Get Out and VOTE!!!

Ok, you can call me a dork, but I love going and voting. As the election has been getting closer and closer, I have been listening to talk about how busy the polls were predicted to be. Because I knew I would have to work today and get my kids from Virginia's by 5:00, I definitely contemplated voting absentee this year, especially after I heard that in Ohio, the absentee ballots aren't even counted until after the election. But I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

For me, voting is such an empowering experience. It makes me feel as though, for that one moment in time, I get my say in what happens within my country, state, township. I love the experience of standing in line with other voters who are about to experience the same thing. I love the thrill that I get when I push the button that finalizes my vote. I love the "I made a difference today. You can too. VOTE!" sticker that I get on my way out the door. Dorky, I know, but true!

I will admit, however, that as excited as I was to vote today, I was filled with a tiny bit of trepidation as I listened to stories about experiences people were having at the polls. I heard about my husband who was at our polling station twice, after needing to get out of line to get to a dentist appointment on time. Total wait time for him? Two hours. I heard about co-workers, who after waiting in line for almost an hour, got out of line to make it to work on time. Fortunately, Steve offered to pick up the girls so I could have all the time I needed.

Turns out, my voting experience today was just as positive as it always is...minus the lines! Only hours before I arrived, the Lake Library was filled with lines of people going in and out of bookshelves. Yet as I arrived at 4:00, the line was practically non-existent, except for myself and a handful of other voters.

As election night continues on, Steve and I will sit together and watch as polls close and the results come out. My candidate may not win tonight, but regardless, I got out to vote today and enjoyed one of the great freedoms we are fortunate enough to have in this great country!

On a side note here, the following conversation could be heard recently in my school:

Teacher (holding up Republican and Democrat symbols): "Ok class. Does anyone know what these two symbols stand for?"

Student: "Yes. The elephant stands for the Republican party. The jackass? That's the Democrats."

Which way do you think HER parents voted?!?!?