dChan - Q Origins Project Archive

Anon's first hand voting experience in CA primary (the day before Super Tuesday, 2024):

I did not have the voter card or ballot that came in the mail with me when I saw all of the "vote here" signs the day before the election.

So I walked in and said that.

"No problem."

I provided my name and address and a lovely lady started preparing a paper ballot for me.

I said, "Do you want to see my ID?"

I had it in my hand.

"No. You're in the system," she said with a half smile.

(Of course, the DMV, airports, passport office, licensing bureaus, etc. etc., do not care if a name and address are "in the system." They care whether the person standing in front of them actually shows that they ARE the person ASSOCIATED WITH that name and address.)

She handed me a paper ballot (to be filled in with a pen).

I said, "Does this ballot allow me to select the items on the machine and have it print out?"

"No," she said. "I just assumed you wanted a paper ballot. Let me start over."

Hmmm. "I just assumed…"

Now that I think about it, I dont recall seeing her destroy the paper ballot she produced "on assumption."

She never asked which I preferred and never asked my registered party. (Which party you are registered with is on full display on the unconfidential, open for all to see, postcard they send you in the mail. So I'm sure "the system" showed her my party registration. And, presumably, because it is a primary, party ballots may vary on some issues. I don't know if CA is one of those states that allows Democrats to vote on the Republican nominee in the primary - in which case it would be same ballot regardless of party, unless downstream contests do not allow crossover (go Steve Garvey for Feinstein's seat, beat Shifty Shiff)!

Glad I'm "in the system," though so anyone can provide my name and addess and get a ballot on voting days in California!!!