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| Tuesday, November 07, 2006 |
| I Voted, Did You? |
Well, I have to admit it, I am glad I told so many people that I was participating in Nanowrimo; it's kept me motivated at the times when all I could think was, holy hell, how in the world am I going to be able to get this done. But the emails, the phone calls, the instant messages, the comments, all asking how it's going have been just the fire under my ass that I needed. Overall, it's going ok. I'm somewhere around 8,000 words, which is a bit below pace, but I can make it up this weekend.
But that's not what today's post is about. Today is election day and I would be remiss if I didn't mention it. Plus I have a confession to make. Today is the first day I've ever voted non-absentee ballott. Not only that, but it's the first time I've voted in a non-presidential election. With that in mind, here's my question to the country? How is it that people don't get more excited about voting?
No, really, I am confused. Absentee balloting can be anti-climactic, even I'll admit to that. You fill in your ballot way before everyone else, and the only sense of accomplishment you get is from closing the mailbox door. All the while you're thinking "Is it really going to get there? Is my vote really going to be counted?"
But today was totally different for me. Walking up to the Brooklyn Museum, saying hello to one of the candidates for State Assembly, whom I've now met numerous times, checking in with District 29, and stepping inside the curtains of the voting booth? It felt like hallowed ground. I was exhilarated. I felt like a part of the process. Like all those news stories, and op eds, and political bloggers I've read over the past several months haven't all been for naught. Clicking off the Xs by the names of the candidates I favored, and then pulling that red lever with a resounding CERCHUNK. How are people not addicted to that? It's like a high! How was my polling station not mobbed?
Does this sentiment make me a huge dork? Of course it does, though I'd say it's more of a contributing factor since, really, so many parts of my life contribute to my dork status (and if you've been reading here for any length of time, you already know that).
So if you haven't voted yet today, go. I don't care who you vote for, what party you're affiliated with, or if you want to write in Kermit the Frog for every position. Just go. Because how can we complain about our representation if we couldn't even be bothered to get our lazy asses up off the couch to pull a couple levers?
Oh, and the unexpected voters high is quite nice, too.Labels: misc. |
posted by FINY @ Tuesday, November 07, 2006   |
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| 11 Comments: |
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Done. By 7am. It's important no matter what, so good for you!
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I've always thought that the rush you get from voting is one of the best feelings in the world. Even if you're just voting for a school superintendant or something, it's really nice to feel counted.
I will never ever ever understand non-voter apathy.
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It['s an incredible feeling to pull that red lever across once I've selected my candidates. I feel like I've done something important.
And I'm off to the polls as soon as I finish writing this...
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I'm voting on my way home from work today. I never understand people who don't vote, and it really frustrates me when people in New York say that their vote doesn't matter because NY will go Democratic no matter what. If enough of you people don't vote, things may not turn out the way you want.
My roommate's 6th graders said that Hillary Clinton was going to be the Governor. She set them straight and said it's great they know that Hillary is on the ballot, but they should make sure they know WHY.
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This is the first time I'll be voting in NY in person since I moved here 3 years ago. I've been out of country for the other two elections so it was absentee all the way.
It should be interesting. I'm still not a 100 percent sure where my voting place is. I have an address, but I just can't picture this place at all even though I've walked by there a thousand times. Luckily it's in walking distance of my apartment so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out. I'll be going to vote after work.
P.S. Keep up the work on the writing. I really should be bugging you about it more than I am. :-D
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I have to say, you are not a dork, and if you are, I am too. I woke up this morning wishing I could go vote in person. it is an empowering feeling. Absentee just does't do it.
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I agree with everyone else. I was able to vote in my first Presidental election in 2004, and what a rush!
My entire office (at the time) was Democratic and what an unhappy place it was the next day...
With such intense races here in MA, how could I not? Civic duty fulfilled before going to class - and it felt great.
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I've just voted here in Queens:
Not a spectacular election, but it's one, nevertheless;
& keep writing from the heart, as you're up to 8K Words.
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Got to say there's something to be said for hearing that "Ka chunk" as you throw that red lever. I'm used to either absentee ballots or when I was up in Maine those connect the arrows with a line ballots.
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I agree about the voting, it is a high on many fronts, and bottom line as Americans its our duty its our voice and its nice to know that all those awful political adds can just go away!!
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You get much love from a fellow dork ;O)
I yell at people to vote too. I think too many people who don't vote subscribe to the whole "My vote won't matter that much" or "It doesn't matter who I vote for, they'll still screw things up" camps.
Conservative Girl hadn't voted till the last election before this. Then she was like "but I wouldn't vote for the people you like!" She got lectured about why everyone should vote.
Anyway, goold luck writing this weekend :O)
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Done. By 7am. It's important no matter what, so good for you!