Can someone explain the voting process to me?

[DJ Disney Kid]

I've never voted before and Im getting nervous about what to expect. My mom said that years ago she went in to vote and didn't know what she was doing and doesn't even know who she voted for. I don't want to run into this same situation.

All I want to do is vote for a president. Is that possible? I am not familiar with people running for clerks and treasury and all that stuff in my area. So I don't want to be voting for people I am not familiar with. Can I walk in to the booth, vote for a president and then walk out or do the voting machines make you have to fill out the whole thing?

Also, how do these booths work? What should I expect to have to do when I get in there?

Also, what is the average wait at these places? I keep hearing on the news that people are waiting 2+ hours just to vote early. Should I be expecting to wait over 2 hours on the day of the vote?

Thanks for any help!

 

[L107ANGEL]

Your not forced to vote for any other candidate in any other election. You will need to bring your ID. I can't really predict what wait time you will have.
Good for you for getting out there and voting

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Right, you don't have to vote for every office or amendment. Skip whatever you want to. Wait times will vary, but I'd allow the 2 hours, if that's what you're hearing in your area. The poll workers are there to help and answer any questions. They can show you exactly how to do it (before you actually do it, to ensure privacy).

 

[Guy Incognito]

I've never voted before and Im getting nervous about what to expect. My mom said that years ago she went in to vote and didn't know what she was doing and doesn't even know who she voted for. I don't want to run into this same situation.

All I want to do is vote for a president. Is that possible? I am not familiar with people running for clerks and treasury and all that stuff in my area. So I don't want to be voting for people I am not familiar with. Can I walk in to the booth, vote for a president and then walk out or do the voting machines make you have to fill out the whole thing?

Also, how do these booths work? What should I expect to have to do when I get in there?

Also, what is the average wait at these places? I keep hearing on the news that people are waiting 2+ hours just to vote early. Should I be expecting to wait over 2 hours on the day of the vote?

Thanks for any help!

try this:

http://www.chicagoelections.com/

there's a link on the left side: "see your ballot" where you can apparently enter your address and it should show you what will be on the ballot (I assume you're in Chicago, since that's what it says under your avatar). That way you can look it over and see if there are any propositions/etc on it that you might want to support or oppose.... and, if you are so inclined, you can do a little research over the next couple days on any other candidates in local/state races, if you want to vote for them as well.

I've been looking over the ballot in my area, so I basically know what will be there and how I want to vote on them.... so I can just get in, punch through what I want and get out. The more informed everyone is, the quicker the lines should move.

 

[mjkacmom]

Districts have all different ways to vote, but they'll show you. I've never missed a single election (school board, even) in over 20 years - I hope you continue to vote!

 

[Guy Incognito]

here's another site for sample ballots.... this one lets you pick your state, then enter your address/city, so it's not just limited to the Chicago area:

http://vote-usa.org/?gclid=CIjM95vo1pYCFSMeDQodrg3i2Q

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You best bet is when you get there tell the first person involved with checking in that it is your first time. They will have someone show you the sample ballot and the technical procedures for voting. They will give you all the mechanics of what to do, but cannot make any suggestions as to who to vote for.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Congratulations on your first voting experience!

No, you don't need to vote for/on anything you don't want to vote on. You'll be able to vote for the president if that's all you want to vote on.

Poll workers should be able to explain how your machines work if you need some guidance.