That would not be the only cmt made at a polling place that elicits blank stares, in my experience. I’ve lived in Brooklyn for 10 yrs and the only time voting was ever NOT a hassle was while I was on maternity leave and was able to go in the middle of the day to wait my turn. It escapes me how something that is done so often and is such an institution can consistently be so poorly organized. You would think there’d be some collective wisdom/memory to bring to the process. It’s why I’m not voting today- I don’t have time- and that’s sad.

Voted at 8:15 AM and things were smooth and easy. New system is definitely odd (walking back and forth across room with your ballot in hand and putting it in the machine in full view of observer) but found no lines and no attitude.

Me too. It was easy and without incident when I went at 9:00 am. Don’t blame the poll workers for their lack of training, blame the state for not sinking resources into training.

If you are unsure where to vote, please call 311 before you venture out and they will tell you.

Please have patience today…the old levers are history and it is sad. The workers are temporary, they work 2 days a year and have been given limited training on the new machines. Those working are overwhelmed and extremely short staffed. They are trying to cope with the situation.

Some polling places are running smoothly others are experiencing machine breakdowns, understaffed polls and other various problems.

Please have patience but PLEASE VOTE! If there are problems please try to call them into the BOE or 311 or post them here.

Unfortunately the city was mandated by the feds to change over to these new scanning machines. It is the first time out and yes it is not as smooth as it should be. The process of appointing inspectors, training them etc has become increasingly difficult. Its a long day from 530 am to 9 pm to work and harder to get a crew of competent trained individuals willing to put in those hours (for 200/day)

We might have to run it like “jury duty”…and make it a citizenship issue in the future to insure smooth balloting.

All thoughts and input are appreciated.

Thank you, LadyFlatbush. I’ll call this afternoon, and I’ll be patient.

I’m going to miss the old machines. There was something so satisfying about swinging the lever & hearing that solid “kaCHUNK”.

Very bizarre voting today, you get your ballot, go to a “privacy booth” that feels as private as the rush hour Q train, then get to go to the scanning machine. I recommend looking on line for your election district to avoid delays (http://gis.nyc.gov/vote/ps/index.htm). This was good for voting practice as this will be a certain type of cluster on election day, especially were it a presidential election. Go Democracy Go!

Y’all are not alone:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/14/problems-reported-with-new-voting-machines/?hp

After moving earlier this summer and getting a change-of-address confirmation from the Board of Elections, I went to vote and wasn’t in the book (voted at PS 6 on Snyder). I wonder how soon before the election they print them out. Filled out an affidavit ballot, watched the worker put it into the “big envelope” and said a little prayer. But yeah, was anticipating a squabble with the workers at the scanner over taking my ballot from me. No way am I letting anyone else touch my ballot.

Thanks again to those who gave advice on finding your polling place, mine had indeed moved.

I got there around 7:30 & I think I was out in about 5 minutes. No hassles. Not bad at all – honestly, I think that’s the least time it’s ever taken me to vote. Maybe it paid off to go late, gave ‘em all day to sort things out – whatever the case, the poll workers seemed to have everything down pat.