Traffic was backed up going into the Jackson County Election Center.

From the curb at Election Center

From our crew at Election HQ:

The ballot box is open for an hour longer. Procrastinating voters are lined up at least two blocks down Main Street, while others find it faster to walk. Trays of 240 ballots are emptied every half hour. Inside the election office people are reading through voter’s pamphlets, making corrections and registering to vote. In the back room, hand tallies and signature verification is in process.

Moving to Canada!

 

At tonight’s Blue Bash at the Ashland Armory, Democrats have their eyes glued to the screen, anxiously awaiting news from the polls. There is talk around the Bash that if McCain wins, they are going to pack up and move away. Mike Morgan of Ashland Ore., said “ you can come find me in Mexico or Canada if McCain Wins”. Democrat Betsey Lewis said she “ couldn’t live in a country ran by McCain”.

Obama hopefuls are excited at the idea of a new president in office. Ashland Ore.,  high school student Kai Lewis-Kelly declared, “Change is coming”. Many of the Democrats at the Bash are confident that Obama will win, yet when asked how they would feel if McCain came out on top, Kieran Devine commented that she “wouldn’t want to be an American if that happened”. 

“It’s going to take more than one man…”

From our Reporting team in downtown Medford:

Voters in Medford are enjoying the race of the polls in different ways on this election night.  While some mingle with members of the party at the Red Rock Italian restaurant, others relax away from the glow of televised results and the chaos of crowded hotspots.  At Elements Tapas Bar and Lounge, Leesa and Scott Henselman shared their views on what is purported to be the most important election of our time.

“No matter how passionate you are for the individual you voted for, it’s going to take more than a man to get out of this mess,” Leesa said.  “It’s important to support the process and rally behind our president no matter who you voted for. We’ll be more unified and better off for it.”

Scott commented that that the vast importance of this election stemmed from issues affecting the not only the country, but the world as a whole. “We are facing a very tenacious period as a human species,” Scott said.  “As our world grows smaller through communication and technology, there are things more important than our communal problems.”

“Our country has been run into the ground,” Leesa said.

Although the presidential race coming to a close this evening has overshadowed local issues in the media, they were quick to point out that the president cannot affect change alone.

“The president as an office holder has limited power, but has a significant amount of influence as the representative of our country,” Scott said.  “With a mixture of Democrats or Republicans in Congress you won’t see much change.  If there is a landslide one way or the other you see change.”

Blue Bash

Area Deomcrats gather at the Blue Bash in downtown Ashland. (photo by Bethany Pahl).

Lots of Enthusiasm from Democrats at the Armory

Democrats are all cheers tonight at the Armory as they are dilgintley following tonight’s elections.  Democrat Sherri Morgan of Ashland was very happy to see a response at this level of enthusiasm. She would love to see a black president and put prejudice behind us. She was brought to tears when she said that watching this historic moment was like watching the Berlin wall fall down. When asked how she was feeling at the moment, Morgan said  “ It is going to be a blow out. This is good because it shows there is a mandate for change. But at the same time we need to remember republicans still have issues that need to be met so we need to cooperate with one another.” Organizer of the Blue Bash, Gary Moore said, he has been working on this election for three years and thinks “Obama is absolutely cool”. 

 

 

 

Students at Greensprings Residence Hall watch the election returns. (Photo by John Crow)

Three Quotes from 4 Daughters

Our reporting team at 4 Daughters in Medford sends us the following comments:

“This is an immensely historic election,” says Kyle Pace.

“I think that the national election has absolutely overe shadowed the local and county elections,” says Jack McCauley.

“People are more interested in senatorial races with the possibility of one party taking over,” adds Pace.

Wow! Way to go Jackson County!

Our student, Teresa Beskow, at Jackson County Election Headquarters reports that as of this moment, 90,709 ballots have arrived to be counted.  That’s a phenomenal 75.72 voter turnout!

Game over!?!

So, we’re watching CNN like everybody else, and they’re playing number games, but it looks like there’s no way Obama can lose.  With Iowa just added in, and assuming California, Washington, and our own fair state go in the blue column, apparently he’s over the 270 mark.  Anybody else see anything we don’t?