I cast my vote(s)!

Tuesday, 1:15 pm

By Kate

Nov

04

2008

I live in about the bluest state in the country, probably. Even so, my little city tends to be a lot on the conservative side and Republicans have had a fair showing here the past few years. During the last general election cycle you couldn’t spit without hitting a Bush/Cheney sign. I find it quite hopeful that I have yet to find a single McCain/Palin sign in this town. There are Obama signs stuck in yards the breadth of this town, though.

When I arrived at my polling place, there were Obama supporters out by the street holding their signs. Not one McCain/Palin supporter on the Republican corner. Either there aren’t any this year or they decided it wasn’t worth bothering to show up. I was pleased by the number of excited people responding to the Obama people. Cars honking as they passed, lots of waves and shouts of encouragement. Lots of excitement in the air. Lots of thumbs up and whoo-hoos. I could feel something in the air that I have actually never felt before. Really thick in the air.

We have paper ballots here. With special markers to fill in the circles next to our candidates of choice. This year, there were very few Republicans on it. I guess that’s when you know that you live in Massachusetts. My ballot was pretty easy to mark this year. ;) We also had a couple of state measures to vote for—one to ban greyhound racing in the state and one to remove criminal penalties from possessing an ounce or less of weed. Both got my yes votes. The measure to eliminate the state income tax, however, got a no. Bad idea.

My polling place (elementary school) was packed today. To the rafters. No kidding, the turnout was amazing. And they moved the actual voting to the gymnasium this year instead of the tiny cafeteria. People were so cheerful and upbeat. It was like a festival. Really a different attitude. People were smiling and everyone wanted to talk to everyone else. That is not common in this town, I’ll assure you. And as I left the school, people wanted to talk about their hopes for the day. Obama, kiddos. Really, really remarkable what is in the air here today.

When I drove out and reached the end of the long drive to the street, I gave the Obama people a thumbs up with my wide grin. One of them called over, “We’re going to win! We are!” I have to tell ya...I teared up. “Oh. I hope so,” I called back. “I hope so!”

Well, we’ll see. It’s gonna be a long day, but a hopeful one.