Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

I've heard on the radio that there have been long lines at the polls in some parts of the country and at some times of day. Here in Union Square, inside Baltimore, it took me eighteen minutes. As it turned out, I could have shaved several minutes off that time, since there were parking spaces available near the polling place, but then I would've had to cope with feeling silly for driving a mere two blocks. (Five minutes to walk out, eight minutes to stand in line and vote, five minutes to walk back.) There were people about three times as far away as they legally had to be (which put them at the bus stop, which I suspect is the reason they cose that spot), trying to hand out Kerry/Edwards/Mikulski (senator) fliers but I waved them off, saying I'd already decided to vote that way and didn't need convincing. I didn't notice anyone supporting the other side. I'll drive past on my way to rehearsal and see how busy they look then.

I don't know whether I hit a slow time (I did try to), or they're just being extremely efficient at this polling site (there were a lot of officials and/or volunteers directing, assisting, and waiting to be asked questions) or turnout in my neighbourhood is low. I forgot to ask how the turnout numbers were looking when I was there. Baltimore, unlike the rest of Maryland, is using the older voting machines that they used last time.

Elsewhere in Baltimore, up on North Avenue at the intersection for the ramp to get on I-83 N, a young man was wearing a sandwich board that said, "THE END IS NEAR! VOTE!"

Now the waiting.