Very embarrassed, but not alone. [View all]

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!!