I know that you are all waiting on pins and needles for pictures from my trip, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to blog about election day.
Today I voted at the polls for the first time. Last election I voted as well, but I used a mail-in ballot and just voted for the candidate who represented my party.
This year I researched, watched videos, had to actively register in Idaho, and actually took the time to go to the polls and stick my ballot in the box.
I felt like I was going to cry like a million times.
Once when I saw that, at 10:15 in the morning, the parking lot was so full that it was street parking only. What a turn out!
Once when I heard the patriotic music playing in the background.
(no cameras allowed inside for privacy reasons, so you will just have to imagine.)
Again when I saw an old man with a veterans hat being helped to the polls. (I mean, come on! Was this staged?!)
When I finished voting, and turned to see my baby smiling at me.
And when I turned in my ballot and the lady said “Caitlin ____ has voted in the 2008 election.”
Then I got a sticker, which I wore proudly to Winco.
Really, what’s the only thing more American then getting vast quantities of cheap, mediocre food at Winco? Voting.
I know that Idaho will go red no matter who I vote for. I know that electoral votes, not popular votes, will determine the election. But I still feel the need to vote.
I vote because I can.
I vote because I know that I would want to if I couldn’t.
I vote because it is what women have fought for for years.
I vote because I think that it is pretty great that I, as a woman, can vote different than my husband or parents if I so choose. I should support a country like that.
And I vote because I want my son to see that I do. Okay, so he was pretty bored. But some day, he will notice and, hopefully, it will become a priority for him as well.
(Did anybody else REALLY want to peak over the barrier to see who the person next to you was voting for? Anybody?)
3 comments:
Way to go Caitlin! Voting IS important and I'm glad you made the effort. Joseph looks bored, but very cute in his dinosaur hat and boots :)
Yeah - glad you, too, could go vote!!! There was no one at the voting booth for me to peek in on! Thomas did not get to go with me as I was working, but I am certain he would not have been as calm looking at Joseph is!
hwo did you vote for president?
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