Election Day in the U.S.
Today, Americans exercise one of our greatest freedoms: The privilege to vote.
Don’t forget to cast your ballot today, Living Large community. If you don’t like who is on the ballot, remember you have the power to write someone in.
My parents were very informed voters; my dad never missed a newspaper each morning and my mom was a 24 hour news junkie before cable was even invented.
They instilled a civic responsibility for voting in me at an early age. My parents always went to vote when my dad got off work. I accompanied them up to my elementary school gymnasium and waited outside the little booths as they pulled the magic curtain, which reminded me of the Wizard of Oz.
Mom would always have a pot of something on, either chili or soup, so all she had to do was ladle it up into bowls when we got home.
It was a rite of passage I looked forward to, and I’ve never missed an election.
Politics also seemed then a thing that only the closest of family members discussed in the privacy of their own homes. Businesses did not wear politics on their sleeves, and neighbors weren’t hurling insults at each other through social media.
I recently learned that my own Godmother, who was my mother’s best friend, had very different political leanings than my mom. I never knew this when they were both alive, although they each must have been aware of it, yet it never came between them.
Dale and I will make the trip up to our fire station when he gets home from work today to cast our votes, or as my dad sometimes called it, “our right to complain if our guy doesn’t win.”
Just remember that no matter who wins, the sun will still rise on Wednesday and we will all still wake up Americans, living in one of the most blessed nations on earth.
Do you have memories of past elections either watching your parents vote or the first time you voted? Let’s please not discuss modern politics in this forum, as this is still a much divided nation and I want this to be a political-free safe haven for our community, open to everyone.
I do feel like it’s such a privilege to be able to vote.
I can’t think of anything more important than casting a ballot. It doesn’t completely cure any cynicism that builds up during the interminable campaigns, but it helps greatly. To me, there’s something almost majestic in thinking of all of us across this country coming together for this act.
At least we can come together one day out of every four!
I remember my mother taking me with her to show me about voting when I was, I think, maybe seven or eight — I still remember what the room and the voting machines looked like, and that all the people there seemed happy that my mother was showing me about it. as they should have been!
Definitely, Kerry. My husband was not raised in a politically aware family and he didn’t see the importance of it (although I urged him to do it when he turned 18!) He now is pretty politically in tune, even calling me Tuesday afternoon to ask, “Is our guy winning!?”
I found this post the day after. Real friends aren’t divided by politics and/or religion. Neither are loyal Americans!
Best, Irene
Definitely, Irene!
I lived in France for 25 years and had to vote absentee. We could only vote for president. I am so glad to be back home and able to participate in choices for my state as well, as well as ballot measures. I’m excited at the turnout yesterday.
I know you are, Alexandra. The turn out was very heavy all over. So sad about Prop 37 in CA, though.
You had two very strong role models. I’m heading out to vote in a bit! Always feel very fortunate to be able to do it.
And with all you and your neighbors have endured this past week, a big kudos to you for doing so, Sheryl!
I am going to vote in just a few minutes. I didn’t first vote until the Gore/Bush election (my parents never voted so it took a while for me to realize it was important!), but haven’t missed one since.
We really do learn from our parents. Glad you see the importance of it now, Brette!
Brette,
My parents also never voted. When I was in 4 or 5 grade and learning about the presidential election I told my mother sho say it didn’t matter who was president they’re all the same liars so, I didn’t even register to vote when I was able. When Clinton was President I started listening to him talk and when Bush and Gore were running I decided I needed to vote and did. I also now make sure to vote for everything.
At least we finally got there and now exercise are right.
Mary
Love this story, Mary. 🙂
Though I’m tense about the outcome of this election, I’m also excited about taking part in this fundamental exercise of democracy with fellow Americans. I too grew up in a very politically active family. My parents were born at the time of the Depression. My dad remembered vividly the hardships of those times, and how our government, under wise leadership, was able to pull this country out of that terrible time of economic crisis. My hope is that whoever is elected, we will once again have the kind of wise leadership that will turn things around for the many people who are suffering and struggling.
That is a very noble, non-partisan hope, Kathleen, here! Here!