Day: November 4, 2008

It took me two hours, but I was finally able to cast my ballot. There were easily 100+ people in front of me when I arrived at my local polling location.  I had my coffee, then my knitting, and eventually we all were stretching and shifting our weight from foot to foot as we stood in bright sunlight, all of us with last names in the L-S pool. (For whatever reason, there were WAY fewer A-K people, and they kept shouting at them, to shoot to the front of their line. The S-Z people got to advance a few times as well.)

Thank goodness the weather is cooperating. I would think it could have been discouraging to many, to wait that long in bad weather. As I felt my feet tingle, I just reminded myself that two hours is a small price to pay to change the future of our country. And I kept seeing these shoes in my head:

It’s no secret where my allegiances lie. I voted for change. Every minute I waited was worth it, and I was really amazed at the tenacity of everyone in line with me. I’ve never seen so many people (easily 120+ people in front of me), and I felt heartened that democracy can work. Participate – no matter where you fall politically. The only way to have representation is to show up, yourself! And no matter how much time it takes, remember that it pales by comparison to the battles our predecessors fought to gain freedom and the right to vote.