was pretty much hassle free. I did notice that no one wanted to use the optical machine, instead choosing to fill in the circles with ink.

_{"at some point I'm hopeful I'll figure out something to put here"}

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2006/11/07/poll_closing_times_est.html

6:00 pm
Indiana (East), Kentucky (East)

7:00 pm
Florida (Peninsula), Kentucky (West), Indiana (West), Vermont, Georgia, New Hampshire, Virginia, South Carolina

7:30 pm
North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia

8:00 pm
Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida (Panhandle), Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Maryland, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas

8:30 pm
Arkansas

9:00 pm
Arizona, Colorado, Lousiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nebraska, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming

10:00 pm
Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon (East), Utah

11:00 pm
California, Hawaii, Oregon (West), Washington

12:00 am
Alaska

was hassle-free here in Raleigh as well. There were a lot of people there. Hell, even it was a presidential election, I would have still considered it a lot of people. It was good to see it so busy this morning.

And I've understood that CNN exit polls have been leaked and available in blogosphere?

-- 101 ways to avoid the subjunctive mood

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14685359/

-- 101 ways to avoid the subjunctive mood

(CNN) -- By a wide margin, Americans who voted Tuesday in the midterm election say they disapprove of the war in Iraq.

But when asked which issue was extremely important to their vote, more voters said corruption and ethics in government than any other issue, including the war, according to national exit polls.

A large majority of voters also disapproved of how Congress and President Bush are doing their jobs. However, Bush fared slightly better on that score than members of the GOP-led Congress.

Asked which issues were extremely important to their vote, 42 percent said corruption and ethics; 40 percent, terrorism; 39 percent, the economy; 37 percent, Iraq; 36 percent, values; and 29 percent, illegal immigration.

Nationally, 57 percent of voters said they disapproved of the war in Iraq, while only 41 percent approved. Those figures mirror Bush's job approval among voters, with 58 percent saying they disapprove of the president's performance and only 41 percent approve.

Asked if they approved of how Congress is handling its job, 62 percent said they did not, while just 36 percent said they did.

Voters were also asked whether they were more motivated by national issues or local issues in their votes for the House. Sixty-two percent said national issues were more important, while 33 percent named local issues.

and TPM is definitely keeping both eyes on any voting issues/problems.

Couldn't help but laugh at even GOP having difficulties using the hardware, or getting turned away (initially) for not having proper ID.

eyes on the prize.....
-5.75,-4.05 "I am in earnest; I will not equivocate; I will not excuse; I will not retreat a single inch; and I will be heard."
William Lloyd Garrison
US abolitionist & editor (1805 - 1879)

Virginia ( 29% precincts reporting )
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/VA/S/01/

Tennessee ( results coming in )
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/TN/S/01/

Missouri
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/MO/S/01/

Montana
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/MT/S/01/

ONN

12:45 EST November 8:

District 1 is leaning towards the incumbent, Republican Steve Chabot, 52-48 with 67% of the tally recorded. District 2 Republican incumbent Jean Schmidt should win over Democrat Victoria Wulsin (98% tallied), 51-49.

It looks like District 15 Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy's great campaign to unseat incumbent Deborah Pryce is going to lose by 2 points. One stubborn precinct in that district hasn't reported in, but Mary Jo would have to pick up 3,700 votes to win the seat.

I think we're done here. Nationally, the Dems easily won control of the House; Ohio ends up contributing one seat to the total, although three more came darned close.

"Good night, and Good Luck."

00:00 EST November 8: The 1st and 2nd House races have tightened:

(1)i-Chabot(R) 51%, Cranley(D) 49% (was 58-42!)
(2)i-Schmidt(R) 51%, Wulsin(D) 49% (was 53-47)

...and that pesky 15th is still 51-49 for Republican incumbent Deborah Pryce.

23:30 EST: It appears that the 15th U.S. Congressional District incumbent, Republican Deborah Pryce, will retain her seat by a margin of 3,000 votes out of 197,500 cast.

Democrats did pick up one House seat, as Democrat Zach Space thumped Joy Padgett to win indicted and disgraced Republican Bob Ney's 18th District seat.

