Octopus Overlords

Posted: **Wed Oct 14, 2020 6:31 pm**

Our mail in ballots arrived today.

Seeing Kanye’s name on there makes me want to vomit.

Posted: **Wed Oct 14, 2020 8:19 pm**

President Donald Trump urged California Republicans to defy a state order to remove fake "official" ballot drop boxes after numerous top officials called them "illegal."
...
Trump, however, urged the party to fight the order in court.

"You mean only Democrats are allowed to do this? But haven't the Dems been doing this for years?" the president tweeted, drawing a dubious comparison between the boxes and the legal "ballot harvesting" efforts by Democrats that have drawn his ire. "See you in court. Fight hard Republicans!"

Trump's call came after Becerra, Padilla and Gov. Gavin Newsom, all Democrats, labeled the Republican effort "illegal."

"Nothing reeks of desperation quite like the Republican Party organization these days -- willing to lie, cheat, and threaten our democracy all for the sake of gaining power," Newsom tweeted. "These unofficial drop boxes aren't just misleading, they are illegal."

Trump's comments also came after the California Republican Party already vowed to defy Monday's order.

"Screw you!" Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., said in response to Newsom's tweet, according to Politico. "You created the law, we're going to ballot harvest."

Posted: **Wed Oct 14, 2020 8:45 pm**

Houston

Drive-thru and curbside voting programs in Harris County can continue after a state appeals court Wednesday quickly threw out a last-minute lawsuit filed by the Texas Republican Party challenging the county's efforts to provide more voting options during the coronavirus pandemic. The state GOP had filed suit Monday night asking the court to place limits on curbside voting and halt drive-thru voting.

The appellate judges said the party and a voter who filed the suit did so too late, and did not show how they specifically might be injured by the voting practices. The lawsuit was filed just hours before early voting polls opened and more than a month after the Harris County Clerk announced his plan for drive-thru voting.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 10:51 am**

Been in line to vote for an hour and ten minutes and still not inside the building. Looks like they are processing about one person per minute. This sounds good until 200 people show up. Polls opened at 9 and I got here at 9:20. Line is longer than when I arrived.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 10:55 am**

stessier wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 10:51 am Been in line to vote for an hour and ten minutes and still not inside the building. Looks like they are processing about one person per minute. This sounds good until 200 people show up. Polls opened at 9 and I got here at 9:20. Line is longer than when I arrived.

Just pretend you're getting a new driver's license with real ID. You'll be pleasantly surprised when you get inside in the next few hours.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 11:01 am**

LawBeefaroni wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 10:55 am
stessier wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 10:51 am Been in line to vote for an hour and ten minutes and still not inside the building. Looks like they are processing about one person per minute. This sounds good until 200 people show up. Polls opened at 9 and I got here at 9:20. Line is longer than when I arrived.
Just pretend you're getting a new driver's license with real ID. You'll be pleasantly surprised when you get inside in the next few hours.

Yeah, I'm fine. I've got an MP3 player and an practicing standing at parade test. Fun times.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 11:09 am**

People show up at 2AM to get their license renewed in nj. We really need to get our shit together.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 11:09 am**

At 1:28, I've made it inside the building. 51 people in front of me to the next door.

While mask compliance is high, about 90%, they have us about two feet apart inside this gym. Not feeling great about that considering I'm likely here for another hour.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 11:33 am**

I went by to try to early vote this morning. The line was so long I couldn't see the end of it. This is in a Republican suburb, though the demographics are changing. While Pete Olson is retiring, it's likely a Republican replacement and a former sheriff at that. On the plus side, apparently he's not that extreme as his primary opponent ran some crazy QAnon-like conspiracy theories.. so there's that. In addition, he's a strong advocate of training programs and mental illness awareness.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 12:03 pm**

stessier wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 11:09 am At 1:28, I've made it inside the building. 51 people in front of me to the next door.

While mask compliance is high, about 90%, they have us about two feet apart inside this gym. Not feeling great about that considering I'm likely here for another hour.

