Election Reflection

What an incredibly long and rewarding day yesterday was! I got to our precinct at 5:45 am and left surprisingly early at 8:45 pm - which gave me time to get to a returns party I had expected to miss. Our voting was steady yesterday but never once busy because 58% of our precinct's registered voters voted early. By the time we closed our polls - we had a record smashing 73% total turnout! To put that in perspective, our chief judge told us general elections usually had about a 35% turnout. We had already shattered the record before election day even started. Being the youngest of the precinct workers (and the only one with two good knees!) I was in charge of running up the stairs and out to the cars in the special handicap parking for curbside voting. (And I hadn't thought I'd be able to squeeze any training in on Election Day!)

I helped people (of a variety of ages) vote yesterday who had never voted. It was fantastic how many people made the effort to get to the polls in spite of being frail, in spite of the drizzling rain, in spite of all those little obstacles that have held them back before. More than one person told me they had never felt like their voice could count. I do understand feeling like your vote isn't worth a hill of beans - I have been a blue girl in a red state forever. But people, our voices can't possibly count if we don't use them!!! Vote anyway! (Next time.) I'm probably not ever going to be much of an activist for any one candidate or party because I think I'm missing that evangelistic streak so many people have. While I myself am far (far, far) left of center, I have almost zero interest in trying to persuade anyone to agree with me. My personal fire is directed at wanting people to be involved, be counted, be heard, be connected, be themselves (whoever that happens to be) in community.

When I told one woman that her vote put us over the top of our previous record she cried and said she'd never miss voting again. That rocked my world. I was so proud to be part of the process! BUT before you tell me what a great volunteer I was I have to admit it turns out we got paid. Not a lot, granted, but still - we got paid. Or rather we're going to get paid. By check. In the mail. Hmmmmm. And now that I'm getting moolah (even if it is only a check that may or may not be in the mail) you must no longer think of me as a precinct volunteer, but as a poll worker. (Not a pole dancer mind you. I'm pretty sure the state doesn't pay for that.) Paid or not - it was a fantastic experience. You should definitely try it sometime, if you haven't already.

I won't say much about the part of my day where I got to be partisan because ... well, gloating is unbecoming. No really, remember the part where until recently I have been a very blue girl in a very (very, very) red state? I know that while I am hopeful and inspired and energized, there are many who are disappointed and afraid. I am unbelievably grateful for the results of my state's senate race (i.e. the triumph of the "godless") and for my country's presidential choice but I am also truly empathetic to those who feel differently. So I'll stop after one last thing: What do you think of the kick ass elephant cookie Donna made? It was so yummy! I would totally share some with you except it's all gone.

*Ok, I really was going to stop there, but I simply must say one more thing (and it is my blog after all): I LOVE the "Yes we can!" cheer. It completely works for me. I'm cheesy that way. But do you think it will mean that Repubs will forbid their children to watch Bob the Builder? That would make me sad!