General Discussion

pat_k

(12,435 posts) Tue Nov 4, 2025, 11:10 PM Nov 4

Very embarrassed, but not alone.

I know how important early voting is. But I'm also the sort of obsessive that does way too much research.

Anyway, excuse, excuse, yada, yada. This year I was among the last minute voters here in Seattle. My place is a five minute walk to a ballot drop box. I got home at 7:25 and headed straight out.

I figured I'd be one of a handful of stragglers. Surprise surprise. About 20 people were in line to drop their ballots, with more coming in a steady stream. And there were about 40 cars in their own cue to get close enough for someone to jump out and drop their ballots (there's a loop in front of where the drop box is). There was also a steady stream of cars turning in as I headed home.

It all moved very fast. The box was clearly packed and an official was making sure ballots got in with a handy-dandy tool that probably helped spread out the contents of the box.

The cut off time here is 8 PM. Unlike polling places, where you get to vote if you are in the line at closing, 8 PM is a firm cut off for drop boxes. I sure hope that a vast majority of the other last minute folk got their ballots in in time!!

5 replies

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Very embarrassed, but not alone. (Original Post) pat_k Nov 4 OP

I did the same thing. Got home at 7:30, ran inside, got my ballot, hooked up my wee doggie to his leash and BamaRefugee Nov 5 #1

Thanks to you & all Californians who see that fighting fire with fire is a moral imperative in these extraordinary times pat_k Nov 5 #4

Nothing to vote on where I live in Oregon RANDYWILDMAN Nov 5 #2

I get to vote by mail in Michigan, and mailed my ballot weeks ago.... Jack Valentino Nov 5 #3

Thanks for the insight! pat_k Nov 5 #5

BamaRefugee

(3,876 posts)

1. I did the same thing. Got home at 7:30, ran inside, got my ballot, hooked up my wee doggie to his leash and

Reply to pat_k (Original post)

Wed Nov 5, 2025, 04:14 PM

Nov 5

we took a nice walk to my town's library where there was a drop box.
Lots of others doing the same thing and a BIG line around the block of people waiting to get inside the library.
This was in California where there was only ONE item on the ballot: "Do you want to say F* You to Texas, to Missouri, and to Donald Trunt?"
After careful consideration my answer was "why yes, yes I do!"

and I use the name "Trunt" because it rhymes naturally with what he is.

pat_k

(12,435 posts)

4. Thanks to you & all Californians who see that fighting fire with fire is a moral imperative in these extraordinary times

Reply to BamaRefugee (Reply #1)

Wed Nov 5, 2025, 11:27 PM

Nov 5

Fingers cross that constituents in red and blue states recognize that partisan gerrymandering MUST end. A national campaign for independent redistricting nationwide in 2030 needs to commence right now!

(And it wouldn't hurt if a few sane billionaires helped us fight fire with sanity by shoveling serious money into ACCURATELY measuring the will of the American people.)

RANDYWILDMAN

(3,112 posts)

2. Nothing to vote on where I live in Oregon

Reply to pat_k (Original post)

Wed Nov 5, 2025, 04:22 PM

Nov 5

But proud of everybody who voted !!!

Very proud my state is vote by Mail and that my new local library had the ballot boxes on site and ready to go for the next election

Jack Valentino

(3,989 posts)

3. I get to vote by mail in Michigan, and mailed my ballot weeks ago....

Reply to pat_k (Original post)

Wed Nov 5, 2025, 06:16 PM

Nov 5

Mostly just city elections this year, very short ballot,
no questions of any national significance----

and our city mayor, a former Democratic state legislator,
was re-elected by what I think was reported as a 'record margin'.....

That being Lansing, the capitol city of Michigan. Andy Schor

AI Overview
Andy Schor is the 52nd Mayor of Lansing, Michigan, a member of the Democratic Party, and was recently reelected for a third term. He was previously a member of the Ingham County Board of Commissioners and represented the 68th district in the Michigan House of Representatives. His recent focus includes addressing homelessness through projects like the new "mile pod" community, improving roads, and promoting economic development.
Background: Schor is a Democrat who has served on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners and in the Michigan House of Representatives. He is also the first Jewish mayor of Lansing.
Recent Election: He was reelected for a third term in November 2025.
Key Initiatives: His priorities for his third term include improving roads, increasing economic development, and addressing gun violence and homelessness.
Homelessness: A recent initiative involves investing in a "mile pod" community to help individuals experiencing homelessness stabilize their lives.
Economic Concerns: He has expressed concerns about the impact of tariffs on the city's auto industry, which includes GM assembly plants.

Hrmphhh. I didn't even know that he was Jewish--- not that I CARE,
it's a point in his favor because he is more of a minority than I knew about....

pat_k

(12,435 posts)

5. Thanks for the insight!

Reply to Jack Valentino (Reply #3)

Wed Nov 5, 2025, 11:33 PM

Nov 5

And I love hearing "record margins" for Democratic/Progressive candidates in elections that aren't highlighted because they weren't considered "hotly contested."

I'm looking forward to an analysis of how big the swing was across counties and districts. That could be far more telling than all the wins we are rightly celebrating.

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