I rarely talk about politics. It is too good a way to lose old friends and make new enemies. Nonetheless, the experience of voting in a small town (compared to the city where once we lived) is a pleasurable experience to be shared.In the city, one finds a parking space invariably too distant from the polling place to make it an easy hike, especially with Noelle trying to keep up in braces & crutches or a wheelchair. Then, there are the long lines, which take a half hour or more to get through. By the time we would reach the head of the line, all too often I would reach for my ID and realize that I had left it in the car. Another hike! Back and forth, then trying to talk my way back to the head of the line while Donnie, Lizzie, Noelle, and Shane were already voting... Rushing through the half-memorized ballot in order to catch up with the others, I would meet them somewhere near the car door. Afterward we would drive home, tired.
Tonight in tiny San Ignatio, however, we drove up to the school parking lot, where we had our choice of spots. If we were to line up everyone in town end to end, it might take as much as an hour to get everyone through the voting process. However, with two polling places to make it easier for those without cars, a surprisingly large number of people here, and 12 hours of being open, there is always a convenient space to park and never any waiting line. One lady was walking her dog outside, waiting for her husband to finish voting, when we walked up. In we went. "Hi, Beth," Margaret, one of the poll workers, called out. No need for ID here! Donnie and I were handed our ballots. We filled them out and left five minutes later, after having hugged Margaret and catching up on mutual news. The evening was young, and we were already out of the house. So, we went to dinner and a movie.
Yep, voting in a small town is a special kind of experience. Relaxing.
I live in a small town myself...and like you we were in and out and knew everyone in the buliding but still had to show our registration...with our drivers liscence. :/
ReplyDeleteI love that atmosphere, too. It's kind of like going to the viewing of a deceased person. It feels more like a family get together when you go to pay your respects because of all the others who are doing the same thing.
ReplyDeleteOregon has mail in ballots. I wasn't too sure that I would like that at first, but now I LOVE the convince of it. They mail it to you and then all you have to do is fill it out and then drive by the drop box, drop it in and you're done.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a pleasurable experience!
ReplyDeleteI lived in a small town for years and it was truly a different process than in a larger town. The small town is very easy, uncrowded and laid back. Here in a larger city, we get to the poll a little before 6 am when it opens and there is always several people already in line. I just think its great that people get out to vote no matter where they live. God bless, Dr. Bobbi
ReplyDeleteyou know its really too bad that people think these days that their vote doesn't count, so why bother? or that the politicians are too corrupt, so why vote? because its important to make your voice heard. its important as well because its a right. and its a privilige to vote. we get our voices heard when we cast our vote. :)
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