Well, since I write the blog entries they are all of course going to be a little biased towards my point of view. Especially this one, where I will admit a slightly embarrassing truth about myself.
I am afraid of voting.
It all stems back to the 4th grade. Yep, all the way back to the 1992 presidential elections. Mr. Palmer thought it would be a great social studies lesson to hold a mock election so we could learn the voting process. We had to register a party, research the candidates, and then, when the big day came, vote for our educated choices. I don't remember why, but my 9-year-old logic decided that Ross Perot would be the perfect president. I was ready to make my voice heard!
The big day arrived. Our classroom bathroom was transformed into a voting booth. I watched in anticipation and excitement as each of my classmates entered the "booth" one by one until finally, it was my turn.
I picked an empty ballot out of the sink, took my pen in hand, ready to mark a bold X next to the name of the great Ross Perot . . . but something was terribly amiss. There were several boxes. Lots of names I didn't recognize. And a hole punch. What the heck was a hole punch for?
After some scrolling I did finally locate Perot's name, which I circled a few times for lack of a better option, then stuffed quickly into the ballot box. Then I left the booth feeling confused and embarrassed.
When we came to class the next day the votes had been counted and the results posted on the black board. I don't remember the tally for the candidates, but I do remember a fourth tally that had been written on the board. Invalid ballots: 1.
I had done it wrong. I knew it in my heart of hearts. I filled out the ballot incorrectly and my vote didn't count.
This one small epiphany has haunted me for 16 years. I am sure my 4th grade teacher meant well, but I was scarred for life.
This year I studied the candidates. I checked out the local elections. I decided who I wanted to vote for. I registered. And I voted.
You can not imagine my relief when that little digital American flag waved in the digital air, signifying a ballot well-cast. A vote that counted. A constitutional right excercised. A 16 year old fear laid to rest at last.
3 comments:
That may be the funniest thing I have read it a very long time. On my facebook I said I have funny kids who make me laugh every day. . .I, of course, include you in that. Thanks for the great entertainment!
Hooray for voting! Boo for 4th grade!
I don't think I'll get to vote today... which means I'm going to have to go stand in a LONG line on election day with my 20-month-old. I love America...
Way to vote! I wish I would have known before that you have had this blog for so long. I'm excited to read it now. And yes that is April Lyman Larsen.
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