The Public Ballot

Look, I voted!

I asked the pollworkers to not record my order in the pollbook, and they told me that they weren't recording anyone's. I got excited and told them that I was partially responsible, but I'm not sure they understood ;-) For me personally, it was a very symbolic victory.

Today I voted, and my ballot was secret.

This evening, Steve Madsen contacted me again with some great news regarding Powell's decision to not record voter order:

To be fair, it wasn't my idea (though I was going to ask about it) and it was at least county-wide (Delaware). It may have even been state-wide. It's been a long day, but I believe they told us yesterday during presiding judge training that word came down from the Brunner's office Friday that the old poll books were out. Instead, we used a simple list of precinct voters and highlighted them as they came in. While we still used the numbered "authority to vote" slips, the numbers were not recorded anywhere.

Ohioans are making it clear the secret ballot is invaluable to them.

I wish all my readers a fruitful and private Election Day.