In other results, Republicans Terrence O'Donnell and Robert Cupp have won election to the state Supreme Court.

Democrats Richard Cordray and Jennifer Brunner have won election as Treasurer and Secretary of State, respectively. Republican Mary Taylor has won Auditor of State. The race for Attorney General is too close to call as of midnight.

State Issues: #2 (minimum wage amendment) has passed. #3 (gambling amenedment) has been defeated. #4 (smoking amendment) has been defeated. #5 (smoking legislation) has been approved.

23:00 EST: 15th STILL A TOSSUP
Governor:      Strickland(D) 60%, Blackwell(R) 37% (was Taft-R)
U.S. Senate:   Brown(D) 55%, i-DeWine(R) 45%
U.S. Congress: (1)i-Chabot(R) 58%, Cranley(D) 42%
               (2)i-Schmidt(R) 53%, Wulsin(D) 47%
               (3)i-Turner(R) 55%, Chema(D) 45%
               (4)Jordan(R) 60, Siferd(D) 40% (was Oxley-R)
               (5)i-Gillmor(R) 56%, Weirauch(D) 44%
               (6)Wilson(D) 59%, Blasdel(R) 41% (was Strickland-D))
               (7)i-Hobson(R) 61%, Conner(D) 39%
               (8)i-Boehner(R) 64%, Meier(D) 36%
               (9)i-Kaptur(D) 71%, Leavitt(R) 29%
              (10)i-Kucinich(D) 70%, Dovilla(R) 30%
              (11)i-Tubbs-Jones(D) 81%, String(R) 19%
              (12)i-Tiberi(R) 55%, Shamanski(D) 45%
              (13)Sutton(D) 64%, Foltin(R) 36% (was Brown-D))
              (14)i-LaTourette(R) 60%, Katz(D) 37%
              (15)i-Pryce(R) 51%, Kilroy(D) 49%
              (16)i-Regula(R) 56%, Shaw(D) 44%
              (17)i-Ryan(D) 82%, Manning(R) 18%
              (18)Space(D) 61%, Padgett(R) 38% (was Ney-R))


22:15 EST
Governor:      Strickland(D) 54%, Blackwell(R) 45% (was Taft-R)
U.S. Senate:   Brown(D) 54%, i-DeWine(R) 45%
U.S. Congress: DEMS PICKING UP 1 SEAT
               (1)i-Chabot(R) 63%, Cranley(D) 37%
               (2)i-Schmidt(R) 52%, Wulsin(D) 48%
               (3)i-Turner(R) 51%, Chema(D) 49%
               (4)Jordan(R) 59, Siferd(D) 40% (was Oxley-R)
               (5)i-Gillmor(R) 56%, Weirauch(D) 44%
               (6)Wilson(D) 65%, Blasdel(R) 35% (was Strickland-D))
               (7)i-Hobson(R) 61%, Conner(D) 39%
               (8)i-Boehner(R) 64%, Meier(D) 36%
               (9)i-Kaptur(D) 71%, Leavitt(R) 29%
              (10)i-Kucinich(D)
              (11)i-Tubbs-Jones(D)
              (12)i-Tiberi(R) 56%, Shamanski(D) 44%
              (13)Sutton(D) 65%, Foltin(R) 35% (was Brown-D))
              (14)i-LaTourette(R) 57%, Katz(D) 38%
              (15)Kilroy(D) 51%, i-Pryce(R) 39%
              (16)i-Regula(R) 56%, Shaw(D) 44%
              (17)i-Ryan(D) 81%, Manning(R) 19%
              (18)Space(D) 61%, Padgett(R) 38% (was Ney-R))

21:30 EST
Governor:      Strickland(D) 66%, Blackwell(R) 31%
U.S. Senate:   Brown(D) 67%, i-DeWine(R) 33%
U.S. Congress: (14)i-LaTourette(R) 63%, Katz(D) 35%
               (4)Jordan(R) 65%, Siferd(D) 35% (was R)
               (5)i-Gilmore(R) 55%, Weirauch(D) 44%
               (6)Wilson(D) 75%, Blasdel(R) 25% (was Dem)
               (7)i-Hobson(R) 59%, Conner(D) 25%
              (16)i-Regula(R) 56%, Shaw(D) 44% (was Ney(R)

20:30 EST
Governor:      Strickland(D) 55%, Blackwell(R) 41%
U.S. Senate:   Brown(D) 57%, i-DeWine(R) 43%
U.S. Congress: (14)i-LaTourette(R) 63%, Katz(D) 35%

Page with every secretary of State's page listed.

