toledoblade.com -- Election Day Chitchat

Are you ready to cast your voice twice on November 2?

Stop at your local polling station and vote in this all-important presidental election, and then drop us a line to share with The Blade and toledoblade.com.

We plan to open our chitchat forum all day and through the evening on Nov. 2. Let us know how packed your local poll was (or not). Where there any oddities, protests, or malfunctions at the polling site? Any uplifting or disappointing events from this day to share with readers?

Toledo, Ohio I had to do a provisional ballot today, and the poll workers weren't even sure that was correct, and then seemed confused on the process for having me fill one out. Ultimately, they were fairly rude and it was obvious they were grossly untrained.

Kevin Cesarz: (9:15 A.M. ET )Good morning. Our Election Day chitchat begins now. Have you voted yet? How are your local polling stations looking today?

Dave Friedman, Toledo (9:30 a.m.) The polls were insane this morning at 7:30... the parking lot of the school was overflowing... voters had to walk through rain and a gaunlet of information peddling volunteers and hand-shaking candidates just to get inside... the gym was packed full of people... there were 5 tables set up, each with lines of people winding around each other... it really was nearly impossible to find the beginning or end of any of the lines... every 4th person could be seen fanning themselves or wiping sweat from their brow... Election workers and monitor's could be overheard talking about how there were twice as many people as they expected... Despite these crazy conditions, though, nobody's patience seemed frayed. But then this was only 7:30 a.m... It could be a long day.. I just have this sneaking suspicion that such a high voter turn-out will not bode well for Mr. Bush. Good thing for the Republicans that a court ruled in favor of allowing voters to be challenged at the polls. Challenged at the polls? What, is this Pakistan or America?

Kevin Cesarz: (9:40 A.M. ET )I will be heading to the polls myself in a few minutes (Sylvania Township - Whiteford). Please be patient and I will begin posting your comments again when I return.
Also, let us know where your polling location is (city-school).

Kevin Cesarz: (11 A.M. ET ) I'm back. Voting was relatively painless in Sylvania Township. I checked in and voted in about 20 minutes at the Whiteford Elementary polling station.

(Sylvania, Ohio) Voting for Kerry gave me supreme pleasures. It was like the taste of chocolate or running through wildwood on a sunny fall day. Just think we may get a president who actually reads.

Mike (Dearborn, Mich.) VIVA BUSH BABY.....I had a very good voting day here in Michigan.

Wanda (Bryan, Ohio)If you have voted today, have you encountered many challengers at your voting polling station?

Connie M. (Toledo) My husband and I arrived at 7:15 at our polling site of Grace Lutheran Church on Monroe St., near the 1-475 west entrance. I knew we were in for a wait as soon as I pulled into the parking lot. Parking alone was an adventure. Trying to figure out which line to enter was a chore - they had a very small map of our area, and it was difficult to read. We waited in one line for 10 minutes, moving very slowly, when I decided to check the map again. Of course, we were in the wrong line. The upside was that the correct line we needed to be in was half a long as the one we were originally in. After sorting through all that, we waited about 30 minutes to vote. I'm glad that we decided to vote early - I can't imagine what the lines will be in the later afternoon and early evenings. One of my co-workers tried to vote, but she had to get her son to daycare and get herself to work on time. You would think that making election a national holiday would be easier on those of us who work. It's tough enough as it is trying to do 50 things at once.

Brian (Toledo)Turnout is lighter than expected. I walked right into my polling place and voted without waiting this morning at about 9:00 AM I was number 50. Democrats are dissuaded by rain, If they were motivated people by nature, they'd be Republicans.

Peter (Toledo) What is going on in Philly, can't the Democrats win legally instead of cheating?

Lynn (Clark County, Ohio) I've NEVER seen the polls as buy in the 37 years I've been voting. I spent 52 minutes in the rain but consider it a privilege to have voted for President Kerry.

Greg (Cocoa Beach, Fla) Four more years.

Matt (Toledo) I just got back from working a poll. Great turn out. Steady people in and out all morning. No challenges at the polling location that I was at.

Toledo-Masonic (7-F) My husband and I arrived at polling station @ 6:15 am...there were about 30 people ahead of us and about 30 behind us when we went in to vote...upon leaving, there were approximately 80 people in line (6:45 am)...things were smooth for the most part...if we can send men to the moon and rebuild Iraq, why can't we establish an efficient and accurate method of voting that will insure that the process is one of integrity and efficiency? By the way...has the principal gotten the voting machines out of his/her locked office at Glenwood School, yet???

