This one from my parents, in Clark County, Ohio. (Yes, THAT Clark County. Thankfully, my parents never recieved one of the letters.)
Their polling place was in the community room of the local nursing home. They voted at 7:00 AM this morning, being extra careful to punch the right numbers on their cards. Long lines to vote (150-200 people), though less than what I experienced (only a 30 minute wait, and this polling station happens to serve two precincts), and no obvious signs of intimidation or fraud. While in line, they happened to strike up a friendly conversation with a group of plumbers who were voting before heading out to their job. (ThiefDad: "They looked like union guys, so that should tell you something.") Outside, both Bush/Cheney and Kerry/Edwards people worked the crowd handing out sample ballots, but both sides remained civil. No sign of MoveOn.org people, lawyers, or journalists.
And of course, the funniest moment came when one of the nursing home residents (alas, one with moderate Alzheimer's) came and stood in the line. The nurse came over and said, "Hal, that's the line to vote."
Hal's response: "I don't want to vote. I want to eat." Sent a nice bipartisan chuckle up and down the line. "Us, too, buddy," the plumbers said.
Let's hope that it goes this smoothly everywhere. Whatever happens, we're still one nation.
Posted by Thief at November 2, 2004 01:47 PM