I remember election days when I’d stand in a long line waiting to enter City Hall’s doors. The line continued inside the doors to the election judges’ table(s), where all voters were expected to show their identification – most judges knew who I was, so I don’t recall showing my driver’s license to prove who I was. After that table, I continued to another table to get my ballot and “I Voted” sticker. Next, I went to the voting “booths” to mark my selections. When I was finished filling out my ballot, I went to the machine that took my ballot. I was done with my voting duty. The process probably took around 30 minutes or less, depending on the election year.
About a week ago, my better half and I decided to take advantage of “early voting.” The polling place is about one mile from our home. We took our golf cart. There were a few people there, but the line moved very quickly, and we were done voting in less than 10 minutes.
Some of you will read this column before the polls close, and others won’t read it until long after they close. For those who read it before the polls are closed, I would like to encourage you to cast your ballot. For most of my life, I’ve heard people tell me, “Why should I vote? My vote doesn’t matter.” Many of those people are the first to complain when the candidate they wouldn’t have voted for wins the election.
I’ve always had enough faith in our system to believe my vote does matter and that it will be counted, and I did my duty by turning in my completed ballot.
If this election is like others, we probably won’t have a clear picture of who won until late night or early morning, but at least it will be behind us. Hopefully, whoever wins this election will do things to help our economy, lower some costs, and make our lives more comfortable.
At the very least, it would be nice to have those who are elected perform their duties and do what it takes to strengthen our faith in our government working for those who elected them – we the people.
Have A Good Week!
