Pennsylvania has approximately 9 1/2 million registered voters.
Of those voters, approximately 4 million are registered Democrats. 3,450,000 are registered Republican and the remaining voters are Liberterian, Green… hippies.
In Allegheny County where I live, there are currently 525,505 Democrats and 261,784 Republicans.
In Greene County where I was born & raised, there are 10,000 Republicans to 9,000 Democrats. (It wasn’t always this way… my dad would be rolling in his grave to know he was now in the minority.)
And finally, 1.4 million voters in Pennsylvania requested a mail-in ballot for the upcoming race, and according to Harrisburg & ABC News, a little over 1 million have been returned so far.
I am one of those voters, received my ballot the first week of October. I mailed it back one week later, and thanks to the bean counters at PA.GOV, my vote was officially recorded on October 14.
I didn’t want to display my filled-out ballot at the top, I read recently that images of completed ballots posted on social media sites can be used to nullify that person’s vote.
SUFFICE IT TO SAY I VOTED DEMOCRAT ALL THE WAY.
I’ve been wanting to get on here and talk about this for weeks, but I get fired up too easily and I’m trying to watch my high blood pressure. I would like to say that the thought of Mehmet Oz being our senator sickens me greatly, he’s a flim-flam man and suckered me (and lots of others) before. I wrote about it years ago, here.
So all I can do is cast my vote and hope for the best.
And in the event Doctor Oz wins that Senate seat, I’ve found a seller on Etsy (with 5 star reviews) who makes customized voodoo dolls. I will be getting my needles ready.
Oh Doug, you are so witty! I loved reading this post and can affirm that I, too, am a lifelong Democrat. Voted the straight ticket. Wishing you the very best on this day when we get an extra hour (hahaha). :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you DJan! And fyi, that was one of the first things I liked about you. Wishing you the very best too and looking forward to this Sunday's column. 🙂
DeleteHe is an awful man. Did you see Oprah came to endorse Fetterman? Really seems like the least she could do after unleashing oz on us.
ReplyDeleteI did see that--and Debby, I couldn't agree more!! 🙂👍
DeleteI hope your guy gets elected. As for me, I didn't vote in the General Election. Democratic Party and Republican Party are both bad for different reasons.
ReplyDeleteWhat the--!! Well, thanks for the good wishes for Pa, Gigi! :^)
DeleteHi Doug, what a great way to vote! Couldn’t be simpler. We had elections recently here too. Even with online voting available I think voter turnout was only something like 38%. Any idea what percentage vote in Pennsylvania?
ReplyDeleteHi Robin! I think your low voter turnout is because Canadians seem to have more sense in their heads than half of my country!! I'm not kidding, I envy you guys! Actually, Pennsylvania has always had a high turnout, around 80% because we're one of the swing-states. I hardly understand it.
DeleteStill smiling about Debby's comment about Oprah. My ballot has been mailed in and I just hope gets counted. I always vote straight Dem ticket. Arkansas use to be a blue state till 2012. Since then, can't remember anyone I voted for being elected but I won't quit trying.
ReplyDeleteBetter hurry on those dolls, only 2 left:)
Patti, thank you my dear friend--and that's sad/strange about Arkansas, Pennsylvania was always a lot more blue too. Well I'm glad YOU'RE still blue! PS. I didn't even see that about the low doll count, haha!
DeleteI saw that Oprah endorsed Fedderman and I wondered why she got involved in a local race. So thanks for the reminder -- she's the one who got Oz started, right? That's why. Anyway, I too got my ballot in a couple of weeks ago. I make a point of never voting a straight ticket, because these days both parties to me seem like cults. But if you want to know, as a lifelong Dem. I voted for all Dems except one Rep. and one green hippy third party guy.
ReplyDeleteThat's right Tom, Oprah unleashed this wannabe Trumper so it's the least she can do! Well, I wish you could've voted a straight ticket but I like your honesty too. At least you take the time to try and know the various platforms. Hope you're feeling better today from your Shingrix.
DeleteDisturbing how Dr. Oz turned out to be such a 'flim-flam' man. Also applauding Debby's comment. Like you, I have to watch my blood pressure so can only watch the death of common sense in small doses. The polls are scary. I'd forgo the voodoo doll and just punch a pillow!
ReplyDeleteThank you Florence, and I love that statement about the death of common sense in small doses--it makes holding onto good people like yourself even more a priority. I have that pillow ready!
DeleteAs a Canadian, I am watching with interest the results of this most recent election. I'm reading that young people are voting in large numbers. This is a good thing because it means they are engaged. My hope is that the Democrats come out ahead too. AND if Oz wins the seat, I'll send you a extra box of pins. What an absolute creep making fun of a man who had a stroke. (Who by the way, can still put a sentence together that makes more sense than IQ45).
