I've been debating voting early in Kane County. I'd kind of really like to get it out of the way... but I'm undecided and there is still so much that could happen between now and election day that makes me hesitant to do so. :/ Things could change.

I respect your right to still be "undecided" at this point in the campaign. But I don't freakin' understand it one bit.

"undecided" means "I want to vote for the eventual winner"

And how does one do that prior to the election results being reported? Are there time machines I'm unaware of?

I share the confusion about being undecided at this point, but let's remember: There is far more than one race to vote on; and some people just go through a different, and often slower, process in making up their minds.

Maybe it's not the Presidential race she's undecided about. Anyway I voted this (Tuesday) morning and it was crowded. The poll workers said they were busy yesterday and expected that, it being the first day and a holiday. They were surprised about the crowd this morning. It felt a great deal like voting on Election Day.

Sorry, one more thing, Jenny:

I want as many buffers between the popular (read: stupid) vote and my elected officials as possible.

This has as much to do with protecting the rich elite from the poorer masses as anything to do with stupidity and intelligence.

Ingrid - No. The votes aren't tabulated until Election Day and are then added to the totals.

and do you really think that back in the day, when the framers were chillin and decided on the electoral college that in their minds "poor" wasn't synonymous with "stupid" or at least "uneducated"? Come on.

Of course it was, but it wasn't true, of course. It was in large part the rich and connected protecting their interests, and using the model of the Roman Republic--hardly "democractic"--instead of opening the system to more influence to the lower classes. I just think you need to realize the College is perhaps not as benevolent as you make it out to be.

I care that after 19 months, anyone can honestly look at the two candidates and not be smart enough to a) find a myriad of differences between the two and b) choose between those differences based on one's own ideology.

Well, for one thing, not every voter starts paying attention as early as you do. Some wait until well after Labor Day. As well, the increasing problems with the economy is likely making at least some voters reconsider their loyalties, at least for this election. There has been ample coverage of this in the press in recent weeks. As well, not everyone has an "ideology," whether you like it or not. And some people are influenced by last-minute ad campaigns and the like. Finally, as some people take forever to shop for consumer goods, some take forever to "shop" for candidates.

I made up my mind a while ago--not as early as you did, but before June--and would rather not assume that people who've yet to decide are dumb. I think that's far too general.

Jenny: I'd rather keep the ignorant masses from influencing my life, too, that would require we take such steps as 1) outlawing pop culture, which almost always serves to dumb-down; 2) outlaw internet comment boards, which tend toward mob mentalities and personal insults; 3) require everyone to read all the classics and 4) have the smart and brilliant among us bunker down in intellectual compounds.

Seriously, though, I think your ideas, as well meaning as they might be, would require a serious redefinition of what citizenship is.

Do you not think some of the factors listed above are influencing at least some undecided voters?

Finally, to play devil's advocate for both of us, a report linked at Capital Fax this morning throws some cold water on the whole idea of swing voters and undecided voters. If you haven't already read it, you might enjoy it.

Don't yall get it? Matilda just argues to argue. She picks the most logical argument and baits that person. What do you expect from a precocious 12 year old?

Oh and as far as LauraH goes, is there any one confused that after the longest campaign in history, she is "undecided"? She is after all from Kane County. "so much could happen" please

Yea I hold my vote back until the last day, but I just like voting on Election Day in my rinky dink precinct where were lucky in 200 people come out and vote.

Don't yall get it? Matilda just argues to argue. She picks the most logical argument and baits that person. What do you expect from a precocious 12 year old?

OK, here is a test, assuming you think there are undecided voters out there. Why do you really think they are undecided? Certainly, some would have trouble picking out their coffee in the morning, but it is plausible to wonder if there aren't other reasons, too. For instance, the WSJ recently ran stories about working-class women in Indiana who, despite years of voting GOP, now are thinking about voting for Obama because of the economy. And certain states once thought safe for the GOP-Virginia among them--are now in play, suggesting that at least some non-dumb people are changing their minds even at this late date.

Please argue based on facts and ideas, not personal feelings toward me or anyone else who passes time here. Spook, you think I'm an idiot. I get it. I am not that stupid that I failed to get your message around the 12th time you stated it. I accept that you continue to think I'm an idiot, and, apparently, a preteen girl skipping school or abusing study hall privileges. I will never change your mind so you can stop; trust me, my feelings are wounded but I will survive, somehow, perhaps with the help of religion or therapy or beer.

That said, what do you think, not about me, but the issue at hand?

This has as much to do with protecting the rich elite from the poorer masses as anything to do with stupidity and intelligence.

Ha, I agree with Matilda. The electoral college is a sham. Also it's worth noting that 'the masses' are now an urban population rather than the rural farmer john that's protrayed as 'joe america'. If anything the electoral college gives rural bible bangers more say then they deserve. It should be one person, one vote. Our system's absurd.

As for the undecided voter I'll go with that Daily Show video which describes the demographic:

Racist Democrats
Chronically Insecure
Attention Seekers

And 45% Stupid.

PS: Did anyone see this:

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1849906,00.html

Seriously? Voting when I was in school was easy, I went down to the dorm basement in my pjs at 10 am and went to the machine sans a line.

If the voting lines are going to be nuts, why not suggest ppl to early vote or absentee? Frankly, I just think its an excuse for young voters who are vocal about how cool voting is, but don't actually get off their asses to exercise the right to vote.