2:25 and still 18 people from the next room.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:07 pm**

Final time was 2:59:08. End of the line was in the same place it was when i got in it.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:09 pm**

I dropped the ballots for my wife and I in the mail this morning. If I had any reservations about the outcome in MA I would've done early in-person voting or a drop box, but I don't so I didn't. It was nice, even if I do enjoy the ritual of in-person voting.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:09 pm**

stessier wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:07 pm Final time was 2:59:08. End of the line was in the same place it was when i got in it.

Well, good for you for sticking it out.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:20 pm**

Holy cow. I'm hoping when I try to vote next week the lines are thinned out a bit. Well, actually, I would like the lines to be thin *when I'm there*; it's encouraging to see so many people trying to vote early. But less encouraging that it sounds like the line is just moving super slowly.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:43 pm**

Math:
All my counting indicates they really were processing about one person per minute. Talking with the poll workers, the polls are open from 9-4:30 and they've been finishing the last voter at 6:30. That would suggest steady activity throughout the day. That's about 570 people per day.

There are 24 days of early voting with 5 locations and there are 5 days of only one location. If the pace is the same at every location, and i have no way to verify that, it would mean 71,250 early votes. At the least census, our county had 477,000 people. Figure 70% are eligible to vote. That would mean 71,250 of 333,900 = 21% of the county voted early in person. This does not include mail in ballots (which were being dropped off throughout my time in line).

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:32 pm**

If you haven't seen it, this is a really cool site. It allows you to see on a state by state level how many people have voted and the % of the 2016 vote total that would account for. SC is doing pretty well at almost 20% of the 2016 totals already having voted. Hopefully this pace keeps up or at least only slightly slows down.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:44 pm**

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:32 pm If you haven't seen it, this is a really cool site. It allows you to see on a state by state level how many people have voted and the % of the 2016 vote total that would account for. SC is doing pretty well at almost 20% of the 2016 totals already having voted. Hopefully this pace keeps up or at least only slightly slows down.

Those appear to be just the mail in ballots. Still impressive, but only part of the story.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:45 pm**

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:32 pmIf you haven't seen it, this is a really cool site.

I like that.

In Maine, close to 100,000 ballots have been returned by mail. They've come in 3 to 1 from Democrats over Republicans. Democrats asked for 188,280 mail-in ballots, Republicans asked for 67,405 - basically 3 to 1 again.

In 2016, 731,433 people in our state of 1,344,000 people voted - roughly 54.4% of the overall population.

I'm sincerely hoping the Trump/Collins ticket gets plastered in this state 3 to 1 as well. I know there's a lot of time left and a lot of rural communities with more Republicans are less worried about getting to the polls than our Bluer, denser regions.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 3:12 pm**

stessier wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:44 pm
Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:32 pm If you haven't seen it, this is a really cool site. It allows you to see on a state by state level how many people have voted and the % of the 2016 vote total that would account for. SC is doing pretty well at almost 20% of the 2016 totals already having voted. Hopefully this pace keeps up or at least only slightly slows down.
Those appear to be just the mail in ballots. Still impressive, but only part of the story.

I'm not entirely clear on that - the first tab is labelled Total Mail-in Ballots Returned or In-Person Early Votes. And SC is a bit weird in that I think in-person early voting is still considered absentee and so maybe listed in the mail-in ballot numbers?

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 3:14 pm**

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 3:12 pm
stessier wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:44 pm
Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:32 pm If you haven't seen it, this is a really cool site. It allows you to see on a state by state level how many people have voted and the % of the 2016 vote total that would account for. SC is doing pretty well at almost 20% of the 2016 totals already having voted. Hopefully this pace keeps up or at least only slightly slows down.
Those appear to be just the mail in ballots. Still impressive, but only part of the story.
I'm not entirely clear on that - the first tab is labelled Total Mail-in Ballots Returned or In-Person Early Votes. And SC is a bit weird in that I think in-person early voting is still considered absentee and so maybe listed in the mail-in ballot numbers?

