(no subject)

So, we did our civic duty. The "voting tips" said that peak times are 7-8am, 11am-2pm, and after 5pm, so we went at 8:30, thinking we'd miss the lines. We did -- 10 minute wait, max. Wasn't bad at all.

I tend not to reveal my voting, and I will continue that trend, but I will say this was the most soul-searching of elections for me. I think I finally made up my mind this weekend, but I wasn't happy about it. Most elections, I know pretty far in advance who I'm going to vote for, but this one was tough.

I will say that I voted "no" on Proposition 2 (constitutionally defining a marriage between a man and woman only). Actually, the only reason I voted "no" was because there was no "hell no" box to fill in. Not sure how that's going to play in Florida. We have lots of elderly, hispanics, and Haitians, which trend conservative on gay marriage. On the other hand, we have Key West, South Beach, St Petersburg, Disney, and a lot of areas that are well "integrated", so to speak. This is the first election where constitutional amendments need 60% of the vote instead of 50%, and I'm hoping that this state doesn't have that many people who feel the need to back up discriminating state laws with the constitution.

The rest of the amendments were the usual tax breaks and tax levies pro- and con- across business and class lines. There was also a lack of the word "incumbent" next to the names of current office holders, which annoyed me. I do love to vote the bastards out, whatever their party.

(no subject)

Also, I'm not alone in saying, or believing, that the very best part about today, is that it'll be the last day to see the signs and billboards, hear the radio ads, see the TV ads, and listen to the voicemail (and how do the 20 political voice messages I got actually know that I'm a Floridian when my cellphone still has an Atlanta area code? Creepy big brother stuff...)

It'll be beautiful in the next couple weeks as the red and blue signs start to come down and we can actually see the grass, sky, and water again.

(no subject)

So, I'm calling it. Obama currently has 200 electoral votes. I don't think there's anyone who thinks he will lose California, so it's really 255. He's leading in Florida 200,000 votes ahead with roughly 60% of precincts reporting, and I believe he will get our state, which is 27 electoral votes. That would put him at 282, and that's a win.

I could be wrong about Florida...and if I'm wrong I will apologize, but I don't see that I can be at this point.

Alas, Prop 2 looks like it will pass. I'm not surprised that Obama will be the first Democrat to win our state in several elections, but I am surprised at the homophobia in a state that in my experience, has shown itself to have a strong gay community.