No More Lemon Bars for Voters

11/04/2008

Today's (Tuesday) the big day — election day. But in Washington state, only a small percentage of voters will actually go to their polling sites to cast their ballot. Most people do it by mail. KUOW's Sara Lerner spoke with one Seattle woman who will miss the in–person voting experience.

KING AND PIERCE ARE THE LAST TWO COUNTIES WHERE PEOPLE CAN WALK INTO A POLLING PLACE AND DO THEIR DEED IN PERSON. THAT IS, UNTIL THE END OF THE DAY. AFTER THIS ELECTION, IT'S ALL MAIL–IN ALL THE TIME.

OPPONENTS WORRY BALLOTS COULD GET LOST IN THE MAIL OR STOLEN FROM ONE OF THE COUNTY'S BALLOT DROP OFF SITES.

BUT VOTERS LIKE LYNN KRAUS PREFER NEIGHBORHOOD POLLING SITES FOR ENTIRELY DIFFERENT REASONS.

KRAUS: "There's these older retired women typically who kinda check you in and they're always very friendly and sweet."

LYNN KRAUS HAS LIVED IN SEATTLE'S MAPLE LEAF NEIGHBORHOOD FOR SEVENTEEN YEARS. SHE LOVES GOING DOWN THE STREET TO SACAJAWEA ELEMENTARY ON ELECTION DAY.

KRAUS: "Usually when you walk in the school it has kinda that smell, you know, like you remember when you were a kid and there's artwork. You can tell the kids have been working hard posting all their art up. and there's usually a bake sale..."

KRAUS SAYS SHE USUALLY BUYS A LEMON BAR OR AN OATMEAL COOKIE AND CHATS WITH HER NEIGHBORS.

KRAUS: "This is where people go and congregate and place their vote – you know – and it's an important part of our culture and our country. And I think we take it for granted. So I think the physical act of doing that along with the rest of the neighborhood. It just feels like this is the fabric of the country, you know."

KRAUS SAYS SHE'LL MISS IT, BUT SHE UNDERSTANDS WHY THE COUNTY WANTS TO POOL ITS RESOURCES INTO ONE ELECTION PROCESS.

BUT NUMBERS SHOW THE NEW MAIL–IN SYSTEM IS THE CHOICE FOR MOST KING COUNTY RESIDENTS. IN THE AUGUST PRIMARY, 95% VOTED BY MAIL.

IN COMING ELECTIONS, KRAUS DOES HAVE ONE OPTION IF SHE'S A DIE–HARD IN–PERSON VOTER. KING COUNTY IS REQUIRED TO OFFER CITIZENS A WALK–IN VOTING SITE. THERE WILL BE THREE OF THOSE AROUND THE COUNTY, WITH TOUCHSCREEN VOTING MACHINES TO HELP VISION AND HEARING–IMPAIRED VOTERS.

SO – IN WASHINGTON STATE, TODAY REALLY IS THE LAST TIME A PERSON CAN SHOW UP, EAT A LEMON BAR, DRAW A CURTAIN, AND DROP A BALLOT IN A BOX.

FOR KUOW NEWS, I'M SARA LERNER.

© Copyright 2008, KUOW