Mindy (Eagle Point, Rossford) I was at the polls early this morning. I was able to get in line and only wait about an hour.The mood was good with most voters. We knew that we were going to wait. I woke up early today so I could have the pleasure of placing my vote. I am a younger voter and feel that it is my American privilege to support a new President. Good luck at the polls and be patient.

Nick (Toledo) The year is 2004 and I feel like our voting process is way behind times. There was no organization at my voting location today. People were standing in the wrong lines, the volunteers (though I appreciate them taking time out of their day) are clueless and make the process even more a mess! If they would just have a map as soon as you walk in with instructions on what line to get in, there would have been alot less confusion and if the people sitting at the table would actually move faster then a snail, we could get people in and out alot quicker.

Kevin Cesarz: (11:25 A.M. ET ) Thanks so far, voters. Please be specific when describing your polling location (city, state, school).
Sounds so far like most polls are busy in Ohio despite the rain.

Joaquin Trevino Yes, this is the most negative campaign I have ever seen. It`s pretty bad that politicians will do and say anything to get elected regardless of our men and women in harms way. Some politicians have aided the enemy by their comments and remarks and they stand up there asking us to vote for them! I believe that this is a sad day in American History no matter who wins,
because (politicians) have lied, stretched the truth,and double talked just to get elected, they even have the gull to treat us (when they talk to us) as ignorant people. (Blade edit for length)

Kevin Cesarz: (11:32 A.M. ET ) Please, voters. Try to keep your posts brief and to the point.

Anne S. (New York, NY -- but born and raised in Toledo! I've sent information about this chat site to many friends around the country who are anxious to hear what you Ohioans are doing, how it's going. We're watching and hoping you all have a pain-free experience, despite the weather.
"Like Father, Like Son...One Term and you're done!"
Looking forward to reading more responses from you!!

Toledo, Ohio) My very first election. Wow, does it feel good to have a voice in this world. Does everyone want to know who a 23 year old male voted for? I voted for the person who would stand up for Americans if anything were to happen to us again. Someone who I know would not let America be taken advantage of, George Bush!

Deborah Miller It was a pleasure casting my vote for our next president, John Kerry, looked like a big turnout so far at the polling booth. If you haven't voted yet I encourge you to get out and vote. America needs a change.America needs John Kerry!!

Lorraine (Sylvania Township) Rain seems to be a factor so far at my polls - It took longer to park than to vote.

Chris (Amherst, Ohio) Our polling station was packed at 7:10 a.m. I was already Number 71 just from our precinct. Just talked to my husband and he voted at 10:30 a.m. and he was #233. 4 more!

Justin (Toledo) I voted today at Cherry Elementary. It took me a one hour to vote. That was the best hour of my life. I'm a 28 year old African American male, I been voting since 1994. Out of my years of voting I never seen so many of my peers out to vote for the first time. Regardless of the outcome today it's good to see people like myself voting. Go Kerry.

Kevin Cesarz: (12:48 P.M. ET ) Great to hear so many positive voting experiences today. Keep the posts coming. Would love to hear from pollworkers, watchers, campaign workers.

Kelly Skinner I was appalled when I arrived home, my safe haven so I thought, to a horribly, mean spirited phone message from Ken Blackwell urging me to vote Yes to Marriage, Yes to Issue 1. This from the man who is suppose to be overseeing Ohio's election process. Friends and I have decided, come tomorrow we will begin the process to recall Ken Blackwell from his position, as well as doing whatever we can to ensure he is not elected Ohio's next governor.

Toledo (Ohio) Personally, I think Kerry will win. He's smart. Bush on the other hand has somethings against them that could get him into trouble. Why would anyone want a president that lied and stole ballots to win last election?

Liz A. (Toledo, Ohio) I voted the Rec Center Hall 2 in Maumee first thing this morning. I met a young woman who was voting in her first pres. election. she was in a hurry because her father needed to get to work and she to class. I let her vote ahead of me and was happy to do so. Glad to see a young person that excited about making her voice heard.

John (Toledo, Ohio) FOUR MORE. Kerry is a war criminal and will not protect the US.

Toledo, Ohio) First time voter in Lucas County. No trouble, however concerned about voter fraud issues I'm reading and hearing about, including long time registered voters being given provisional ballots - which don't count unless vote is close- please don't be misled, folks! Report voter fraud! God Bless America.

