Voting Magic

I voted early in Florida, my first time ever voting early. I like the polls on Election Day. The energy of the poll workers, the inevitability of a new, first time voter with all of his or her excitement to finally engage in the electoral process. Early voting in Florida lacked some of that energy. I went to the polls at the library in Plant City. It took less than five minutes, though there was a steady steam of people.

There were a number of women at the polls, primarily older women, a few with their adult daughters in tow. One woman was interrogating the poll worker. In Florida, voters mark ballots with the little bubbles like in standardized testing. Then the ballots get fed into a computer and the computer says at the end, Congratulations, your vote has been recorded. One woman asked the poll worker, what does that mean? Was it recorded for the right person? I want to vote for Hillary, how do I know it was right. He explained, quietly and repeated, if you selected Hillary Clinton on the ballot that is how it was recorded. Yes, she said, but how do I know that? There was clearly some skepticism among the electorate. Though everything appeared on the up and up.

Another woman was inquiring of the check in workers at the polls, If I vote today how I want to and then I come and vote with my husband, which ballot will count? He wants me to vote Republican, which I will but I want my vote for Hillary to count. Can I vote for her today and then vote the rest of the ballot with him on Election Day? The poll worker explained that she could only vote one ballot, but that the ballots were confidential and her husband did not need to see it. She said, you do not know my husband. It is a hard world out here for some women. She decided to vote the whole ballot that day. Who knows how she will explain it at home.

I cast my ballot quickly and decisively. It felt great to vote for who I hope will be our first woman president. It also felt great to vote in a swing state. It has been a number of years since I have had that pleasure.

My only regret of this election season? I have not participated as a volunteer for any campaign. Next time. For now though I am feeling incredibly grateful to many friends and acquaintances on Facebook who have been out volunteering. Thank you to everyone who has made phone calls, knocked on doors, distributed handbills, helped people to the polls, and done the real labor of our electoral system. Voting magic is not only casting our ballots, but also being a part of the process. Thank you!