ReplyDeleteMaebeme, this was an awesome comment on your part--thank you, so well said! I didn't know that about the younger voters, but I love it, it gives me real hope. And you're right--Oz IS a real creep, if the man was a doctor he's hardly one now! Thanks again.
DeleteI will admit that I'm not a life-long Democrat. Being from New Orleans, I started out as a conservative Republican. But NOT ANYMORE! Many years back I realized that this was not a party I respected. Now, I'm not putting down all Republicans. I have many friends who are of that mindset. But although I haven't liked the road they've been on over the years, I'm really upset with what has happened to them recently (since 'you know who' has turned many against their own country). I don't know what will happen in the next elections, but I do know that due to the Republicans lately, I do fear for our country.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rian, I was very glad to read this. You know, there was a time when Republicans were a lot different than who they are now, and many in my own family were, and we all respected each other's opinions. That was then, this is now and I know the Democrats are far from perfect, but I DO worry that the current GOP will wreck our democracy. All we can do for now is take things one race at a time...
DeleteIf Hershel Walker and Oz win, democracy is over. It’s scary.
ReplyDeleteIt IS scary, Anon. I don't get Hershel Walker at all, at least Oz can fake some integrity. Walker's just a dangerous loser!
DeleteMy ballot has been counted too and I voted like you. (straight blue) I'm too terrified to do otherwise. I'm extremely concerned about Patty Murray in our state; Tiffany Smiley has flooded the airwaves with her smiling Trumper face. I've done what I can--but I'm very, very apprehensive about what happens next.
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret... and I am keeping my fingers crossed for you guys as well. It's funny, I never thought blue states like Washington & Penna would ever get such close races. This is exhausting.
DeleteI used to swing both ways (you know, vote for the best qualified candidates ---bahaha!!) but in today's political climate, that's not even an option. Hubby and I decided blue all the way this year. I actually saw a woman (senior & white) on tv yesterday who told the reporter that she was voting for a candidate for one reason, "because she's a republican." It's so outrageous to me that republicans refuse to learn about and consider which candidate is the best for the job and automatically dismiss all Democrats as libturds. They have forced me to vote a straight ticket for the first time ever; I don't like doing it, but what choice do we have? Btw, I have an aunt in PA who voted for Fetterman and is praying he wins, but hubby has fundie cousins on your side of the state who are guaranteed to vote for Oz & Mastriano! I simply do not understand how self-proclaimed devout folks can vote for hate.
DeleteGreat comment, Bobi thanks for sharing! Personally, I respect people like yourself who don't necessarily vote a straight ticket because you've studied both platforms. But I sure am glad this time round you did! ;^) As for your hubby cousins.. HOW could anyone vote for Mastriano. I honestly didn't think he stood a chance, he is honest-to-God dangerous! I'll be so glad when Tues is over :^(
DeleteI don't see this race being close. It will go blue or red. And we will be hard pressed to recover. I voted a straight blue ticket, probably the first time ever, and I am concerned.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Joanne (and if I'm being honest, voting blue too). I share your concern. 😔
DeleteAlways been a Democrat. Moved from the west side (blue) of WA State to the east side mostly red but am seeing this change. Biden carried my formerly red county. Two of the seats on this ballot had only one candidate both Republicans so we've got a ways to go here. Here's hoping.
ReplyDeleteOh boy! Well, good for you Celia--thank you for sharing. You guys have your work cut out for you, that's for sure. But I guess we all do.
DeleteI'd like a voodoo doll or two, I know who I'd like to stick a few pins into, one has weird blond hair and the other is Russian...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm glad you voted and went BLUE, go Democrats! I really hope they win.
Haha--River, both of yours were good choices. And thanks for the good wishes. :^)
DeleteI also voted Blue. It is worrying that we have some real dangerous nut-cases in the running. Even more worrying, they have followers.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear it Susan, thanks for sharing. And yes about the followers, too too true. 😕
DeleteYour ballot looks very similar to Hawaii's. And yes, me too. Voted Democratic all the way and mailed in our ballot last Monday. There's too much at stake around the country although Hawaii tends to be Democratic. Good grief! And yup, even Oprah is not liking Oz anymore. I'm sure she regrets putting him on the air. And what is this with people even considering voting for Hershel Walker? Sheesh!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Kay, and everyday I find another reason to like Hawaii. :^) As for Oprah, yes that's the LEAST she can do after unleashing that quack on us! As for Walker, omigosh you took the words right out of my mouth! :^O!!
DeleteThank YOU for showing me how we can find out if our ballots were received. I checked and it shows that my ballot was in their system. Yay!
