Did you vote yesterday? Did you notice the folks working at your polling place? I worked all day at my polling place yesterday. Our polls were open 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. The worst moment was when I thought the clock said 10:30, but it was really only 9:30. The day looked very long.
In 5th grade we studied the US Constitution article by article. I don’t remember how long that took. I loved it! I was kind of a geek back then.
I love patriotic music and parades. (John Phillips Sousa rocks.) Washington, DC is one of my favorite cities. I know all the words to “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful”. I don’t like the new fancy versions of the Star-Spangled Banner. And I think it’s disrespectful to start cheering at a ballgame before the end of the National Anthem.
Some things I observed on Election Day:
1. Several people were waiting before 6:30 am. And several more were bundled up and standing outside with signs and pamphlets before it was light.
3. No one was rude or pushy. (It helped that no one had to wait longer than a few minutes, I’m sure.)
4. Most folks were serious and thoughtful while they worked through the ballot.
5. A surprising number of people thanked us for being there. We thanked everyone for coming to vote.
6. One man brought us a plate of delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies. They didn’t last very long.
7. Parents bringing their children took time to talk to them about why they were there. Two little girls thought their mom said they were going boating. They were kind of grumpy.
7. Our form of government can be very messy and tumultuous, but it works pretty well. And many of us are proud of that.
Maybe if all the politicians spent Election Day working at a polling place, they’d try a little harder to work together and make things better. Maybe they would feel the patriotism and sense of community in the chilly school cafeteria or fire station. Do they even remember that the whole process starts with each of us choosing to go vote? Are they grateful for the privilege to represent us?
Amma Ponders 
Amma, when Andy Rooney retires from 60 minutes, I vote for you to take over for him. You are much better…..
Thanks, Barb, for reading! Mike doesn’t like Andy Rooney so he might like your idea.
I worked election day, too, and it was a long day. We rose at 4:30, packed our lunch, and drove through driving rain to get to our appointed post at 6 a.m. After we closed down the polls at 7 p.m., we had to run the tapes from the voting machines, pack everything, go to the courthouse, and wait to be reassured that we had done all properly. It was 10 p.m. when we got home. That’s a very long day for grandparents! I understand that there needs to be a chain of custody, but it would be much better if the day could be broken in two, and the first shift could sign off to the second shift.
I’m thankful for all those people who have been working the polls for all of these years that I’ve been voting and not working. I never realized what a hard job it is!
You were at a higher pay grade than I! We had that same discussion re: 2 shifts.