“You don’t know what precinct you are in?” said with distain
and a shaking head as the older woman looked up my name on her roster. I was
trying to vote and did not bring my precinct card with me and the grade school housed
several precinct-voting areas. This was sometime in the early 1980’s and we had
just moved to the area.
For the next decade or so, I learned my precinct number or
carried my precinct card in my wallet with my drive’s license. In the 80’s you
could travel to Mexico with your voters precinct card as ID!
In 1998, measure 60 was passed in the state of Oregon that
all voting is done by mail. No going in person to vote at your precinct. No
interaction with various voting machines and my aspiration to be the voting
booth monitor was dashed.
I wanted to be the women at the precinct who shakes her head
at the voters who are clueless. I wanted to be the woman who helps adjust the
curtain for the elderly. I wanted to be the woman who eats cookies with the other
voting monitors while harried voters look on.
Every 4 years I have a yearning to move to a state where I
can physically cast my ballot.
Especially in a presidential election do I feel my dreams snuffed again!
So today I filled out my ballot and will bring it to a drop box in the morning.
Not mailing it but bringing it to a drop box is as close as I can get to
physically casting my vote.
Like political parties divide people, so does vote by mail.
Some people love it and some hate it, I would just like the option!
28 comments:
I like the convenience of early voting, but I'd never thought that perhaps I would also appreciate the choice to also flip the switches.
Exactly, thanks! Most people don't know that here in Oregon voting is all by mail. Most people love it and I understand the flexibility it offers, but those of us with job dreams, it is like finding out there is no Santa or that Peter Pan could not fly or there is no OZ, etc.
I get a kick out of actually going to the booth. It's so American.
I agree, I feel Un-American! Think of me when you vote!
Come on down to Virginia and vote again—we can use the help! (This line made me laugh out loud: "I wanted to be the women at the precinct who shakes her head at the voters who are clueless.")
I have to admit the feeling of pride and being patriotic when I go and cast my ballot. I wonder if more people vote when it is done by the mail option?
Marci, I wish but I think it is illegal to vote twice!
Grace, I think the thought was that more people would vote if they could by mail or bring it to a drop off box at the libraries,but I am not sure it is true. The other factor was the money saved, like those ladies made much money? I am bitter!!
I like your blog the content is exceptional! It was a great read I spent some time here. I will be back for more posts Thanks!
I know what you mean. I've only voted absentee once, when I was out of the country. Otherwise, I really love going into that tiny booth and punching the holes.
I love your website here. Such good content I hope that Google is rewarding you well. I have bookedmarked your site and I will be back for more.
I envy you Janie being able to give the patriotic punch!
I love going to vote in person and getting my little sticker.
Oh Debi, I forgot about the sticker! I miss that too!!!
I'm the minority, apparently, I love voting my mail. We can do either here and I have chosen to vote early by mail and take my time reading and understanding the proposals then marking them off and slipping them in the box! No id required and no lines to stand in or idiots to deal with...oh yea, I like mail in voting!
There is no doubt Jo that voting by mail has advantages. I miss the choice. For me I would chose to physically go to vote at my precinct if I had the choice!
i loved clicking the little levers...we still have booths but it's not the same.
Magpie, gone like the slot machines, no sounds no coins all electronic?
G+1 and Tweeted for you!
What worries me about voting by mail is that some things do go missing. I like the idea of an option, where you can vote in person or use the mail.
I didn't know that about Oregon either. In some ways it makes things easier. But, like many other commenters here I enjoy going to the booth and making my choices!
Thanks Jennifer for commenting. You are right things go missing and also on vote only by mail people forget to put a stamp on it!
Yes Walker it is easier but...
Also what is missing in only vote by mail is the drama of weather influencing the vote. That is good but for most of the population in Oregon it is damp and in the other areas they are hardy folks who manage to get where they want.
Oh this is so sad - how do the kids have mock elections n school? mine were so excited to cast their vote yesterday!
Rachel I hadn't even thought about Mock Elections. Must have to explain how most states vote and place their ballot, versus mailing their ballot! So few pieces are mailed that how to mail may be part of the lesson plan as well!
This is just... weird. I never realized they could pass a law requiring mail-in votes. Given the debate over voter id, I'm surprised there hasn't been a hullaballoo about it!
I remember going with my mom when she voted, and I plan to take my daughter. Somehow it just seems more real.
I agree that there is something very satisfying in casting a physical ballot. Whenever I do it I feel the presence of all the men and women who have died for me to have that right. It is a heady moment. I'd miss it terribly if I weren't able to do it. Sure, voting by mail is easier, but kudos for keeping up some semblance of the honor and tradition of casting a ballot in person. It's a big deal.
Thanks for commenting Chloe! I love the casting of a vote, feeling American!!! So I can only do what I can do in a Vote by Mail only State!
Post a Comment