Waited about 50 minutes at my early polling place, the Naperville Municipal Center.
It’s one of 15 early polling sites in my county, Dupage in Illinois, a part of suburban Chicago. County population is about 900,000. A poll worker said they’ve seen about 10,000 early voters at just that location since Oct. 13.
The county is using Diebold machines. Each operates independently—not hooked up to any server. Storage cards will be removed on Nov. 4 at poll closing time for the state, and added to the election day totals. (I asked a lot of questions.)
I was worried about minor identity mismatches. I filled out an “application to vote,” a half sheet of paper required so there was something to sign since they don’t have the big rolls available during early voting. Not sure if my voter registration included my middle name, I asterisked the space where I printed my name and mentioned in a footnote that sometimes I omit the middle initial. Turns out I had registered to vote without including the initial, and it didn’t matter; they allowed me to scribble it out on the form, since the signature, photo and birthdate all checked out.
I don’t remember having to show ID when I’ve voted before. It must be something new. Also don’t recall ever seeing a “No cell phones” sign before.
I saw a lot of happy faces in line. It seemed odd for a public place full of strangers. I don’t think I’m projecting but their mood seemed to reflect my own—kind of an excited anticipatory feeling, the way you feel when you’re keeping a birthday surprise. Of course, there were some resentful faces in the crowd, and they were attached to bodies that tended to be older, sleeker and better-dressed. Draw your own conclusions.
