SURVEY SAYS: Election Day Trick or Treating

I wasn’t all that surprised to find that a whopping 97% of this week’s respondents said they were planning to vote (after all, voters tend to “vote”) – although not all were enthusiastic about the selections available.     “I will be voting,” one noted, “and as I do, I will be sending up a prayer something to the effect of “God, Please help us all! We’re gonna need it.” Another noted, “I will vote next week – here in Southwest Ohio there are some crucial offices that are on the line – with some idiots running for them.    I will vote the way I always have – not FOR the best candidate, but AGAINST the village idiot.”

Not that Ohio had any monopoly on the sentiment.   We also heard, “I do not get time off to vote but since I live in the Chicagoland area, I plan to vote early and often before and after work;”“…yes, I will vote.   I live in New Jersey , where the elections are the political equivalent of the World Wrestling Federation.;”“I ALWAYS vote — and voted early this year. The political ads in Texas this year are so disgusting that my only regret is that I couldn’t vote against everybody ; ”   “I am excited about the opportunity to vote in Georgia , the first state to go completely electronic.   I am a little sick of the political commercials, but having the President and VP drop in all the time for the important governor and senate races has been nice.” …another who said, “…You have to consider some of the candidates that we have to choose from, like the California Governor’s Race.   Do you elect the incumbent who is worthless but can be bought or do you elect the challenger who can’t run his own businesses or a functioning S&L?”… “I do plan to vote but do not get time off of work to do it.   I live in Massachusetts and have to decide which candidate for Governor is the lesser of two evils, but I guess that is politics in America today.”.. an Oregon reader noted, “…As Robert Heinlein said in Time Enough for Love, ‘there may not be anything you want to vote for, but there will always be something to vote against.'” … or the unique voting attire espoused by a Washington state reader who noted: “Fortunately we have absentee ballots in WA State and I can vote from the convenience of my kitchen table in the middle of the night, naked, if I want to!”

There were, in fact, a number of readers who were taking advantage of absentee and/or electronic voting this year – with some interesting side benefits – “Early Voting is a wonderful thing.    Not only can I vote when I want to, but then I can totally ignore all of the political ads that will continue to run until Election Day!”

A good thing too – despite the heavy reader interest in voting, more than 82% of our respondents will have to do so on their own time.  

We got a somber reminder from the reader who said, “I do not get time off from work, but I plan on voting in the morning before I come in.   I probably will do that every election day for the rest of my life because I did that on primary day 2001 and it might have saved my life.   If I hadn’t stopped to vote, I would have either been in the lobby/concourse of the WTC or in the subway underneath it when the planes hit.   Stopping for those 5 minutes forced me to miss my usual subway and end up on the first one that was stopped at Chambers St. (the stop before the WTC).     Who says that when both candidates stink nothing good can come from voting?”  

More than one reader reminded us of the importance of voting, regardless of the selection(s), such as this one who said, “Voting is the only action that gives you the right to comment on the way your city/county/state/country is run — no American citizen should EVER miss the opportunity. Try living somewhere where you CAN’T express your opinion.”

But this week’s EDITOR”S CHOICE was a real classic:  “We don’t get time off to vote but yes I do plan to vote.   Please include this in your survey – it may be the only count in which I’m included.   Signed, A Florida Absentee Ballot Voter”

Thanks to everyone who participated in our survey!  

Please see the following pages for all verbatims.

By state law we have to allow time off to vote so we will be giving paid time off.

Personally, I do plan to vote even though most people don't.   I think we would get in incredible voter turnout if one of the issues on the ballot was to ban all the ugly campaign ads we have had to endure.

No, I do not get time off from work to vote, but I wouldn't miss a chance to vote for anything. (I actually voted absentee already because I'll be out of state on 11/5.) Voting is the only action that gives you the right to comment on the way your city/county/state/country is run -- no American citizen should EVER miss the opportunity. Try living somewhere where you CAN'T express your opinion.................

I voted last week, as I'll be traveling to our company's locations conducting open enrollment meetings.   I certainly hope the meetings go as smoothly as voting did, although I doubt that will be the case, given the agenda of having to explain increasing costs to the employees.

