38% Already Voted In FL

Here is a snapshot of the Local section of today's Orlando Sentinel (click image for full-size). In Orange County (Orlando) there is a 90% increase in early voting with Democrats outnumbering Republicans over 2 to 1. In Lake County, a traditional Republican Stronghold, Democrats and Republicans are even in early voting. In Seminole County, another traditionally republican county, early voting is up 276% from last year with Democrats outnumbering Republicans by 7,000 votes. These counties are in the very important 'I-4 Corridor' that is essential to winning Florida. In all, Democrats outnumber Republicans in early and absentee voting by a margin of over 300,000. Election officials expect between 80-85% of Florida's registered voters to vote in today's election.

Hart's Location, NH Results

Hart's Location, NH, which opens its polls at midnight on election day, became the second town to give victory to Barack Obama. Obama grabbed 17 of the town's 29 votes. John McCain grabbed 10 votes while the remaining two went to Ron Paul. Earlier in the evening, Dixville Notch, NH reported that Obama had received 15 votes to McCain's six, becoming the first Democrat in 40 years to win the town. While there is a long way to go before knowing New Hampshire's totals, much less that of the rest of the country, these two towns give Obama a 32-16 lead over McCain, or 64%-32%. Ron Paul, who is not officially running and not on all state ballots is at 4%.

A Short Buddhist Prayer

I am a Buddhist. Each night I do about an hour of Gongyo. This consists of reciting passages from the Lotus Sutra in Japanese followed by repetitive chanting of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo (南無妙法蓮華經 - Devotion to the Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra, also translated as Devotion to the Mystic Law of cause and effect that exists throughout all the sounds and vibrations of the universe) and which is then followed by a few short prayers. The entire Gongyo can be found HERE

Lately on Digg, Ive seen several posts of people posting prayers for John McCain to win the Presidency. In light of this, I thought Id share the last portion of my Gongyo prayers that I said tonight:

NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO
I pray to bring forth Buddhahood from within my life, change my karma and fulfill my wishes in the present and the future (Offer prayers here. May Barack Obama find victory and lead our nation to peace and prosperity, reverse the damage George W Bush has done to our country, and end the illegal and immoral war in Iraq, bringing our troops home to safety).
NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO
I pray for my deceased relatives and all those who have passed away, particularly Madelyn Dunham, Barack Obama's grandmother.
NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO
I pray for peace throughout the world and the happiness of all humanity
NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO
NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO
NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO

Dixville Notch, NH Results

Dixville Notch, NH, a town that has voted overwhelmingly for Bush the past 2 elections has given a landslide victory to Barack Obama, 15-6 tonight. Dixville notch, a town of about 75 people has only 21 registered voters and is known for casting their ballots at the stroke of midnight each election. Another small town, Hart's Location, will also cast their ballots at midnight tonight. Results will be posted when known.

Results