@GG3604 That sounds good and the same here in Arizona for the things you mention.

Arizona, though, is also the only state in the nation that requires proof of citizenship.

There are also court rulings that challenge residency if there is "no intent to remain indefinitely."

(See: http://www.brennancenter.org/studentvoting/states/arizona )

These extra and somewhat unique rules in Arizona are due to the flood of illegal immigrants (or "undocumented aliens") that cross the border everyday.

I have no big gripe personally. I like the ease of voting here -- for me. Folks can also early vote by mail, and register on the Internet. Our use of paper ballots with then optical scanners also seems ...

@GG3604 That sounds good and the same here in Arizona for the things you mention.

Arizona, though, is also the only state in the nation that requires proof of citizenship.

There are also court rulings that challenge residency if there is "no intent to remain indefinitely."

(See: http://www.brennancenter.org/studentvoting/states/arizona )

These extra and somewhat unique rules in Arizona are due to the flood of illegal immigrants (or "undocumented aliens") that cross the border everyday.

I have no big gripe personally. I like the ease of voting here -- for me. Folks can also early vote by mail, and register on the Internet. Our use of paper ballots with then optical scanners also seems to work well.

I do believe, though, too many people qualified to vote get denied this for stupid reasons. I believe "disenfranchisement by typo," has happened, I believe married woman who failed to change their name can be turned away, I read just today that 70% -- yes, 70% of the votes from our soldiers overseas never get counted.

One case of how this was happening in Virginia was only resolved yesterday.

(See: http://www.insidenova.com/isn/news/politics/article/military_absentee_votes_to_be_counted/23442/ )

My complete point is simple: I like when, like they did in Virginia yesteday, when decisions or imporvements are made that help people. to vote.

I don't like it when, as sometimes happens, these decisions and imporvements are not made and people lose their right to vote for stupid reasons -- like the soldiers in Virginia.

And I hate it when political parties (mainly Republican, IMO) deliberately look for stupid reasons or technicalities to deny folks the right to vote. (and this does happen.. like voter caging, etc.)

(See: http://www.pbs.org/now/election-2008/question2.html )

@benaloy - Thanks for the good advise.

I will be doing a 'gradual withdrawal,' from Clipmarks (and my one other issues/ideas forum) starting Nov. 5th.

I made a personal commitment to support Obama -- and not let him or his ideas get trashed talked here or there.

It's a good forum, though. Lots of fine people. But there were also others who struck me as obvious anti-Obama trolls and no way should they be able to dominate the threads, esp. with rudeness, insults and nothing but unfounded smear campaigns.

This was not just a totally selfless endeavor. I found I learned things. Discovered cool things. I knew that developing and expressing one's ideas in a "robust," forum and debate is a lot ...

@benaloy - Thanks for the good advise.

I will be doing a 'gradual withdrawal,' from Clipmarks (and my one other issues/ideas forum) starting Nov. 5th.

I made a personal commitment to support Obama -- and not let him or his ideas get trashed talked here or there.

It's a good forum, though. Lots of fine people. But there were also others who struck me as obvious anti-Obama trolls and no way should they be able to dominate the threads, esp. with rudeness, insults and nothing but unfounded smear campaigns.

This was not just a totally selfless endeavor. I found I learned things. Discovered cool things. I knew that developing and expressing one's ideas in a "robust," forum and debate is a lot better than sitting in an ivory tower or whereever, writing some Grand Manifesto or Political Philosophy just out of your own ideas and with no input or consideration of what others think.

I think the candidates experience this too. Having to go out and talk in front of and to the American people does get through to them, while if they stayed in their bubble in Washington D.C. they would be out of touch.

I also wanted to 'wring out," any possible drop of ideas I might have about whatever election topics that came up. This thread is a good example. I wouldn't have though much about these bare bones election facts myself --- now I've learned about tactics of voter suppression, the horrid election procedures in Florida, etc.

It's cool that clipmarks keeps all these posts for us, nicely organized and can even easily be embedded onto websites.

As you see, I am willing to consider and exhaust any topic to its 2,000 character limit.

Be consoled for my writing future.

As you probably know, one of the good advices for learning and being a better writer is to: "Write. Write. Write!"

Appreciating a good story also helps.

Nov. 5th > I'll get back to that Great American Novel I have in my bottom desk drawer - get back to Photoshop, Podcast Maker, Final Cut, and InDesign.

CMIIW