Decatur Election Day Open Thread
Decatur Metro | November 3, 2009Use this post to report your first-hand Election Day experiences around the city.
Attendance was light at First Christian this morning and the heat had yet to be turned on, but staff were friendly as always! A couple James Radford supporters out in front.
Based on first-hand reports, Rob Pope seems to have blanketed the city with supporters. I saw one waving to passing cars at Commerce and W. Ponce.
My wife reported one other voter besides herself at Holy Trinity at 9:30. I’ll give a report later today.
Thanks Steve. I probably saw a total of around 12 voters at First Christian around 8a.
I was in a long line of 5 people at C’mont B’tist Ch. this morning around 8:15 am. Polling efficiency was top notch and the sticker I received was of average to good quality. Parking was plentiful and the sun was pretty bright.
Fantastic details! Amazing what you notice when you’re not there for an Obama/McCain race.
I guess elections aren’t happening in every county because I’m the only Georgia Peach at work today.
One other voter with me at Renfroe at 8 am this morning.
I just realized I don’t know where to vote. Everyone say “duh!”
I’m in Winnona Park – can someone enlighten me?
http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/polllocator/PollLocator.aspx
Try this link. (reposted from DM), or look for a big tour bus with an acorn on the side. I hear they’ll take you right where you need to go. If you’re lucky, you don’t even have to get off the bus to vote.
(Just kidding for all those serious people out there.)
Winnona Park Elementary School – go through the front door into the library. I don’t think there is more than one for WP.
Before I answer that, I need to know who you intend to vote for.
I already told everyone in another post who I was voting for…the person with the most yard signs.
PMcG…I thought that was funny!
Will the next person to vote please look to see if there is a “View Results” button on the voting machine. I’m interesting on seeing where the candidates stand so far.
Wow, I can’t type today. Must be the McDonald’s I had for lunch.
Wanted to let everyone know that Valarie will have her election night gathering at Steinbeck’s in the Oakhurst Village starting around 7 pm. tonight. We’ll have live music from a very special guest. Everyone is welcome, so please come by!!
Thanks for the responses! I will be going after work today. And PMcG, thanks for the laugh-out-loud moment.
I was the only person at First Christian at about noon today, other than an irritated lady who was at the wrong polling place.
232 votes cast at the Lutheran Church precinct, corner of Clairemont and Erie Ave. as of 12:45 p.m.
Actually the Lutheran Church of the Messiah was hopping at the lunch hour. I saw no less than 8 people there to cast votes, including two celebrities–Dave Kell and James Radford!
Darn, assuming and equal distribution of voters among all 7 polling sites and that 75% of voters have voted by 12:45 PM, that’s only an average Decatur municipal vote of ~2030. What does it take to get people to vote?!
Let’s vote people! Let’s bring that voting proportion up to a whopping 20%
Snowflake, that’s more than voted in the last election! By my count that number was 1909.
Yeah, but given that I made all those assumptions up based on no experience, I think my estimate of 2030 probably could be anything from 1500 to 2500 votes! Maybe I should play with my assumptions, that’s what all good spin artists, I mean public relations, folks do…..
Anyone know when the final count will occur tonight and the best source of it?
I don’t know when the final count will be done, but I hope Chad isn’t counting. He really caused a fuss in Florida because he spent more time hanging out than actually counting.
I’ll be at the county office! But I’ll betcha DM will be there too so he can report here. Yes?
BTW, the percentages break down like this for the last municipal election:
Winnona Park; 305 voters; 15.98%
Renfroe; 181 voters; 9.48%
First Christian; 184 voters; 9.64%
Oakhurst; 272 voters; 14.25%
Holy Trinity; 208 voters; 10.90%
First Baptist; 371 voters; 19.43%
Lutheran; 388 voters; 20.32%
Hey, that’s GREAT info CSD Mom! Thanks for posting.
Now I definitely predict a flat line trend. It’s the usual turn-out. Unless there’s a big after work spike that I haven’t worked into my assumptions.
New 6 word description: “Decatur: 15% overinvolved; 85% way underinvolved”
I suspect everyone reading this has or is going to vote. But if you are still contemplating the activity only, don’t you feel really, really guilty? Why don’t you go vote and then give yourself a little treat afterwards? It’s a beautiful day–walk or cycle over if you can. Stroll the kids. Walk the dog. Visit those cheerful fun helpers at the voting booth and get a sticker to boot!
By all means – everyone go vote! I voted this morning and there were about 8 folks there and a trickle coming and going. I’m a firm believer in our system, but we all have to participate for it to work.
By the way, anyone is welcome to join Rob Pope and his supporters at Tesoro tonight at 7:30!
No matter what happens, Thanks for a great experience Decatur!
Rob Pope
I noticed that Tesoro is paving their parking lot today in anticipation of your big crowd of supporters.
Love seeing my favorite poll workers at First Christian! They never seem to age ….
or maybe I’m aging?!!
Holy Trinity @ 1:45: Could have rolled multiple bowling balls through and not come close to anyone. One voter was leaving as I was coming in. They said they might make it to 200. The sticker lady, however, was about to give out the last of her Halloween candy.
A suggestion, DM: before anyone complains on a local issues, let’s ask if they voted. Even if their person did not win, at least they put forth more effort than 80% of the people. Those who don’t vote start at the bottom of my credibility list.
Steve, that what I have you for!
If you want to see low turnout, check out the polling places in unincorporated DeKalb where the only race is the special election for the District 58 assembly seat Robin Shipp gave up earlier this year. Crickets!
With 6 candidates for the seat, it’s a pretty good bet there will be a runoff as well. The cost must be insane, but that’s democracy.
Thank you Decatur for all the engaged dialog over the past few weeks.
Rob Pope will have his election night gathering at Tesoro at 7:30. We’ll have live acoustic music by the Tiki Bar. All are welcome to join us. Please come by.
Voted at Winnona Park Elementary at 6:50 p.m. There were about six people there.
When will we hear on the outcomes of all the races? I can’t attend any of the parties tonight. Can someone post here?
Not sure how quickly they update, but you can get results here: http://www.11alive.com/
very close race! rob’s & valarie’s staff here at the same table. will post results when available. right now it’s within 15 votes
valarie by 20 votes, patti, marc, fred are winners
OK, it looks like about 2500 folks voted – average but disappointing showing.
Thank you all for the unforgettable experience of running for school board.
I have just received the official call. I received 46% of the vote.
I congratulate Marc on his re-election. I look forward to working with him. I look forward to getting back into the schools and the classrooms and working together to help improve the education we provide for every child.
I would like to thank everyone that donated their time, effort, advice and money. I have been amazed by how far we came together. I hope we can take this energy and direct it back into our schools and our community. Thank you for the honor of representing your voice.
Garrett
I’m kind of pleased with a turnout of 2548 voters. It’s an increase of 1/3 from the last municipal election even if it’s still only a mere 20% of Decatur’s 13,000 registered voters. The 80% who didn’t vote sure missed out on a chance to make a difference with their vote given how close the School Board elections were.
Even more pleased with what’s now being called the true total turnout of 2788 voters, a 46% increase over the last municipal election. We crept up to a voter turnout of 21%