(CBS/AP) CBS News estimates that when all the votes are counted, Democrat Bob Casey will have defeated Republican Sen. Rick Santorum in Pennsylvania — a second big pickup for the Democrats in their bid to win a majority in the Senate.

In Ohio, Democratic Rep. Sherrod Brown is the projected winner over incumbent Republican Sen. Mike DeWine.

Other critical Senate contests in Virginia, Tennessee, Maryland, Missouri and New Jersey were too close to call.

In other early Election Night news, Republican Sen. Richard Lugar was the projected winner in Indiana, while Rep. Bernie Sanders, an Independent, was the projected winner in Vermont.

In West Virginia, 88-year old Democrat Robert Byrd is the estimated winner, for a record ninth term in the Senate.

From a CNN story:

"Democrats were battling accusations they are soft on national security and the economy. "

Say what? Democrats poll much stronger on the economy. That accusation isn't being battled, because only idiots believe it.

Latest Races Called by AP

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 7, 2006

Filed at 8:49 p.m. ET

The latest Senate and governor results called by the Associated Press include incumbents holding Senate seats in Maine, Florida and Massachusetts.

SENATE:

Robert Menendez-D elected in New Jersey

Bob Casey-D elected in Pennsylvania

Thomas Carper-D elected in Delaware

Trent Lott-R elected in Mississippi

Bernie Sanders-I elected in Vermont

Richard Lugar-R elected in Indiana

Robert Byrd-D elected in West Virginia

Olympia Snowe-R elected in Maine

Bill Nelson-D elected in Florida

Edward Kennedy-D elected in Massachusetts

GOVERNOR:

Ted Strickland-D elected in Ohio

Deval Patrick-D elected in Massachusetts

M. Jodi Rell-R elected in Connecticut

Ed Rendell-D elected in Pennsylvania

Phil Bredesen-D elected in Tennessee

John Lynch-D elected in New Hampshire

Rod Blagojevich-D elected in Illinois

per MSNBC

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/bop/

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14289273/

Click on House or Senate part of graphic for details.

are like bikinis.
What they reveal is suggestive. What they hide is vital.
This election is nothing but a vote for or against big corporations.
Whether you vote for the Repubs or Dems, doesn't matter. The big Corps still rule.
The only thing voted for is whether the Dems or the Repubs will represent the big corps.
If you voted Green you cast a vote against the big corps.

_{repressive governments mix administrative clumsiness & inefficiency with authoritarian tendencies.}

I live in Mean Jean's district...we had very heavy turnout, usually not that great in a Mid term....and....hah hah hah

Schmidt had trouble getting her vote to scan! [if this link doesn't work, it's on Crooks and Liars]

http://movies.crooksandliars.com/WKRC-SchmidtVoting.mov

*********************************
If this were 1700, they'd be saying: "Since civilization began, slavery has existed. It's human nature." I would have believed it. If 1800: "Women will never vote. They are not born rational". I would have believed it.
2006: Make war irrelevant

will probably change in the next minute;-)

_{"at some point I'm hopeful I'll figure out something to put here"}

CBS

Dems Win House Faux News

Free Republic Reaction

CNN projects that a proposed law in South Dakota to ban nearly all abortions will be defeated.

_{"at some point I'm hopeful I'll figure out something to put here"}

Wisconsin voters favored an amendment that would add two sentences to the state constitution to define marriage as a union of one man and one woman.

The amendment prevents the state from recognizing similar relationships among unmarried individuals, such as civil unions.

Doyle wins re-election
Governor Doyle defeats Republican challenger Mark Green to become the first Democrat re-elected governor in 32 years.