Sandra (Maumee, Ohio) My husband and I voted at about 7 a.m. There were a lot of people in line and the lot was full. It was pretty quiet inside (not enough coffee yet?) with folks lined up by precinct. This polling place was taking people from what would normally be three places, due to building closures. I think it went pretty well. We did not see any challengers in our suburban, mostly white middle class polling place. I was in line behind a young woman who was voting for the first time. That was good to see!

Bob (Toledo, Ohio) There were a lot of people at my poll, but there was hardly a line and it moved well. I just got back. I admit I did wait for the rain to subside, but I'm off today so I had all the time in the world. Go Kerry!

Kevin Cesarz: (1:35 A.M. ET ) Again, voters. Please give your hometown and polling site. We're all curious.

Amy (Toledo, Ohio) My husband and I arrived at our polling place (community center on Reynolds Rd.) at 6:20 this morning. It was very exciting to see so many (diverse) individuals out to vote first thing today. We were there about 45 minutes and did not see any voter challenges. There was one woman, however, who quietly moved around the polling area with a notepad watching all who came in. I'm saddened that I have become suspicious of people and things that in the past I wouldn't have noticied around voting. On the up side, I have never before felt that my vote was as important as this one. I am continually thankful that we all have the right to have a voice!

Pat (Toledo, Ohio) People were being told by one poll worker they could not bring in their personal notes to use as aids to vote. He called them "cheat sheets." Also the polling place was very disorganized (no one seemed to know the correct way to do things - people being told a variety of different ways. I felt like I was in a new nation with the first time election.

Dog (Sylvania, Ohio) At the legion post on Centennial at 6:00 A.M., was roughly the 30th in line. Could have been a little more smoothly set up with the precinct maps posted upon entry. When I was done by 6:45, the line extended roughly 100 deep out into the rain. Almost accidentally ran over a couple of Kerry supports on the way out. Did not vote for horsehead as I prefer the devil I know. Voted against all bogus tax proposals.

James (Perrysburg, Ohio) 4 more years! I had to take off my George Bush sticker, but I've seen John Kerry's daughter can wear a sticker supporting her father, But I cant wear one in the polling place in Perrysburg supporting Bush? Discrimination!

Kevin Cesarz: (2:36 P.M. ET ) Four hours and 20 minutes until most Eastern Time Zone polls close.

Brian (Toledo, Ohio) We also did not see any Republican challengers in our suburban, mostly white upper middle class polling place. Hmm...I wonder where all those 3,500 poll challengers were going to challenge voters? Is it possible that they were only sent to inner city or poor precincts to intimidate voters? I hope the Ohio GOP will give us a full accounting of the activities of their poll challengers.

Carole (Toledo, Ohio) I heard a rumor that one polling place in Toledo ran out of ballots, and that people were turned away. Sounds funny to me. Can anyone deny or confirm this?! GO KERRY GO! (I overheard someone say Gesu? However, I'm not sure of the source the rumor came from.)

Kevin Cesarz: (2:42 P.M. ET ) Where Carole?

Penny (Toledo, Ohio) Voted at Iron Workers Local #55. Took me about 20 minutes early this morning. 4 more years of lies? I think not! Go Kerry, Go!

Lee Moffitinoi I am 65 years old and have never hated a president of the United States until now. I have always voted for the man and not the party. For the people to vote because a family member has voted for a party is stupid My vote went for Kerry and not the nasty acting Bush. He has us in one heck of a mess. Thanks.

Jason (Springfield Township) I voted around 9:00 a.m. this morning at Dorr St. elementry, and everything went relativley smoothly. This is my second presidential election that I am able to vote in, and I feel as if it really matters to me now that I have graduated college and am in the "real world". I believe Bush will prevail, and will keep America safe here on the homeland, which is the most important issue of them all. Everyone complains about jobs, but if we are all dead what good are the jobs then? 4 more years!!! GO BUSH!!!!!!

The word from a Democratic President said once was "Ask NOT, what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your Country!" John F. Kennedy.

James C. (Perrysburg, Ohio) I vote on the person’s morals and standards, not on R's and D's... George Bush came into office with the Economy already slipping into a recession. We need a President with Biblical standards, on which this country was founded upon and to keep "God" in our country, This Country can only be led by God not by man. I respect everyone’s opinion here and will not lash back at anyone here. Thank you and GOD bless America.

