Election Day 2008! This one feels like Christmas.

I voted early by mail this year. I’ve read the arguments that early voting is a cop out, but let me just say this: Where I vote, here in beautiful Prescott Arizona (yes, you saw my town on T.V. last night when all the networks featured John McCain’s midnight rally), the poll workers are very, uh, social. They chat loudly about all kinds of things.

I presume they won’t have time to chat today, in that the predicted turnout will keep them hopping. However, in the past, I found this behaviour extremely distracting while going through the propositions and trying to mark the right vote. Even with a cheat sheet.

I realize these folks are there for 15 hours and I applaud their commitment. I probably couldn’t keep quiet for that long. But c’mon. I generally cast my vote at 6:00 a.m. and expect it to be quiet and somber, befitting the occasion.

So, since I voted weeks ago, for today, I’m going to be knitting and watching the returns. Oh. And probably sipping a free cup of coffee from Starbucks. (Yes, I think it’s ok to pat yourself on the back after you vote or give blood buy looking for some freebies!)

Here’s a hodge-podgey roundup of things election-related, plus one extra that’s not.

Free things on election day
Election Day Freebies
Best Election Day Sites and Tools
25 Ways to Spice Up Blog Post Photos (handy if you plan to digitally document your voting experience)