I woke up at 6:30am to get a jump on the expected long lines at the voting booths today. Utah is switching to electronic voting machines across the state. The early voting has had notoriously long lines and today should be no different. As it turns out, the state has too few voting machines which as one would guess, create an environment which fosters lengthy lines and a healthy wait. Unfortunately, the sparse count of voting devices is not the only thing which will cause longer lines today.

With the anticipated longer wait in mind, I arose this morning early, headed out to the polls and arrived at about 7:45am. Looking around at the nearly empty parking lot, I was bewildered. As I approached the entrance to the elementary school where I was to cast my ballot, I was greeted (unsettlingly reminiscent of a visit to the local Walmart) by an older gentleman who smiled and said “The machines aren’t working. You can wait or cast a paper ballot”.

I decided to wait. I had eaten my last egg for breakfast so I made a trip to the local grocer and picked up eggs, milk and a few other things. Upon returning about 45 minutes later, the situation was unchanged. I cast my vote the old fashioned way and drove into work.

Overhearing the poll workers talking on the phone, it turns out that similar situations are happening at nearby voting locations as well.

So much for technology however, I am relieved that I can still read Erik’s blog.