Janet (Toledo, Ohio - Toledo Public Schools) I arrived at my polling place at Grace Lutheran Church on Monroe Street at 7:30 AM. It took about 30 minutes to vote. The poll workers were patient and helpful. I have never seen so many people there. Some lines were a lot longer than mine. I didn't notice any problems at all.

Mary (Ewa Beach, Hawaii) We are watching on the far side of the Pacific ocean. Wondering if you folks will be staying up late to watch us - we could end up being the last battleground state, depending on how things go on the mainland!

Andrew (Perrysburg, Ohio) Frank Elementary School was busy at 6:50 in the morning. Everyone seemed to be shocked by the turnout. About 40 minutes total.

Christin I was happy to wait in line for 45 minutes in Swanton to vote - it means people are taking this seriously and want change.

Angela (Toledo, Ohio) I have to say, if standing in line or having one extra person in the poll location would discourage you from voting, that is pathetic! People stand in line for hours for concert tickets or day-after-Thanksgiving store freebies. I am sick of hearing on the news how awful the long lines are. I voted for Bush, but I don't think it will matter. In Philadelphia, they had extra votes before the polls opened, in Columbus people went to vote to find someone already used their name, people are being bribed to vote, dead people voting, people voting even though the address they agve doesn't exist, Mary Poppins voting for crack, more people registered in counties than there are residents. The media won't tell you what the Bin Laden tape really says, or investigate memo-gate to see how high up it goes. This one is stolen, I'm afraid, and we'll all pay the price.

Scott M. (Norwalk, Ohio) I will be voting at 7 p.m. after work for GW

Tammy (Madisonville, TN) It's great to live in a country where we have the freedom to vote! Go George W.!!!!

Lynne Toledo, Ohio (old South end) Went to vote at 8 a.m. at the Arora Center, got right in & out in 10 minutes. Get that son of a Bush outta there!!

Bill B. Polls over near Southwyck weren't too bad early this morning. I see that they are going to allow absentee voters to vote, so make sure to get the word out. Remember to protect the Constitution today... boot John Ashcroft and his not-so-compassionate conservative boss out of office!

Shaun (Oregon, Ohio) My wife and I went to our poll in Oregon at 7:00 a.m. and we were both in and out in 10 mins. Went without a hitch. Thanks.

Dan (Toledo, Ohio) Thank god they did allow challengers in the polls to keep losers like Dave Friedman from trying to vote twice as Dick Tracy and others. Challengers have been allowed for over 64 years and now they throw a fit.

Phil (Toledo, Ohio) I love election day. What a privilege we have. Thank you to the poll workers for your efforts. Voting at Ottawa Hills High School was a breeze. I would like to say that voters should recognize that both candidates have the best interests of their country at heart, they simply have differing views on how to achieve this. The ignorant, negative diatribes should cease. May God Bless America!

Kevin Cesarz: (5:14 P.M. ET ) Exactly, Phil. What a privilege to share. Welcome all the newbies as well. There appear to be quite a few this election cycle.

Shannon (Iowa City, Iowa) From one swing state to another: Iowa has had a record pre-election day voter turnout (we can vote early and have absentee ballots) and the polls today are flooded with voters. Passions run deep in Iowa because people are angry at the Bush administration for lying to and neglecting Iowans. Our young people have been called to serve in Iraq in heavy numbers, we experienced many casualties, our farm economy is in a shambles,non-farm jobs are leaving the state in droves, and our elderly population is in a panic over no flu shots and bad health care -Kerry is going to win Iowa! We hope Ohio votes Kerry as well!

Robin (Toledo, Ohio) I voted this am around 8:30 at Burroughs Elementary. Glad to see the provisional ballots. I thought they were not going to be used. I was listed twice under two dates of birth. They let me vote but were noticeably confused by the double listing. I am pretty sure i only sent in one voter registration card and i know my b-day. Everything seemed to go well. the map was hard to read the the volunteers steered me to the right tables. I was mostly concerned with the voting machine counting my vote. I was 156. Go Kerry!

Pat (Maumee, Ohio) We voted at the Rec Center, Maumee early today. We arrived around 6:45 and were in line 45 minutes. We saw what we thought were "challengers" in dark suits walking around on their cell phones -- no coats or umbrellas, so they didn't look like voters. It was unnerving and made us feel uncomfortable. If they were there in official capacity, they needed to have official identification.

