Unlike so many of my friends, neighbors, coworkers and 35% of Georgia’s electorate, I didn’t want to vote early.  I kept my mouth shut, since it seemed like an unpopular position with so many folks out in force telling everyone to “vote early!” and whatnot.  I didn’t want to ruin their 2-10 hour line fun.  (Incidentally, that line on Ponce last night at 7p was ridiculous; though the AJC did later report that all votes were cast by 10:45p)

But there’s just something about early voting to me that’s a bit of a buzz kill.  I want to get in a line on Election Day, be thoroughly inconvenienced, go to work really late, tell everyone my war stories of long lines and then go home and anticipate 7p when GA will be one of the first states to report results (if all goes well).

I’m not arguing the importance of early voting, especially for those that can’t take the time off from work or other responsibilities so easily.  And if the lines on Election Day are even worse than those of early/advance voting (though I highly doubt it), perhaps I’ll feel a little guilty.

But for this one, really important election, I’d rather soak it all in on the big day.

David pointed out this blurb in the AJC this morning about early voting downtown…

About 200 people were in line when voting started at the precinct on West Ponce de Leon Avenue in Decatur. But the building was open, so the early arrivers stood inside in a line that snaked down a hallway just off the lobby.

Peter McDade waited 45 minutes, arriving at 6:45 a.m. and walking out at 7:30 a.m.

“I thought it would be about an hour-and-a-half,” he said.

Altmod writes in to DM with her own account…

Early voting went VERY smoothly.  The line starts outside and snakes around inside.  It looks long and there were a ton of people voting but we only waited outside for 10 minutes and then inside for 20 minutes.  They were running a smooth operation (we filled out forms on clipboards and had our id’s verified while we were in line).  It went WAY smoother than usual–I usually vote at the Baptist church.  Very professional.  Indie Coffee House even put out a sign that reminds chilly line waiters that they sell hot drinks!  Vote early!