It's true, it's called Absentee In Person voting, which is kinda nuts. So you might be right.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:12 pm**

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:32 pm If you haven't seen it, this is a really cool site. It allows you to see on a state by state level how many people have voted and the % of the 2016 vote total that would account for. SC is doing pretty well at almost 20% of the 2016 totals already having voted. Hopefully this pace keeps up or at least only slightly slows down.

That's kind of nuts. It is saying Texas has 29% of the 2016 election turnout already. Early voting started 3 days ago (and 80% of the votes so far are in person).

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:15 pm**

coopasonic wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:12 pmThat's kind of nuts. It is saying Texas has 29% of the 2016 election turnout already. Early voting started 3 days ago (and 80% of the votes so far are in person).

Voting stations here in Austin have been CRANKING for the last 3 days. Lines are long despite moving pretty quickly. Turnout is just off the charts.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:30 pm**

I had no idea. Since I haven't really left the house in 7 months and get most of my news from here I just wasn't seeing it. I keep telling my wife we need to go when they start the day at 7am, but she isn't having it.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:34 pm**

coopasonic wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:30 pmI keep telling my wife we need to go when they start the day at 7am, but she isn't having it.

For what's its worth, here in Austin, first thing in the morning is NOT the way to go. Too many people trying to vote before work. If you can swing it, try about 10AM.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:38 pm**

Little Raven wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:34 pm
coopasonic wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:30 pmI keep telling my wife we need to go when they start the day at 7am, but she isn't having it.
For what's its worth, here in Austin, first thing in the morning is NOT the way to go. Too many people trying to vote before work. If you can swing it, try about 10AM.

But don't things just get worse throughout the day?

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:43 pm**

LordMortis wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:38 pmBut don't things just get worse throughout the day?

No. The number of people trying to vote varies throughout the day. You get a big rush at the start, then things drop, then a lunch rush, then a drop again, then a big after work push.

Of course, this varies from location to location, but that's the general trend. For instance, one of my friends got in line at 7 AM yesterday - opening time. Waited for about 55 minutes. When he left, the line was half as long as when he arrived.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:45 pm**

I would also assume that you'd want to wait a week or two after early voting started. I'd assume the first few days in particular are going to be crowded with the people super eager to vote.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:48 pm**

El Guapo wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:45 pm I would also assume that you'd want to wait a week or two after early voting started. I'd assume the first few days in particular are going to be crowded with the people super eager to vote.

That's MY logic. I'll let you know next week if it pans out.

Posted: **Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:51 pm**

Yeah our plan is to go next week after things hopefully calm down.

Posted: **Sat Oct 17, 2020 11:43 am**

Octavious wrote:People show up at 2AM to get their license renewed in nj. We really need to get our shit together.

My daughter had to do that. They camped out in Randolph at like 3am to get a bracelet, and they were already like 30th in line. When they finally got in at 930 or 1000, her friend that was with her didn’t have enough documentation and almost lost his shit. His mom was with them luckily and had some information in her purse that allowed her to sign something to vouch for his identity and address and he got his license.

Some other guy was waiting with them for the 6 or 7 hours, and when it was his turn they politely informed him that the Randolph NJMVC wasn’t performing that particular service that he needed at the moment.

Posted: **Sat Oct 17, 2020 4:26 pm**

RunningMn9 wrote: Sat Oct 17, 2020 11:43 am
Octavious wrote:People show up at 2AM to get their license renewed in nj. We really need to get our shit together.
My daughter had to do that. They camped out in Randolph at like 3am to get a bracelet, and they were already like 30th in line. When they finally got in at 930 or 1000, her friend that was with her didn’t have enough documentation and almost lost his shit. His mom was with them luckily and had some information in her purse that allowed her to sign something to vouch for his identity and address and he got his license.

Some other guy was waiting with them for the 6 or 7 hours, and when it was his turn they politely informed him that the Randolph NJMVC wasn’t performing that particular service that he needed at the moment.

