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A few thoughts about Primary Day 2008
It’s gorgeous out there — the kind of day that makes you glad to live in a state as pretty as North Carolina in a country as free as the United States.
The woman holding the Randy Stewart sign smiled. The volunteers inside Englewood Baptist Church were polite, professional and clearly enjoying their responsibilities.
I was No. 424 at around 1 p.m. — a low number for my precinct, where I’ve typically been 1,000 or more by lunchtime on previous election days.
“It’s the early voting,” said the gentleman who helped me put my ballot in the machine. “I’ll bet most of the people in this precinct voted before today.”
The early voting system is a wonderful convenience for folks who might otherwise have a tough time making it to the polls on the official day of the primary. It cuts down on lines and makes the process fairer and easier.
Even so, I’d miss the ceremony of today if I had voted earlier. There’s something about the volunteers, the poll workers, the conversations. A white pickup truck full of teenagers passed me on Sunset Avenue. “Honk for Obama!” said their sign.
Even if you’re a die-hard Republican, you have to love a bunch of kids so involved in the process at such a young age. My daughter will vote later today — her first election ever. My wife and son will be with her.
For journalists, this is like New Year’s Eve. Everything we learn in the next few hours will have a whole new meaning in the morning. Every moment until now will be regarded as history. Political conversations from here on will begin with “Well, before the 2008 primary …”
Vote, if you haven’t already. Enjoy the day, if you already have. And thanks for participating. Election Day is a reminder of how much we need each other.
Comments
By Holt
May 8, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Jeff you are absolutely right when you say that voting, “is a reminder of how much we need each other”.
The forces in power spend so much time trying to cause chaos and divide us and confuse us that right now is the time that we must all stand together with each other to see some change.
I voted early as well. Though I went directly to the Nash County Board of Elections Office to do it. I got there right as they opened at 8 a.m. April 28. I was not asked for, but I did provide my ID (I think it should be mandatory) to the first person behind the table.
The woman there looked me up on her PC and said she didn’t see me in the database. I said, “I’ve only voted in like the last ten (slightly exaggerated) elections in Nash County”.
She handed it off to a man something or other Settlemyre who did find me in the database. I asked them several questions about the machines, etc but none of them seem to know or have any answers.
Where do they get these pollworkers from? I took my time filling my ballot out. The machine said 1193 before I cast and then 1194 after I inserted my ballot and it was cast.
Made me feel good. And I know what you mean about the young people. It’s good to hear about them getting involved. I wish more and more younger people would get involved in the process.