The secret ballot is dead. Long live the secret ballot! I've just become the 1,507,091st person to donate my Facebook status to get out the vote for Barack Obama today. Political preferences are, it seems, no longer a private affair. All over the world, people - whether they're eligible to vote in the US elections or not - are broadcasting their allegiances, very publicly, online...

 

Here are a few choice declarations from the election Twitterfeed:

 

shaviro: I voted for Obama cause the shit of the last 8 years HAS TO STOP. Doesn't mean his election ushers in radical change, or a glorious New Age.

 

dialtechd: This just in:Sarah Palin cleared of violating ethics laws but Still being investigated for being an idiot .... HELLO PEOPLE!!!!! GO OBAMA!!!

 

ReelUSA: I'm tired of McCain/republications being so nasty and hateful. So I changed my mind and voted for OBAMA

 

jonasher: McCain

 

TheMetamorph: Actual sign near my workplace today "Vote for the Bible, not Obama!" Proud of myself for not running over woman holding the sign.

 

JacktheBlogger: I VOTED FOR MCCAIN - PALIN.

 

I'm not exercising any bias in picking these. The overwhelming majority really are rooting for Barack. It's interesting to note also that there's a marked difference between the candidates' own Twitterfeeds. Obama's is currently running a gentle reminder that today's the day to get out and vote, while McCain's seems to be oblivious to the fact it's November 4th.