I'm NOT Number 1
For the first time in a
long time, on the 2nd Tuesday in May, I am NOT number one.
The polls open at 6 and I'm
usually there a few minutes before. (So I can say hello to the ladies who
run the process. After doing this for many years, they know me and I know
them.) They find my name in the book, I sign my name, I get my
ballot (that's where the #1 comes in) and fill it out (we've forgone the
machines that we used to have) and cast it in the machine (under the watchful
eye of one of the women who makes sure that it has been successfully
completed). Then I walk home and get ready for work.
This year is slightly
different. (As I've complained), I'm in the office three days a week and
this is one of those days. Though the voting process is usually pretty
quick, I didn't want to chance it this morning. If there was an issue
(and there have been in the past, although they are usually quickly rectified),
I didn't want to have to wait around (or come back later in the day) and stress
myself out. I needed to catch a bus to Newark Penn Station this
morning. That stresses me out enough; I don't need to add to it. So
as I write this, I have yet to vote. But I WILL vote.
When I get off the bus this
evening, instead of walking home, I'll go to the elementary school. I
don't know if my ladies will still be there. (How long is a shift for a poll
worker.) Instead of being #1 I will be 1001. Or so I hope. I
live in a small town (less than 4 square miles with a population of
approximately 14,500. I'd like to get a high number and have the
knowledge that my neighbors have cast their vote as well.
I doubt that will be the case
though. It's a local election. There are two slots on the town
council and three people running for those slots. Sadly, I think many
people will skip voting this year and that's wrong.
This is a local election and
because it's local, it REALLY affects me. The two people I vote for will
shape the town's policy. They have more impact on my day-to-day life than
the President or member of Congress. (I am NOT saying those aren't
important; They ARE!) They are the ones involved in the development of
the town. And when it comes to MY backyard, I want to cast my vote for
knowledgeable and competent people. People who do not necessarily agree
with me all the time, but who I feel have the best interests for the future of
my town. (Although it would be nice if they agreed with me all the
time...what can I say?) I want council members who are trustworthy and
dedicated. And as I've said before (because I've written plenty about
elections before), I've done my homework. I’ve read each candidate's literature
and listened to their answers on public forums. I've watched how they've
conducted themselves. (Sadly, for some reason, this time the local election
has gotten rather nasty, which I can't understand. We are a SMALL town...
no one is going from town council to state senator.) ALL of these things
have influenced my decision of who I will cast my vote for. And I hope
everyone who will vote today (or has already sent in their ballot) has done
their research as well. (Is that too much to hope for?)
Tomorrow morning I will know if
my votes went to the winning candidates. I certainly hope they do.
(Well at least one of them will!) No matter what the outcome, I will
always vote. My thoughts and opinions matter. My vote and my voice; I want
them to be heard. It is my responsibility to vote and it's one I take
very seriously. No matter who you are and when your elections are, I hope
you will too.
Update: I was only the 150th person at my polling location when I went to vote around 5:30 this evening. And I got my sticker:
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