No, we don't get off; yes, I will vote.   I live in New Jersey, where the elections are the political equivalent of the World Wrestling Federation.

I ALWAYS vote -- and voted early this year. The political ads in Texas this year are so disgusting that my only regret is that I couldn't vote against everybody.

I don't get any time off to vote, and never have.

However, I have not missed casting my ballot on any election day, even school board elections since I was 18 years old.   I fail to understand how Americans cannot vote. When you think about it voter apathy is about 50% of the vote, and the politicians don't have to spend a dime or address any issues for this group.   After all, if you don't cast a vote for my opponent isn't it really a vote for me?

We give time off when there is no alternative to voting off working hours.   In the past this policy was much more important because Vermont, where we are headquartered and have 20% of our workforce, used to rely on the Town Meeting for voting.   Now most town meetings are held either the night before or of election day so that town business can be conducted without the "distraction" of national or statewide elections.

Early Voting is a wonderful thing.    Not only can I vote when I want to, but then I can totally ignore all of the political ads that will continue to run until Election Day!

We do not get time off to vote unless the polls are not opened after "normal" working hours but I have never seen that happen.   I have already voted because we have a period of "early voting" in our state to help accommodate people who might have trouble getting to the polls on one particular day and to help keep the lines from being extremely long.   It is also to help encourage people to vote by having the early voting time to include Saturdays as well as weekdays.

We do not get time off to vote and I am undecided on whether or not I will vote...I'm guilty of not having done any homework and all the ads are slamming the other candidate to the point that it's hard sometimes to know who is paying for the ad!   I'm not in a very good mood about politicians right now.

I will be voting. And as I do, I will be sending up a prayer something to the effect of "God, Please help us all! We're gonna need it."

No, our company does not grant time off, with or without pay, to vote. However, our company does "encourage" employees to vote!   With that in mind, it becomes a real task to vote and get to an 8:00 to 5:00 job without some real planning, our polls are open from 6:00 to 6:00. Did I say planning? I'm taking a day of vacation and will vote as well as be a poll worker this Tuesday.   Wonder - wonder, what some folks will do to get a day away from the office!

I am at corporate headquarters, there are no time clocks and we work flexible hours (within reason).   But the plant locations they do not give extra time off.    Since the polls are open from 6 A.M. to 7 P.M. there really is no perceived need to allow time off to vote.   We encourage everyone to vote.   

I will vote next week - here in Southwest Ohio there are some crucial offices that are on the line - with some idiots running for them.    I will vote the way I always have - not FOR the best candidate, but AGAINST the village idiot.

I am such a consistent voter that the politicians who come to my door comment on it. I will vote again on Tuesday on my own time. I have not had time off for Election Day in many years.

I can get time off to vote if necessary...

I have voted already...we are registered as permanent absentee voters.   The silver lining to the current political cloud is that our youngest (22 year old) now 'gets' that every vote counts and is making a point of ensuring that his absentee ballot is completed AND MAILED early enough to ensure that his vote is counted.

We are pretty flexible here when it comes to taking time for voting.   Our company actually puts together a very handy booklet that outlines all the political races for each state in our footprint.

I have already voted.   My husband & I always take advantage of the opportunity to use early voting.   Now I just wish we could "turn off" the TV adds!   Our company allows time to vote if the polls are not open before or after your regular working hours.   Sometimes it is a case of voting against one candidate rather than for the other one.   It would be interesting to see what would happen if "none of the above" was a choice and that got the most votes.   Would there have to be another election??? Guess I will just hope & pray I voted correctly and that whoever wins does as good a job and he or she promised.

The polls here (Massachusetts) open early enough and stay open late enough so I can go before/after work.   And I do plan to vote next week, although I still am undecided on our gubernatorial candidate.

I am excited about the opportunity to vote in Georgia, the first state to go completely electronically.   I am a little sick of the political commercials, but having the President and VP drop in all the time for the important governor and senate races has been nice. The funniest one I heard this morning. It went something like this, "Would you vote for a person surrounded by scandal or a baby doctor?" You have got to be kidding me. "A baby doctor?"

Yes, I'm going to vote.   That's about as scary a prospect as Halloween itself!

