Yes, voting has happened. I love the whole "go to the polls and vote" thing! It is a bit different maybe here than in more cosmopolitan areas. Our polling place is in the local catholic church. 
We drove there and entered the polling place about 8:20AM. As I looked around I noticed five volunteers and 4 people at the table ahead of us. No line! There were 12 cardboard box voting "booths". Some were set up on a long table and the rest you would stand to use. Here is a photo of me voting in this most special of elections. 
We drove there and entered the polling place about 8:20AM. As I looked around I noticed five volunteers and 4 people at the table ahead of us. No line! There were 12 cardboard box voting "booths". Some were set up on a long table and the rest you would stand to use. Here is a photo of me voting in this most special of elections. Here was the process:
I walked to the table and the first lady asked for my name and year of birth. She looked through a sheaf of papers stapled together, found my name and asked me to sign next to it. Then I was passed along to the end of the table where I was handed a slip of paper and the ballot. I was instructed to give the slip of paper to the lady protecting the actual voting machine and she motioned me to a "booth". The ballot was about 14 inches long; political office seekers on the front, bond initiatives on the back. I was directed to make my selections and completely fill in the oval next to the name. After I completed my selections, the lady protecting the voting machine told me to just "slip the ballot into the machine". It could go in right side up, or up side down, or top end first, or bottom end first. It didn't matter. I thought this machine was to read my ballot but it seems it should have been inserted a certain way for that to happen (?). I don't know. It was curious to me that I didn't have to provide any form of identification. Is that a good idea? And, I was disappointed not to get an"I VOTED" sticker to wear. After we voted we both completed an exit poll form. Very smooth, very low key, very quiet. Did I really vote?
This is Roy completing the exit poll survey.
Yes, the votes are counted. I am relieved. I am encouraged. I am hopeful. I feel lighter.
1 comment:
I did not encounter a line. I did have to walk some distance because of so many cars. The poll workers were organized. Young people were there volunteering instead of old retired people. Exciting. I got my 'I Voted' sticker and did errands. Everyone I ran into had voted! Our election party was truly a celebration. Change is in the air. Dee, Upland California.
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