Gossamer Tapestry

Reflections on conservation, butterflies, and ecology in the nation's heartland

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Fashion Statement



I'm very happy to be wearing one of these right now. Voting was interesting this morning.

Typical election day: I am usually out the door at 5:30, so I hang out at home until about five till six, then dash over to the polling place. I arrive at 6 on the dot, walk up to the election volunteers, show my ID and vote. I'm out the door by 6:05. Typically I'm the first voter in my precinct. For presidential elections I've been behind as many as two other people.

This year: Hearing stories of long lines during early voting, Leon and I get to the polling place at 5:45. The line already stretches around the building. We file into the building about 10 minutes after queuing up. I have to wait to vote. I'm not complaining, it's just something I've never had to do before. I roll out of the polling place by 6:35. Not at all bad considering the waits that others have had. Still, it's unlike anything I've seen before, and I've voted in this precinct in every election since 1988.

Gobama!!!

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13 Comments:

At 09:36, Blogger Will said...

Same here in new Hampshire--45 minutes to get into the building, down a very long hall, then into individual lines by alphabetical grouping. Nobody had seen anything like it and we're both thrilled.

Those two villages in northern NH that vote just after midnight and supposedly predict how the nation will go were 15 to six and 17 to 10 in favor of Obama.

 
At 10:08, Blogger Homer said...

In Arizona you can vote early by mail- so easy and it gave me time to study the obnoxious propositions (I voted no on all but the one that raised legislator salaries).

 
At 10:54, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Doug
We are seeing the queues on the TV over here.
Its a bit "Third world". Are you all trying to over through some Dictator?

 
At 13:03, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congrats! GREAT feeling to be part of a fabulous GENERATION / HISTORICAL change in American Politics, eh? And I'll bet that line would be hours long by 10:00 .

We're all raising our hand with a drink tonight as soon as the official electoral count passes the required minimum.

 
At 14:15, Blogger Fresh Kiki said...

Doug
David and I walked to our polling precinct this morning- with only a short wait- afterwards we went across the street for coffee-when we came out the line was down the street- we timed it perfectly! We are looking forward to watching on TV tonight with young David!

So, much to Dad's dismay his three kids are all voting for Obama-he was very unhappy with me yesterday- he thought it would be better if I was not going to vote for McCain that perhaps David and I might just skip the voting-or write in Mickey Mouse as a vote-does that surprise you about our dad :-)
So exciting for you to live in Chicago- there must be such electricity and excitement in the air there!

 
At 16:54, Blogger Lemuel said...

Very fashionable, indeed!

 
At 17:00, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gobama, indeed!

My wife and I voted two weeks ago, the first day early voting was available in our state. The line was several hundred people long when we got there, and one of the volunteers said it had been like that all day, and he said that they had to open early that first morning because of the line of people waiting to get it.

Everyone was cheery in the line. No one had any evidence of the voting choices, but my heart tells me that the motivated ones were Obama supporters. Only a few hours now.

 
At 17:10, Blogger cedrorum said...

Glad to hear so many people were voting. But did you get your free starbucks coffee by presenting your sticker?

 
At 00:14, Blogger Ur-spo said...

Illinois has a lot to be happy over this night.
I hope you have hope and excitement as I do.

 
At 09:09, Blogger robin andrea said...

That is quite the fashion statement. It's an affirmation too. A very bright morning here on the central coast as a new day dawns on a very changed world.

Still haven't called Prop 8 yet, so I'm not giving up hope.

 
At 12:33, Anonymous Anonymous said...

YEY!!!
What a historic moment!
Gobama indeed!

 
At 11:53, Blogger rodger said...

The knowing smiles and sly winks I've been getting on the streets must be tenfold in Chicago.

Now if we can only get that type of support for true civil rights for the gay community I could die a happy man.

 
At 22:53, Blogger Kathie Brown said...

I voted too, probably much like you, but I happen to live in the state McCain is from. You already know he won here, but Oboma won the country! We went to the polls around 9 a.m. and had to wait about 1/2 hour also.

 

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