If you’ve been following my blog, you know that voting in the primary was not the highlight of my life. I broke the machine, I went to the wrong venue, and it seemed like all hope was lost. I don’t even know if my vote was counted! For a full account… check out my blog from May:
http://think.mtv.com/044FDFFFF00989F1700080098F658/User/Blog/BlogPostDetail.aspx
Voting today, Election Day, wasn’t nearly as rough… well, as far as actually casting my ballot goes. This time I checked online at https://cdcbp.ky.gov/VICWeb/index.jsp
to make sure I was going to the right venue. There wasn’t a massive live when I arrived, which was nice, and I was able to vote on a brand new voting machine. When I was done it politely said “Your Vote Has Been Counted”. It was reassuring.
So, voting itself went smoothly, but trying to vlog has not. I went to three polling venues near the University of Kentucky’s campus, and was promptly escorted away from two. I suppose that is what I get for waving around a video camera and being extra friendly. However, the powers-that-be weren’t able to rip me from their turf before I got to speak with Sarah and Matt from Lexington about their adoration for Obama. You can check out their thoughts here:
http://think.mtv.com/044FDFFFF00989F17001700995205/
Anyway, I went to my first polling venue and was excited to see a huge line. Hooray for early voters… ones that are willing to stand outside at 7am to cast their vote! I whipped out my camera to talk to some folks about their vote when a volunteer whisked me away. The woman said she was well aware that I was 300 feet away from the venue (just like the sign said) but I was making people feel uncomfortable. She was sincere enough so I went on my way, trying to think about how I had intimidated a crowd. I hadn’t even said anything yet, and I had barely gotten out of my car.
I counted that venue as loss, and promptly moved on. Good thing there are lots of polling places in Lexington! Next I stopped on the University of Kentucky’s campus… and this is where things got interesting.
I chatted with some students and first-time voters while they waited in line, and asked them for an interview. They said yes (of course, because I am not scary), but as soon as I pulled out my little silver camera, campus police approached me. One of the security fellows tugged on my arm to get me to leave the area. I told him that I was clearly 300 feet away from the venue, and he still tugged on my arm to make me leave. Apparently there was no talking to this guy. I walked away defeated, and decided to go to MY venue to cast MY vote, and at least go to one polling place where I knew I wouldn’t be kicked out of.
Long story short, it is good to know that volunteers and polling authorities take their job seriously. They’re working hard to nix electioneering and trying harder to keep your vote private. So go out and enjoy exercising your rights as a US citizen today… and with the help of volunteers it can be a very private and personal experience!