Election Day
Wherein Our
Heroine Uses Her Nonworking Time to Good Effect.
Up before first light, I worked at a
literature table at our local elections today. Given all the reports of
conflicts expected at polling places around the country, it was a remarkably
cordial experience. The guy working the literature table for the other side
offered us drinks, smiles and thumbs-up were displayed by passing voters despite
long lines to get to the polls, and the County Executive sent some of his people
to the various precincts with bagels and orange juice for the volunteers. Best
of all, there were huge numbers of young people getting involved. Even a few
seventeen-year-olds passed out literature, undaunted by their inability to vote
just yet. One newly naturalized citizen stopped by to ask questions, cautious
and unsure about her new
rights.
Only a couple of
people were obnoxious. One woman, passing the young volunteers at our table,
threw her hands up and said, "Don't even try me. I
hate
him." It was an odd reaction to a smiling young man who was simply standing
there holding literature. We said, "Thank you for voting," to just about
everyone as they left. One woman responded, "We didn't vote for your guy," with
a sarcastic smile.
"Thank you
for
voting,"
we replied.
Posted: Tuesday - November 02, 2004 at 01:11 PM
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