No and No especially when you really only have the choice between bad and bad and you never know where their long term stand is on the issues.

We should have a national election day to ensure everyone has the opportunity to vote and children should still have to go to school that day and the subject taught the entire day should be the American government and how it works or should be working.   Many of the polling places should be at local schools so the children can see the process firsthand and be inspired to be the age of majority so that they may vote.   In addition, this would reduce the claims of teachers and administrative staff at the schools who may say it is discriminatory that they have to work that day.   They will be able to vote on their job site.   To remedy the day off aspect they could receive another day off or comp time.   Finally, when are they ever going to fix the election ballot system down in Florida?   But that is another area.

Time off to vote?   Is that a joke?   I'll vote, and I'll have all the time I need, because I need to take a vacation day--for reasons unfathomable, my children's day care is closed on election day.

We do not provide paid time off to vote.   The logic being that the polls are open for 12 hours and we work an 8-hour day.   It would be very interesting to actually give paid time off during an election to monitor any increase in voter turnout.   I think - sadly - that it wouldn't make much difference.   If you believe in the system and recognize how important each and every vote really is, you will find a way to vote.   If you feel disenfranchised and don't think your vote matters, you will find an excuse not to vote.   I don't think paid time off to exercise this most precious right figures in the equation.

Yes, I plan to vote on Tuesday.   We don't technically get time off to vote but no one minds if we come in late on Tuesday due to voting as long as we put in our 50+ hours per week.

I won't get time off to do it - but I am voting. Not only is it my civic duty, but the consequences of the wrong candidate winning are direr than any Halloween story.

1. No, I do not get time off from work to vote.   The polls in MD are open from 7am -8pm, so it is assumed one has time before and after work to get to the polls (Let's just hope that the new interactive voting machines work this time, instead of the FIASCO we had at the primaries!).

2. Yes!!! Most Emphatically YES!!!   I will be voting!!   I have never missed an opportunity to vote, since the vote was first given to 18 year olds -- way back when I was 18!!!!!

Thank you for asking!!!

With the hours that the polls are open in NY, there is no need to give associates paid time off.   We do adjust associates work schedule if they ask, to enable them to vote.   Of course, I will be voting.

No we don't get time off from work.   There really isn't a need to.   No one here has a long commute so they can easily get to the polls before or after work, and if you want to you can vote a week or two in advance.

While our company urges everyone to vote - we do not get time off to do so.   Arriving a few minutes late or leaving a few minutes early is accepted - as long as the reason is to vote.

I plan to vote at this and every election as long as I am able.   I think the right to vote is one of the best things about being an American citizen - and that we have a responsibility to find out the issues and make our choices known.   I am amazed that so few people recognize the freedom represented by the right to vote without any fear of reprisal or scare tactics at the polls.   This is still the best country in the world to live in & as citizens we should be proud to exercise the right to vote.   

No, we don't get the day off.   Yes, I plan to vote, being near Chicago, my vote may go in two or three times!

I will vote next Tuesday because I'll have plenty of time since I am being laid off tomorrow, and with this vibrant economy, I strongly doubt that I'll be reemployed by next Tuesday.

Here in Oregon all of our elections are "vote by mail".   This evening, my 21-year-old daughter and 18-year-old son and I have plans to sit down and examine the ballot measures and candidates.   After much discussion we will each complete our own ballots.     I have always tried to instill in my children the importance of voting.   As Robert Heinlein said in "Time Enough for Love", "there may not be anything you want to vote for, but there will always be something to vote against."

I do not get time off from work, but I plan on voting in the morning before I come in.   I probably will do that every election day for the rest of my life because I did that on primary day 2001 and it might have saved my life.   If I hadn't stop to vote, I would have either been in the lobby/concourse of the WTC or in the subway underneath it when the planes hit.   Stopping for those 5 minutes forced me to miss my usual subway and end up on the first one that was stopped at Chambers St.(the stop before the WTC).     Who says that when both candidates stink nothing good can come from voting?  

We do not have a set policy for taking time off to vote.   However, as a consulting firm we do not have set hours and most of us travel every week so voting is usually by absentee.   As to my personal voting I missed the absentee ballot deadline because of schedule changes and not being home for the last four weeks.

