My day starts far too early to get to the polls before work, so my democratic duty still must be done today. Its a duty, a privilege, I cherish.
There has been much discussion the past few days about early voting around the country. Wisconsin has absentee voting, which isnt technically early voting, but its basically the same. Illinois, where I live, does have early voting.
But I just cant imagine missing the chance to vote on Election Day. When my schedule was a little more sane, many years ago, Id often go vote first thing in the morning, before work. I relished being one of the first voters at the polling place. Lately, though, Ive been going later in the day, when the lines are shorter and the sun is down.
Either way, my heart rate picks up when I step into the polling place. Im alternately excited and awed by the prospect of casting my vote. Democracy is a wonderful thing, and its an honor to participate in it.
The first time I felt that way was in 1976, when I was the campaign manager for Gerald Ford at Lanark Elementary School. Ford won at Lanark Elementary School, but of course he lost the national election to Jimmy Carter.
Since then, Ive voted for real in six presidential elections. Today, Ill vote in my seventh. And Ill still feel as nervous and proud doing so as I did that day at Lanark Elementary School.
There has been much discussion the past few days about early voting around the country. Wisconsin has absentee voting, which isnt technically early voting, but its basically the same. Illinois, where I live, does have early voting.
But I just cant imagine missing the chance to vote on Election Day. When my schedule was a little more sane, many years ago, Id often go vote first thing in the morning, before work. I relished being one of the first voters at the polling place. Lately, though, Ive been going later in the day, when the lines are shorter and the sun is down.
Either way, my heart rate picks up when I step into the polling place. Im alternately excited and awed by the prospect of casting my vote. Democracy is a wonderful thing, and its an honor to participate in it.
The first time I felt that way was in 1976, when I was the campaign manager for Gerald Ford at Lanark Elementary School. Ford won at Lanark Elementary School, but of course he lost the national election to Jimmy Carter.
Since then, Ive voted for real in six presidential elections. Today, Ill vote in my seventh. And Ill still feel as nervous and proud doing so as I did that day at Lanark Elementary School.