Doyle made his support for stem cell research a pivotal issue in the hard-fought governor's race.

The race was marked by millions of dollars spent on negative TV ads and by visits by high-profile politicians and celebrities.

more at KARE 11

with Rush's web site and he says you are lying. Who can I believe?
If my tongue was ever deeper in my cheek I would need a surgeon.

_{repressive governments mix administrative clumsiness & inefficiency with authoritarian tendencies.}

is quiet tonight. Why?

_{repressive governments mix administrative clumsiness & inefficiency with authoritarian tendencies.}

Bush to Hold Press Conference Wednesday at 1 PM

November 07, 2006 11:36 PM

ABC News' Karen Travers Reports: Not wanting to concede any air to the Democrats tomorrow, President Bush will have a press conference tomorrow afternoon at 1pm in the East Room.

Reaction to the election results:
"We’re disappointed with the verdict in the House and you’ll hear from the President at the press conference,” deputy press secretary Dana Perino said.

“The Senate is too close to call for us to make any broad judgments but we are liking the position we are in,” Perino said.

NO calls from Bush tonight

The President will NOT be making any calls tonight – nothing to Rep. Nancy Pelosi because there are “races still open out West,” one White House official said.

President Bush will place a series of congratulatory calls in the morning once all the other races finish up.

more at ABC

I was sleepless last night, anxiously awaiting the news. I am a happier man today.

Dad

spent the last month volunteering just about every day for the dem campaign, doing everything from data entry to canvassing in the rain. I absolutely cannot tell you how much lighter my heart feels with the election results showing at least 25 seats in the House and at least 4 in the Senate. I literally want to dance around! I suspect we are about to see this administration undergo a series of lessons focused on the spiritual concept of reaping and sowing.

This is a damn good day, WOO-effing-HOO!!

"I beseech you in the bowels of christ think it possible you may be mistaken."

GOP's winning chances came down to 10% but are now up to 25%-30%.

The House is expected to gain at least 29-30 Democratic seats but certainly less than 34.

A quote from a gambler:
"GOP deserves to defeat all the seats because they banned gambling (on the internet)"

Voting against corruption was popular among the voters but even Democrats were silent about it during the latter part of the campaign. Who financed their election budgets? :-)

-- 101 ways to avoid the subjunctive mood

Because of a recount ...

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/11/08/news/local/22-flub.txt

Could still go either way. Tester is currently ahead by 5000 with 84% precincts reporting.

Democrats have taken four Senate seats from the Republicans. Two races, in Montana and Virginia, remain too close to call, although Democrats hold narrow leads in both states.
In the case of a 50-50 tie in the Senate, Vice President Dick Cheney would cast the deciding vote in favor of Republican control.

The Montana Senate race won't be known until at least 7 a.m. Eastern, according to the Associated Press. Results from Yellowstone County, including the city of Billings, have yet to be counted. See on our interactive map where the Democrats made gains.

In Virginia, the winner of the Senate race cannot be determined until final absentee ballots are counted on Wednesday. A recount of the results is likely, which could mean the final result would not be known until December, experts said.

MarketWatch

NYT, By John O’Neil, November 8

Virginia’s election laws allow an apparent loser to request a recount if a contest’s margin is less than 1 percent — and the margin in the preliminary results of the state’s Senate election stood this morning at about one-third of 1 percent.

While a recount seems likely, though, if it comes it will not come quickly.

According to a statement issued this month by the state’s Board of Elections, no request for a recount may be filed until the vote is certified, which is scheduled to happen this year on Nov. 27th.

After certification, a losing candidate has 10 days to file a recount request in the state courts. The petition will be considered by a panel made up of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court in Richmond and two judges appointed by the Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court. Those judges then set out guidelines for conducting the recount.

The costs of a recount are borne by the counties and cities conducting the review if the apparent margin of victory from the original count is less than one half of 1 percent, or if the candidate requesting the recount is ultimately declared the winner.

With 99 percent of precincts reporting this morning, Jim Webb, the Democratic challenger, led Senator George Allen, a Republican, by less than 8,000 votes out of more than 2.3 million cast.