Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

electric_blue68

(27,849 posts)

9. I always liked that....

Reply to Quiet Em (Original post)

Sat Jun 20, 2026, 08:53 PM

22 hrs ago

The little clicks of the levers, the ? ratchety sound as you pulled the level into position. Then the "ker-chunk" as you pulled it back to register your vote.
Satisfying!

ETA: NYC started scanning paper ballots in 2010.
Since I started to vote in 1971 it's still over twice as m many yrs (16 Xs 2) + 6 yrs voting w the mechanical machines.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Quiet Em

16 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I miss stepping into the old voting booth machines, pulling that lever to close the curtain, [View all] Quiet Em 22 hrs ago OP

Problem: 227 bomb threats in 2024, all in Democratic precincts. mahina 22 hrs ago #1

I don't think those old mechanical voting machines have been used anywhere in decades. Ocelot II 22 hrs ago #3

..That's unfortunate. n/t. whathehell 22 hrs ago #5

I'm in New York. Quiet Em 22 hrs ago #4

Sentimental and fun memory... QueerDuck 22 hrs ago #2

I miss having independent press & media present actual facts Attilatheblond 22 hrs ago #6

I hear ya. Quiet Em 22 hrs ago #7

yeah - heck with those ancient machines GenThePerservering 18 hrs ago #11

There was something satisfying about the soft metallic click each of the little levers made... 3catwoman3 22 hrs ago #8

I always liked that.... electric_blue68 22 hrs ago #9

I don't miss machines at all. usonian 21 hrs ago #10

Never experienced curtains with levers. Experienced push pins to remove the chads BlueWaveNeverEnd 13 hrs ago #12

I remember that, but it was over 50 years ago for me. DFW 13 hrs ago #13

Analog voting machines (as opposed to digital ones). I remember them well. Pulling the lever was satisfying. Intractable 13 hrs ago #14

I would bring one of my children into the booth with me Mossfern 10 hrs ago #15

I still vote in person Polybius 10 hrs ago #16