I would lose my mind.

Posted: **Sat Oct 17, 2020 4:49 pm**

Our DMV succcckkssssss. Its slowwwwww. No matter when you go you'll be there at least 4 hours. Doesn't matter how many people are there. Me and my wife started going to the next county over to get ours. Its a small town with 1 red light and you walk in and its your turn. Takes maybe 5 minutes. We would make a day of it. its about 20 min from here and after getting our license we'd go eat at the little country place then visit the winery for wine and some jewelry then the Mennonites farm for some organic foods and then home. I went last year to get my new one and ate at our old spot but skipped the rest. Felt strange and sad doing that alone.

Posted: **Sat Oct 17, 2020 8:57 pm**

I passed a house today that had a huge banner hanging from his garage that said TRUMP 2020: NO MORE BULLSHIT!

And for the life of me I can't figure it out. Hasn't the last 4 years been nothing BUT bullshit? What bullshit is he talking about? I'm having trouble even understanding it from a Trump supporter's perspective.

Posted: **Sat Oct 17, 2020 10:15 pm**

Little Raven wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:48 pm
El Guapo wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:45 pm I would also assume that you'd want to wait a week or two after early voting started. I'd assume the first few days in particular are going to be crowded with the people super eager to vote.
That's MY logic. I'll let you know next week if it pans out.

20 minutes in Westlake this am at about 10am. The location we went to had a daily total posted and there were increases in total daily numbers every day.

Posted: **Sat Oct 17, 2020 10:26 pm**

YellowKing wrote:I passed a house today that had a huge banner hanging from his garage that said TRUMP 2020: NO MORE BULLSHIT!

And for the life of me I can't figure it out. Hasn't the last 4 years been nothing BUT bullshit? What bullshit is he talking about? I'm having trouble even understanding it from a Trump supporter's perspective.

I’ve got one of those in my neighborhood. It makes me want to burn their house down.

Posted: **Sat Oct 17, 2020 10:58 pm**

YellowKing wrote: Sat Oct 17, 2020 8:57 pm I passed a house today that had a huge banner hanging from his garage that said TRUMP 2020: NO MORE BULLSHIT!

And for the life of me I can't figure it out. Hasn't the last 4 years been nothing BUT bullshit? What bullshit is he talking about? I'm having trouble even understanding it from a Trump supporter's perspective.

There was a political rally ~30 minutes from my house today and at least one GOP official spoke. This is what one had to say:

"I have to admit, our president is an unconventional president," said Joseph Pennacchio, Republican senator of New Jersey's 26th District and the keynote speaker at Saturday's rally. "I think he tweets too much, he destroys the Kings English. But there's one thing I know that this president does: this president has got my back."

...

"For all those reasons, and dozens and dozens more, I support Donald Trump because I believe in Donald Trump," Pennacchio said. "I believe in the fact, wholeheartedly, that he's putting America and America's interests first. He's worked for us, so it's now our turn to work for him."

Cultists. Apologists. Enablers.

Posted: **Sat Oct 17, 2020 11:03 pm**

The idea that a human being could look at this narcissistic clown and think that he’s capable of putting *anything* first, other than himself. Or that he has your back. How is this even possible? F all of these people. I’m done with the lot of them.

Posted: **Sat Oct 17, 2020 11:05 pm**

I mean, I think the core message at the end of the day is "The president is a big racist, which means that he's putting white people first. I'm a white person, and most of you are white people, so he's putting us first. So we should support him."

Posted: **Sat Oct 17, 2020 11:08 pm**

Right. "Maybe he's got his hand in a few pots he shouldn't but if you want to keep 'them' down - *wink* *wink* - then he's got you." There isn't much else left there.

Posted: **Sat Oct 17, 2020 11:29 pm**

Smoove_B wrote: Sat Oct 17, 2020 10:58 pm
"I believe in Donald Trump," Pennacchio said

One envisions his nose getting longer every time he speaks.

Octopus Overlords

Election integrity and the transfer of power

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