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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
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.
