

I really think we will see something different from this guy.

[bobarian81]

Congratulations on participating in your first election.

Your vote always counts and you never know but it might be the difference maker someday. In the city next to us, Vallejo, CA. population over 110k. The last mayor's election was decided by three votes.

[roughrider]

Congratulations.

[habanablue]

further to your waiting in line for 6 hours Miami, I have a question that other American members of the Fourm may be able to answer.

Why does it take so long for you guys to vote? Down here we stand in line for about 10 minutes, get our name ticked off, get handed the ballot paper, tick some boxes (often wihtout looking, especially if it's local council elections) and walk out.

Is there a lack of polling booths? Pretty much every public School or town hall doubles as a polling station in Oz.

Thanks for any insight provided.

[Guest rob]

I've heard its to put people off from getting out to vote. The more of an inconvenience it is the less likely people are going to go out and do it..

only speculation of course.

[Colt45]

Why does it take so long for you guys to vote?

The same reason there are traffic jams - too many people at the same time.

[KB24]

I think it's a combo of not enough polling places, everyone going at the same time (lunch time, first thing in the morning, and after work), un-organization, and the fact that the whole country needs to get their vote in before a certain time of day. We do have the option to vote through mail which I will be doing from now on. But I think people like the idea of getting out to vote opposed to just sending it in the mail. Just my thoughts.

-Patrick

[habanablue]

Thanks for the insight. Further to that though, you guys vote on a Tuesday. I always thought it was weird that you have to vote and stand in line (for up to 6 hours) when you are meant to be working...whereas we vote on a saturday and most don't have work to interrupt the voting process.

[Habanos2000]

Carlos, I'm glad you participated.

But don't get your hopes up - the new president is just another politician -

as polarizing as any before him, and that will come after him.

But don't you wish for once that would change? While I didn't vote for him, everything he's said so far has impressed me. Got my fingers crossed that something works out for the people!

[Hangfire]

RE: The wait time for voting. You must remember that the actual polling places and the processes are a local responsibility so the experience will be different in different places. Certain parts of Florida for example are famous (infamous?) for screwing the pooch in any number of ways.

Here, where I live, just outside New Haven, Connecticut, I was on line for all of 5 minutes. I voted over lunch and still had time for lunch and to get back to the office. Being new to the area, it took me longer to find the bloody place than to actually vote.