Absentee mail in ballots are a great way to avoid this problem!

Of course I'll vote it's my constitutional responsibility.   No time off but the company encourages it.

No time off for us.   Management's has said in the past that the polls are open from 7am to 7pm giving everyone a chance to vote.

I personally mailed in my ballot.

Don't need time off from work to vote.   Will do it on the way home.   (Only weenies need time off from work, Nevin.)

I'm in New Jersey - of course, I'm voting.   After all the national attention this state has received, I wouldn't miss the opportunity to "scream" my vote at the polls.

Thanks for asking.

Not much exciting happening in the Virginia elections.   No time off allowed.   I guess I will drag myself in before work on Tuesday.   Pretty heavy apathy even for a "vote in every election" voter.

Our handbook is silent on the issue.   However, the atmosphere is flexible enough to allow the time.   I do plan on voting - I'm just still not 100% sure for which candidates.

RE: voting -- no time off from work, but a good excuse to leave on time.   Yes, I'll vote (especially if they promise to cancel the TV commercials now!)

Time off work to vote?   Interesting concept.

But I will.   We live in a small town, with the polls only a few minutes away.   We also have flextime, so voting is no hardship!

Absolutely but without the trip to the polling place and waiting in line - thanks to Oregon's vote by mail process.   Will have had two weeks to decide and return my ballot.

I always vote, and converting to absentee ballot several years ago makes this a much more convenient process.   We have always allowed employees a couple hours off to vote, if necessary, but since the polling time here in Washington State was expanded a few years back, no one has asked.   I always remind the staff to vote early and vote often!

No, officially we don't get time off to vote, but we allow managers flexibility to work with their staff to ensure they have the opportunity to vote.   And, yes, I always vote, and in fact I've already voted, taking advantage of the advance voting process (versus absentee ballots) that is done locally as I'll be out of town on business Tuesday.

I'm definitely voting.   Fortunately we have absentee ballots in WA State and I can vote from the convenience of my kitchen table in the middle of the night, naked, if I want to!

I do plan to vote but do not get time off of work to do it.   I live in MA and have to decide which candidate for Governor is the lesser of two evils, but I guess that is politics in America today.

Yes to both.   I never miss an election.   I've voted by absentee ballot for many years so there is never an excuse not to vote.   Our company is very supportive in the community and provides for people coming in late or leaving early on Election Day.  

We encourage our associates to vote before or after work, however, if that is not possible, then they are allowed to arrive one hour early or leave one hour late as long as they have received prior approval from their supervisor.

I'll vote before going to work on Election Day.   Unfortunately, our gubernatorial campaign has been such a nasty mudfest that you hate to vote for either candidate.   But since I want the lesser of the evils to take office, I'll vote along party lines.   It's reached the point in this country where politics (and so many of the candidates) totally suck.  

Our company has employees in every state.   We do not provide for paid time off from work to vote unless it is mandated by the state.

No time off, but will definitely be voting to keep the Leftocrats from stealing more of my wallet!

We get time off to vote and I intend to do so.   I'm in Texas, and I want to get these cowboys out of office!   We have a whole lot of politicians in Texas who have suffered from brain fall-out.   They care more about big business and oil than the environment.   Apparently the children on their television ads are rented.   Surely no one with a child would actually do the damage these Republicans have done to this state's water, land and air.

Unfortunately, we do not get time off to vote.   However, you have to consider some of the candidates that we have to choose from, like the California Governor's Race.   Do you elect the incumbent who is worthless but can be bought or do you elect the challenger who can't run his own businesses or a functioning S&L.   With the state in a $12 billion deficit, will voting really help?   I mean, it is not like we are being overcharged for electrical power out here... no, no, wait, we are being over charged by PG&E...ahh the wonders of California politics.

Anyway, get out and vote is the attitude around here, even if you choices are cold two-day old coffee or hot two-day old coffee.   Either way, it is just really bad coffee.

We don't get time off to vote but yes I do plan to vote.  

Please include this in your survey - it may be the only count in which I'm included.   Signed, A Florida Absentee Ballot Voter