Fulton allowed Usher to skip voting line (Atlanta: safety, celebrity)

[AnsleyPark]

This was on NBC national news this morning. Lovely. Perhaps there was a good reason behind this special accommodation, but, of course, all that anyone saw and heard was that Atlanta makes special accomodations for VIPs. Oh, well.

[red92s]

Having him wait in line probably creates more of a problem then getting him in and out quickly. Mobs of people busting out cameras are worse for "integrity" of the polling place than one line jumper. Many polling places allow people with children to do the same thing.

[RoslynHolcomb]

Originally Posted by red92s

Having him wait in line probably creates more of a problem then getting him in and out quickly. Mobs of people busting out cameras are worse for "integrity" of the polling place than one line jumper. Many polling places allow people with children to do the same thing.

I had my little guy with me last time, and he was an energetic four year old. The poll workers pulled me out to go ahead. Interestingly, no one objected. They did the same when he was a tiny baby. I think they thought I was nursing him because I had him wrapped in my maya wrap. I tried to explain that he wasn't nursing, but I guess they didn't want anyone to freak out. I thought it was funny.

[cqholt]

You produce, write, collaborate, and sing several multi-platinum records and you'll get the same treatment.

A woman at my polling place walked to the front of the line, told the poll worker she had a fainting disorder and was granted immediate access to the voting booth

Several elderly people had their voting cards taken to the front. I have no issue with that since, they are old and can't stand like the rest of us.

[DONNIEANDDONNA417]

He can get in front of me any time

[onemanarmy]

I'm kind of torn on this issue. I think voting should be first come first serve with few exceptions, however given Usher's celebrity status and its potential to cause a ton of other issues for election officials, it might have been wise. To Usher's credit, he called them prior to arriving, so it's not like they "ushered" him from the back of the line. He could have easily avoided this, but I'm sure he wanted to take a picture of his ballot, which makes him look bad.

[SunnyTXsmile]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

A woman at my polling place walked to the front of the line, told the poll worker she had a fainting disorder and was granted immediate access to the voting booth.
I'll have to file that one away for the next election.

I should hope you wouldn't. Why would you pretend to have a disorder you don't have just to bump in line in front of those with true health concerns, the elderly, a pregnant woman, a family with 6 kids they're trying to control, etc. If you're too lazy to wait in line, mail in your vote. But don't be the person that lies to get ahead of others.

[Onthemove2014]

General consensus is ;

1. Usher's presence would have caused more problems then him skipping the line.

2. People are a allowed to skip for various reasons, including causing a disturbance.

End the thread. Any other arguments are just haters hating, or possible race baiting like the article comments.

[lorilove]

Originally Posted by onemanarmy

I'm kind of torn on this issue. I think voting should be first come first serve with few exceptions, however given Usher's celebrity status and its potential to cause a ton of other issues for election officials, it might have been wise. To Usher's credit, he called them prior to arriving, so it's not like they "ushered" him from the back of the line. He could have easily avoided this, but I'm sure he wanted to take a picture of his ballot, which makes him look bad.

Still not buying this excuse - Usher was not the only celebrity in Atlanta, Georgia or the USA voting. Did all of them get preferential treatment?

[iliza]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

Fulton allowed Usher to skip voting line | www.ajc.com

What do you think? Any pros?

Personally, I think it's BS. Does anybody who thinks he is somebody think he can get special treatment at a polling place? If it was that big of a deal, he could have gotten an absentee ballot.

I don't blame Usher for trying, I blame the poll workers for being idiots.

I blame him for trying, and I blame the poll workers. You're going to do a civic duty that represents equality and in doing so, you hold up the line even more so that YOU can get ahead since you believe you are above everyone else.