Emily (BGSU Student) I went to the KERRY rally last night, got home to my parents' house in Toledo at about 1:30 am. Woke up at 6 and was in line by 6:15 a.m. at Beverly Elementary school. When I arrived there were about 10 people ahead of me in line. At 6:30 there were at least 25 people behind me. If you haven't voted yet go do it!! Don't let the rain dissuade you. Yes For Kerry No For 1 & 4!!!!!

Sheletha (Atlanta, Georgia) It seems that the voting process in Ohio is grossly outdated and unorganized. Still voting with paper ballots? What's the deal with going to a polling place and then being separated by precinct? Did I read that wrong?

Jonah (Arkansas) I was able to vote today in my second election. I am 24 years old, and am watching and reading how much President Bush will win Ohio. Best part about all this is that Dem's and Rep's are all voting. God bless the Democratic process!

Val (Maumee, Ohio) No problems at all in Maumee. I was glad my precint did not utilize those "diebold" computers. I would have requested a provisional ballot or anything but those computers with no paper trails. Once I found out that the CEO of Diebold said that he was going to do his best to "hand Ohio to Bush", I decided I couldn't vote using those machines.

Kevin Cesarz: (5:30 P.M. ET ) Two hours until the polls close in Ohio; two hours and 30 minutes to remaining in Michigan.

Kevin Cesarz: (5:59 P.M. ET ) Also note toledoblade.com's online forums at Online forums

Melanie (Portland, Oregon) I grew up in Toledo & find it intriguing that Ohio is such a battleground AND that there seems to be a groundswell of Republican activisim there. Hasn't the turn in the economy indicated that there is something wrong with this administration? Do we not want a president who is smarter than we are? PLEASE, Ohio, come to your senses! John Kerry is not perfect, but he is not a draft dodger and he can speak without using a teleprompter.

Emily (BGSU, again) Right on Melanie! You couldn't have said it better!

JJ&AJ (Sylvania, Ohio) I'm pleased to report that the voting process went easily and quickly at Timberstone Jr High in Sylvania Township. I proudly voted for Libertarian candidate Michael Badnarik for president (my wife too!) I was going to vote Kerry, but I felt I was really voting against Bush and not Kerry until I visited http://lp.org and learned that a more sensible choice was out there. Libertarians believe the answer to America's political problems is the same commitment to freedom that earned America its greatness: a free-market economy and the abundance and prosperity it brings; a dedication to civil liberties and personal freedom that marks this country above all others; and a foreign policy of non-intervention, peace, and free trade as prescribed by America's founders.

Deborah Millern (Bowling Green, Ohio) I agree and we as voters have the power to make a change. The courts gave Bush the election 4 years ago and look what he's done. Its time for a change. Its time for John Kerry.

Casey (Toledo, Ohio) Voted around 10:30 a.m. at the Church on W. Central & Strauss Sts. Good turn out, a mix of younger and older voters. Hope they voted YES on 4. It is fair, even though the Blade doesn't think so. Long live Democracy!

J K (Whitehouse, Ohio) When will the politicians learn that weekend voting of three days would solve many problems of long lines. Also, rain, snow, and getting out voters. Some third-rated countries are doing it, and it works. Blade paper is one sided sorry to say.

Ryan (Toledo, Ohio) If Bush wins I am moving to Canada.

Kevin Cesarz: (10:40 P.M. ET ) Ohio with 32.8 percent of precincts reporting: Bush 50.66 percent, Kerry 46.54 percent.

Frank (Genoa, Ohio) I vote in Genoa-Clay Township. If you wnat to see how it's done. They never have any problems. Way to go.

Matt (Bluffton, Ohio) I am dismayed that the gay marriage ban has been so soundly defeated. I am surprised that Ohioans still hold such strongly homophobic feelings in this day and age.

Mike Voted in Toledo before getting on a plane to Florida. Wanting to know is any results announced for smoking issue.

Kevin Cesarz: (12:01 A.M. ET ) Lucas County results are not complete yet, but YES appears to be winning regarding smoking.

Aaron (Eastpointe, Michigan) Toledo is my hometown. We're watching what's happening with Ohio big time right now, cuz it looks like it will decide the election. Exit pollsters here in MI are calling it for Kerry. The nationals are not calling it yet, but that's probably where it will end up. We voted Bush all the way in my household. Turnout was huge for Kerry in Detroit. There was some voter intimidation claims made in Detroit. Frankly, why the Republicans even bothered to send poll watchers to Detroit which is going to vote 95% Kerry anyway is beyond me. Those guys were just asking to get their feelings hurt, if not their bodies. A funny note.

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