A report from the field in Ohio...

From my wife:

I don't usually comment on here -- although I'm always up to speed b/c of my husband. In any case, I was in OH today (Hamilton County/Cincinnati). I worked the polls doing voter right protections (wore the "official" white coat of the voting rights team and everything).

Overall, I was relieved by what I saw. I worked 3 polling places, 2 of which were in low-income neighborhoods, and 1 that bordered lower and middle income neighborhoods. There were Repug challengers in the 2 low-income sites (of course), but the Ds had their own folks on hand to combat. They worked hard to ensure there was a lawyer in most of the polling places -- especially after the early morning Fed appeals court ruling. From what I saw, things ran smoothly in most cases, and folks cast their ballots unfettered.

There were of course some problems. In a couple of polling places in downtown Cincinnati, Repugs were challenging a lot, causing long lines, up to 4-hour waits, and resulting in some voters leaving before they voted because they had to get to work or pick up kids. I encountered an interesting problem --a woman who'd lived and voted in the same place for 13 years was told she couldn't vote. Why? Because her signature didn't match her name (in OH you don't have to show ID - just sign and they match the John Hancocks). Why? Because they had put her SISTER'S signature by her name and vice versa. They sent her away (crying). She came out and told me what happened, and I went in with her and told them legally they were required to give her a provisional ballot until the issue could be resolved. Of course, they never offered the ballot to her (even though legally they should have), but when I started reading the law to them and said I'd be happy to call the authorities, they decided they "could live with" giving her the provisional. Very considerate of them to "let" her exercise her Constitutional right.

On a happier note, there were many new voters -- and a fair number of folks in their late 30s and 40s. Many asked for assistance on how to vote, and, well prepared thanks to K-E Cincinnatti, we were able to show them how to vote and instruct them to swipe the back of the ballot to make sure there were no HANGING CHADS. Yes, still using chads in OH.

And that was my day in OH. Rain and all, moods were high and so was turnout. A big plus for our guy...now we wait...I just hope not too long.