Reflections on elections

The past three weeks have totally occupied my mind with all things electoral.  For many years, as I stood in line on Election Day, I thought, "When I retire, I want to work here."  (It's kind of like serving on a jury - I think everyone should do it at least once in their life.)

I've done elections before, but this was a first in two instances; I was asked to work the two weeks of Early Voting, and also to serve as a Precinct Judge on Election Day.  After assuring the woman at the office that I wasn't sure I was ready to be a Judge, she assured ME that I was.  Okay, lady....

Working the Early Voting was neat, because it was held ajacent to Andy's office.  We got to ride together on some days, eat lunch together a few times, and I'd see him as he came and went to court and other appointments.  Also, a few times, I'd catch him peeking though the window of his office - watching me.  Kinda sweet... :) Also, the people there knew him, and it was fun getting to see that part of his life that I'd only sporadically observed.  It's nice to know that people respect your husband.

So here I am now, the day after the Election, exhausted but full of things to share.  Indulge me, please -

~ People WANT to vote.  For all those who don't show up, there are just as many very committed to casting their ballot.  Several women stick out here - the one who thought she'd spoiled her ballot and wouldn't be given another one.  (By the way - you get 3 ballots for just those occasions)  She was shaking, folks - shaking, because she didn't think she would get to vote.  Another lady had gotten lost on her way to the office, and was just about in tears, because it was nearly closing time, and she HAD to vote.  A third was literally having contractions; her baby was due anytime. 
    Folks, it's really best to actually register BEFORE the election.  Many people came in amazed that there had actually been a deadline, and that they would not be allowed to vote.  It's not exactly a surprise that an election was coming, you know?!?
     We did many loads of folks from Assisted Living facilites, nursing homes, and curbside voting for those not able to get out of their cars.  I witnessed one fella so crippled by age and arthritis that he couldn't hold his own ballot - but that was one man who knew who he wanted to be in office! 
       One story that I hope I never forget was the couple who'd gotten a mail ballot because they didn't think she would be able to get to the polling site.  As I watched them struggling to get out of the car, I noticed that she had no hands.  A couple of workers went out to assist, and when they and the husband came in to fill out paperwork to allow her to vote, I learned that not only had she lost both feet and both hands, she was also suffering from breast cancer.  Now that is taking your rights as a citizen to the highest level. 

~ Voters also want Voter ID passed.  Passionately.  One man almost cursed me out for not taking his photo ID.  "How do you know this is me?!?  Anyone could have taken my card and used MY vote!"  All you can do is say - I'm not required to take it, sir....

~ Voters are superstitious - One man, asked to sign on Line 13, almost wouldn't vote.  He was literally shaking as he took the pen.  Said if he's noticed what line he would be signing on, he's taken another place in line.  If I hadn't already filled in his information, I would have let him move back.  Said the rest of his day was ruined - and I bet it was! Another man said he always wore the same shirt to vote, and a lady used her "lucky pen." 

~ This is probably something you only see in rural, small counties - the friendship reunions in the voting place are not to be missed!  I saw so many former coworkers and friends from church; lots of hugs passed around.  While the voting place is a serious place, let me tell you - there was happiness there.  For the most part, voters were in good moods, and feeling glad to be there.  Sometimes, we even had to close the door leading to the actual voting area, because people were enjoying seeing each other and catching up.  For the most part, there were no signs of Democrat or Republicans; just neighbors out giving their freedoms expression.  (Another worker, also a retired teacher, saw one of her former students heading to the Probation Office and called him over.  She talked to him a long time about why he was there, and what he could do to get things straight.  It was privately and professionally done, but you could tell that he was sad that she'd seen him in that situation.  Accountablility of a small town life, I guess.)

~First time voters are so fun!  They are super excited, and super scared all at the same time. If we learned they were "Nubbies", we'd make a big deal out of it.  Some were so nervous I thought they were going to throw up; the enormity of the process to them was visual, and we witnessed many moms with college age kids in lines.  I'm sure there is apathy and disillusionment out there, but it was so nice to see the fact that their vote was their voice in the grand scheme of things.  One girl was very upset that her brothers waited in the van outside, because they didn't want to vote.  She even asked us if we could call the Sheriff to make them vote!  Not yet, dear....

~In Early Voting, everyone in the county voted in the same place, alphabetically.  As they entered the door, someone would explain to them that the lines were broken up A-L and M-Z.  You have no idea how many people ran through the ABCs in their heads to determine which line, or even funnier to me - actually looked at their voter registration cards to check!!  (I will admit that, on a few occasions, I also had to run through some letters in my mind to find a name in the regristry!)
     Once in line, married couples were often the funniest.  When one would be "processed", the other one would say something like, "I'm right there, too.  She lets me live with her."  Or, "she's let me stay there for xxx years, unless I'm bad, then I sleep in the barn."  You get it - an intimacy of long-time couples who were happy to be together.  We'd tease the husbands about taking their wife out to eat, or something to stay on their good side.  Fun.

~ Over the two weeks, we say lots of parents with little children.  One couple had their 4 year old between them when he loudly announced, "We're here to vote for Romney!"  You never saw hands fly so quickly to cover his little mouth!!  Kids "voted" on scratch paper while their parents registered, accompanied them into the voting place, and home-school kids received lessons on our democracy.  It was amazing to see children learning all about that part of our lives.

~ And some had to cover or remove items that showed a candidate.  One lady was allowed to go into the restroom to reverse her shirt; and while she didn't really like doing it, her vote was more important than her personal agenda. 

~But, there were some complainers.  Since we had multiple precincts voting in the same place, we had a system of writing their precinct number on a little piece of paper to help in the back.  One day, we happened to cut up small squares of red paper for the numbers.  A lady complained to the boss that we were discriminating agains the Democrats, and we should use BLUE slips as well.  I think we used purple from then on.

In closing, there are some things I want to share with you about workers.  We all tried our best to be timely and respectful.  It's not always easy when you hear opinions and are not able to voice yours.  It's not easy to manage folks who expect preferential treatment or ask "why" all the time.  Now, those folks truly were few and far between - most voters were very patient and respectful; I've never been said "Yes, Ma'am" to so many times!!  Several people made the point of thanking us for working, which was very appreciated. But when you are asked to not answer your cell phone, understand that we have a reason for asking .  (By the way, did you know it is a FELONY offense to use a cell phone in a voting place?!?)
       As a worker, you also have to be very willing to follow a routine.  Very.  As a spontaneous person, this was at first challenging, but after a few days, I decided that I COULD be a factory worker.  There is some comfort in always doing the same thing the same way.

     So, these are my reflections on the Election process.  This morning, we know that President Obama will indeed lead our nation for four more years, if God allows.  No matter which direction you leaned, or even if you don't lean either way, it's my hope and prayer that we not only unify ourselves as a nation, but that we grow in appreciation of our responsibilites as citizens.