I’m sure I’m not the only one that will still need to get work done and might end up in line to vote on Tuesday. I’ve pretty much prepared voting on Tuesday like I prepare for going on a 2 day there-and-back business trip while on some massive deadlines. It’s the busiest time of the year for us at MAKE & CRAFT so I need to get a lot of work done *and* vote in this election. Come with me as we explore the over or under-preparedness that will be my day… Chime in if you have some advice too!
Locations - Scoping out google maps… I see the voting location in my area is just down the block. The problem is that I’ve moved and my old address might require me to vote at a different location. I’ve tried to find out if it matters, but it’s not 100% clear - that’s ok, I’ll go to the place near me and worst case go to the voting location of my old address. This means packing a large bottle of water and 3 to 4 high protein snack bars for fuel and an extra laptop battery. I juiced up my Metrocard so I won’t need to stop and add more money on it.
Gear, I’ll bring along my Verizon EVDO card, a Wi-Fi booster, extra battery, and phone + MintyBoost charger. This gives me about 6 to 7 hours of total time on the laptop and a couple days on my phone. This way I can triage things from my phone and work on stuff when I need to. I’ll likely bring a folding chair to sit on too. We recently started doing MAKE customer support via Twitter, this basically means that anyone with a cheer/jeer/or support issue has a direct hotline to me. When I’m home it comes to my laptop or desktop, on the go - right to my phone. I’ll also check in with the rest of the world as I wait, it’s likely going to be completely bonkers out there.
Clothing, layers - I’ll need to shed and/or add layers throughout the day. Hat, scarf, jacket and umbrella. Just to be safe I’ going to pack a couple garbage bags to either wrap me or my gear if needed.
Digital camera, of course this all needs to be documented. I’m not in Florida or Ohio so it’s not like I’m expected some weird voting issues - but I’d rather have a digital camera and not need it than need one and not have it (sorta the way I feel about nuclear arms). I’ll bring along an extra battery and an extra SD card too.
Music player loaded with podcasts, let’s face it - waiting in lines is hostage time, so I’ll load up some of my favorite science shows to pass the time. Sounds boring I know, but I like these for exercising and line waiting.
Notebook with pen. Yah, old school but it will never let you down. At MAKE we made these cool “Maker Notebooks” and they’re lifesavers.
A friend, talking someone in to voting with you is pretty easy this year. There’s a buddy system that seems to have formed, no one knows what to expect, it’s completely unknown — should be some interesting times ahead and how can you not share them?
4 years ago, I don’t think I would be able to be completely connected and working while being in a line all day - modern day mobile professionals can really do it all, with a little planning and with a little help from their friends 
Happy election day folks!
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by mike / November 3, 2008
Have you ever given any thought to voting absentee. Washington is one state that allows all the time absentee voting. I voted a couple of 2 or 3 weeks ago. And the setup here applies to all elections.
Mike
by pt / November 3, 2008
and miss all the excitement and meeting people? never!