Over the last couple of days, a question debated on the Hasen blog and on the lisetserv has been the prevalence and—if widespread—the significance of lines of voters waiting too long to vote.  Heather Gerken and Ned Foley believe on the strength of election day reports that these lines were a problem; another view, expressed on the listserve, is that the press reports may be overstated, and that voters will gladly stand for lines, within reason, just as they do on other occasions, for other reasons. 

     Voters, many of them, did stand for lines this time, but they should not have had to do so.  Voting should not be made into a test of endurance.  It also need not be a test of voters' ability to pit their obligations and commitments as citizen against their obligations to their employer or their family.  Some voters do not have the luxury of endless time in line, if an exhausting trial on their feet can be considered an indulgence in luxury.

     There seems to be in the more tolerant view of lines a belief that voters who stand in long lines for movies should bring at least the same patience to voting.  The analogy—and it has been used—is questionable.  I might be willing to stand in lines for a move:  but I can choose the day best or most attractive time for me to get to the theatre.  If the line is too long, I can leave it, and while I might be disappointed, I can return another day.  I can decide to wait until it is available for rental.  These are not choices for the voters.

     Voters who are frustrated with lines may have personal reasons—reasons having to do with their jobs, or their families, or physical stamina.  Another reason for the frustration, which can quickly become anger, is the apparent lack of respect for voters manifested in poor planning or insufficient resources for Election Day.  The day of voting is a time for government to respect the power of the citizenry:  it is the time when in process and outcome, the citizens should experience this power and this respect.  Stuck in line, subject to long waits and other avoidable dysfunction, the voter has every reason to expect more from its government:  particularly on this day, in this work of choosing the nation's leadership.

     Particularly on Election Day, it should be clear who is in charge, and those in charge—the voters—should be treated accordingly.

Bob Bauer