Do You "Know" Your Presidential Ballot?
By: Tyler Thomason
Updated: November 1, 2012
The voting process here in Washington county seems to be pretty simple.
"It was easy to read and easy to follow," says Sue Morse, after voting Wednesday.
"Walked in, got it done, got in and got out," says Jared Washington, also after voting Wednesday.
But what about some of those "other" names on the presidential ballot.
Do voters know "who else" is on the presidential ticket, vying for that house on Pennsylvania Avenue?
"Uh, no I don't," Washington says as he looks at a picture of a lesser-known presidential candidate. "Nope. I don't no who that is either," he says after he looks at another one.
Voter Scott Davenport has the same problem, "I don't know who that is," he says while looking at the same photograph.
Voter Elizabeth Bainbridge takes a guess, also looking at the picture, "The tax collector?"
After realizing he's a candidate for presidential office, she replies, "Oh, really?"
Presidential candidates like Gary Johnson, representing the Libertarian party.
Davenport looks at a photo of Johnson, "That's uh, Steve Womack, the congressman?" After hearing who it is, Davenport responds, "I did not know that either."
Or what about Peta Lindsay, she's siding with the Socialist party.
Washington takes a look at a photo of her, "Uh, nope. I don't no who that is either," Washington replies as he laughs. "I really don't know what to say."
And last but not least, Jill Stein, the Green party selection.
Someone's gotta recognize one of these three right?
"I don't think so,"says Sue Morse. "Now I feel really stupid," as she laughs.
Granted, most voters already know who they're picking when they reach the polls, but a couple extra names might catch you off guard.
"It was surprising to see that there were two or three other people running for president," Bainbridge says.
"I was just as surprised as anybody, it's very possible that there is going to be somebody you have no idea," Davenport adds.
And whether some of the names are known or not, most folks do recognize the opportunity that awaits.
"Let's get out there and vote because it's the only voice we have," Morse says.
