Election SC

[Saydrah]

In this case, it's more like Silly Customer, since she wasn't a jerk about things... Inspired by LillFilly's "*sigh* I'll trade you" thread, which reminded me of this story from Election 08.


It's politics-related, so I won't be specific about issues. The background is that I was a volunteer for (Candidate) supervising polling at a polling place near my house, and was approached by a voter who was feeling conflicted about her vote on (controversial ballot item supported by many religious groups).


Voter: "Excuse me! I had a question about (ballot issue).

Me: "Yes?"

Voter: "Well, I voted 'No.' That means that I want (prohibition of controversial action), right?"

Me: "No, I'm sorry. If you wanted to vote for the Colorado constitution to be amended to include (controversial wording), you would have needed to vote 'Yes.'"

Voter: "Oh! I voted 'No' because it said 'Shall an amendment be made,' and I didn't want (controversial wording) changed or amended. I thought it meant that was already there and they wanted to change it."

Me: "Ah, I can see how that would be confusing."

Voter: "Can I change my vote?"

Me: "I'm sorry, there's no way to do that to my knowledge. You can talk to the Election Protection Attorney over there if you like, but I think there is no possible way to access your ballot after submitting it."

Voter: (crestfallen) "Oh. But I was pretty confused. They should really make the wording clearer."

Me: "I suppose that was a little poorly worded, wasn't it?"

Voter: (almost in tears) "Yes! But I guess I was a little confused anyway. I just wanted to vote how God would want me to vote, and I think God would want (controversial prohibition). But then again I'm all for freedom, so I don't know, because (ballot issue) would restrict some people's freedom."

Me: "It's a pretty thorny issue."

Voter: "But maybe God wanted me to be confused?"

Me: "Huh?"

Voter: "Well maybe I thought God wanted me to vote 'Yes' but God really wanted me to vote 'No' so when I went to vote, He clouded my mind so that I would be confused by the wording and vote 'No!'"

Me: (suppressing a giggle) "God works in mysterious ways!"

Voter: (now gleeful) "That must be it! I did God's work today. Thank you! God loves you!"

She then went to the gas station across the street for a celebratory Slurpee....

[Sheldonrs]

...She then went to the gas station across the street for a celebratory Slurpee....

THWACK!! to the forehead! God wanted her to have a V-8!!!!

[AriRashkae]

THWACK!! to the forehead! God wanted her to have a V-8!!!!

As long as it was one the Fusions. Regular V-8 is nasty!

[TheSnakeLady]

I think I know which ballot initiative you're talking about...

[froglet]

As long as it was one the Fusions. Regular V-8 is nasty!

Gotta add a dash of pepper! Kinda hard to add it to a can or bottle though.

[RetailWorkhorse]

Gotta add a dash of vodka!

Edited for.....uhm..........because.

[Cat]

I LOVE V8!! Then again, I like Marmite/Vegemite, so I have odd tastes


But yeah, V8 is yummy with vodka.

Maybe she had a V8 Slurpee??

[Shimatta]

I voted no but then I meant to

[jerkface11]

And Thomas Jefferson silently turned over in his grave.

[Nyoibo]

I'm pretty sure we can all work out what that ballot thing was about, but this has to be the most hilarious silliness I've seen, I love it.

[tare1991]

Oh man... I worked at 4 election days so far. Nov 4th was definetly the most work. Our poll place opened at 7am and closed at 8pm.

And boy... people couldn't make up their minds whether they wanted paper or electronic ballots...

Either way... people made a big deal about getting their id checked, signing at the right place, or getting the right ballot. Bummer, we got paid luckily .

[Reyneth]

I'm glad she felt ok about her vote in the end but jeeze, if you feel strongly about something, it's probably a good idea to ummm, I don't know, educate yourself about it so you absolutely know how to vote!

[slavetotheman]

I don't know about Colorado, but around here when they have ballot initiatives and referenda and the like, on the ballots they not only include the legalese but also the English translation for laypeople -- and probably targeted to a 5th-grade reading level or something like it. Did that get her confused? Hope she didn't drink that Slurpee too quickly because it's cold and might make her teef hurt!

[AriRashkae]

Quote froglet: "Gotta add a dash of vodka!"

Edited for.....uhm..........because.

Hmmm. I may have to try that.

[Danno]

A couple of years ago the woman ahead of me at the polls was upset that she didn't get a receipt after voting. She'd heard that the new electronic machines also kept a paper record, so naturally she assumed that everyone would leave with their own piece of paper recording their votes.

Both the election volunteer and I tried to explain why that would be a bad idea leaving people open to threats and bribes, but she didn't want to hear it. I think in her imagination if a recount were needed, everybody would just come back to their polling place with their receipt in hand.