DeleteHeyyy, how cool is that! Thanks Kay, and I'm glad you checked! :^)
DeleteI’ve always found it odd that when you register to vote you nominate a political party. I imagine that you can be targeted by your own side or the other mob with appropriate (or more likely these days) inappropriate messages (and worse, it seems).
ReplyDeleteHere we just register to vote.
Well Peter, you're free to keep your political affiliation to yourself, and vote for the opposing parties... I just prefer to shout I'm a Democrat from the rooftops. :^) I still admire how you do most things down your way, though!
DeleteWell, we have mandatory voting, so somewhere between 95 and 97 percent of the population votes.
DeleteWe also have preferential voting (which Americans amusing call Instant Runoff) and have had it for more than a hundred years, so if you like a small party, the Greens for example, you can put them first and then put your next best (Labor in my case). This usually means one of the major parties wins. However, in recent years, the Greens have actually won in a number of seats – inner suburbs of Melbourne and Sydney are hot beds of progressive politics.
Alas, it also means a couple of the appalling right wingers get in as well. That’s democracy, I guess.
I’m happy to say that I’m an inner city lefty/progressive, so depending on the candidate I’d vote Greens/Labor.
In your country I’d be considered an ultra lefty.
Interesting stuff, thanks for sharing Peter... to be honest, I'm still trying to wrap my head around mandatory voting, and whether or not that's a good thing!
DeleteYou have LOTS of people in Pennsylvania. Can't comprehend that number. I voted early in person. All Democrats. I grew up in a Republican family in Oklahoma. Yep, it's gotten so bad, I could feel when both of my parents rolled over in their graves and turned Democrat. After the long drive-through lines to drop ballots in the curbside boxes that were overflowing, and Trump putting his buddy in the postal system to slow it down, I like the early voting in person option. No crowds, friendly calm people, and no armed guards anywhere. Kansas even snuck in 2 Amendments that aren't even being mentioned. The Democratic party office said to vote no on both. One is to allow politicians to change the constitution for anything; after we just voted to NOT change it to keep women's rights! Might join the old hippies and move to Canada. I don't want my first 8 years of retirement dealing with the jerk again. Pray. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteLinda, good to hear how you voted (I admit it, I'm partial) and I'm very glad to hear you got to vote early. How is it in 2022 voting has become so difficult for many? We don't live in the United States of Cuba! Anyway, please don't move to Canada anytime soon. We need more citizens like yourself. Thanks for sharing Linda. 👍♥️🙂
DeleteWow - am I the only Republican who reads your blog? I won't get into candidates or issues here - we both voted and we'll see what happens. but I do wish Pennsylvania would stop waiting to count its mail-in and absentee ballots until election day. There is no reason why every state can't count the ballots and announce a winner within 24 hours of the polls closing. When Election Day becomes Election Week, it's not good for the country.
ReplyDeleteDavid I don't know if you're the only Republican here (haha) but you're the only Republican I really like! And speaking of like--I coudln't agree more about the delay in counting mail-in ballots! I hate that too! I prefer Election Day over Week as well, if we can help it. Thanks for your comment sir. :^)
DeleteI agree; they should be counting the votes and keeping a record as they come in, not wait until election day. Just don't announce the numbers until election day counting.
DeleteThe decision not to be allowed to count votes until election day was due to the fact that Republicans voted to against it. Mail in voting is far more popular than it ever has been, and 70% of mail in votes are from identified Democrats. It takes longer. Republicans voted, straight party line, to disallow the votes to be counted earlier. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/11/04/slow-vote-counting-wisconsin-pennsylvania/
DeleteOmigod I love it--and I should've known better! Thanks for sharing, Deb. :^)
DeleteStick a Pin in it for me, Oz nobody would even know who he was if it weren't for Oprah and even she didn't support him, but his opponent. We had a lot of Extremist Types on the AZ Ballot this Cycle, hopefully Sanity will prevail. AZ has mostly Democrats in the Major Cities and in the Rural Areas it's mostly Republicans. I'm a Moderate Independent myself {ie: Hippie, winks}, but since 2020 I've Voted Blue no matter who... since the opposition was hijacked by a Madman and his Acolytes and now Extreme Politics has replaced Conservative Values and is the Polar Opposite of what a Conservative View should be about anything and everything. We're so fractured as a Nation and it's disturbing whose getting into Politics these days and being taken seriously.
ReplyDeleteBohemian, good to hear from you (I almost missed this, it went to my spam folder for some reason). I'm glad to hear how you voted, and boy you are on target with everything else. I enjoyed your excellent comment here, THANK YOU. :^)
Delete😂😂😂 i loved your “nerd smile” & your voodoo doll idea♥️
ReplyDeleteThank you Courtney but that's not a nerd smile--it's a Boomer smile! As for the voodoo doll, oh he was so close... I may do it still just to punish him. :^)
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