I voted in Minnesota today for Hillary Clinton.

[Eric J in MN]

I went to the Roseville City Hall around noon. I filled out a short form, then got a ballot. I was able to sit in a chair while filling out both. There were about 15 other voters there when I went, which was around noon. We got to put our ballots into the machine.

I also voted for US Rep Betty McCollum (D) among other candidates. And for the ballot measure for a commission to recommend the salaries of state legislators.

People in Roseville who voted early through October 31 had to drop off their ballots for an election worker to later feed into the machine, but from November 1 onward voters can feed the ballots into the machine.

[progree]

1. I had same experience - got to Golden Valley City Hall about 3:50 PM Nov 1

Only about 5 voters at the time. And likewise, I got to feed the ballot into the machine. One difference: I didn't vote for Betty McCollum, I voted for my rep Keith Ellison instead

[mascarax]

2. Ballot Measure

Thanks, Eric.
I haven't really heard about this ballot measure. DFLPrincess mentioned it awhile ago.
For you or anyone - why should this be a Yes?
Also asking to bring up to others because there really hasn't been much press about it (that I've seen). I don't think many people have even heard about it.

[question everything]

3. Look at this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10595052

Also, for what it is worth, the strib recommends YES, too.

http://www.startribune.com/vote-yes-on-pay-amendment-for-minnesota-legislature/397982441/

For nearly two decades, the Legislature has done the politically expeditious thing. It has not raised its own pay since 1997. Compensation for legislators has been stuck at a lean $31,140 a year, though legislators are also eligible for per-diem payments of up to $86 for senators and $66 for House members, and lodging reimbursement of up to $1,200 a month for those who must move to St. Paul during sessions.

That salary is not sufficient to attract the caliber of candidates this state’s government needs to fill a job that is billed as part time, but in reality is full time during sessions and part time for the rest of the year. Low compensation is complicating candidate recruitment, operatives in both parties confide. Over time, it risks populating the Legislature with people of independent means and/or those young enough — or desperate enough — to settle for a low-income job.

That’s not just our opinion. It’s the considered judgment of the bipartisan, purely advisory Minnesota Compensation Council, which in 2009 — after 10 years of unheeded calls for a salary boost for legislators — warned, “If elected public servants aren’t fairly compensated, we may not be able to attract highly qualified candidates who are broadly representative of Minnesota’s citizenry.”

[Eric J in MN]

4. The pay is too low but they don't want to vote to raise their salaries unless

...a commission says they should, making it less controversial.

[question everything]

5. So this is the difference

We were out of town so went to city hall two weeks ago. The clerk confirmed that we were registered, handed us a ballot that we filled and put in a brown envelope which subsequently was in an absentee ballot envelope. I did not check the label but I think it identified at least the precinct.

Later that week at a "Westside Progressive" meeting, someone said that she used to be an election judge but not any longer since it is too long. That, after the polls close, they then get these envelopes and they have to confirm, again, that they came from registered voters and then they feed the ballots to the machine.

I suppose this is how they know the stats of each precinct.

Still, someone else, who was a candidate in previous elections, was apprehensive about "chain of custody" of absentee ballots.