My Election Day Morning

Got up at the usual time. Got the kids ready for school, as usual. At 7:30 our normal routine began to change. I decided today I would dress a little nicer (kacki's and a blue snap up blouse) discarding my t-shirt and black night pants into the dirty clothes hamper. It is Election day after all.
I remember the first time I voted. By that time I was already married with children. I never thought to vote before because it just didn't matter to me, I guess. Growing up, I knew my parents voted, but they never took me with them. The subject of politics was avoided in our household. My dad worked for the government, doing who knows what?? I never could quite put a finger on it. Other kids would ask me, "so, what does your dad do?" and I awkwardly stumbled to give an answer. "Well, he works at the base- uhmm..."

By 8:15 I was shuffling the kids out the door and hoping we'd have enough time to go by the polls before the last school bell rang. I wanted my girls to see how this works. They're old enough now to learn and remember what voting is like.
We waited in line for about 15 minutes quietly talking about the significance of the moment. "What are they doing mommy?" my youngest daughter asks. "Why can't we just say who we want for President and leave?" was my older daughter's question. I explained to them, as I have done before, that we are voting on more than just who we want for President. Still the questions kept coming, and I was happy to answer. "Why do we vote? What else do we vote for?" I explained that there are other issues that I care about- such as huge casinos being built in our state, stem cell research and the three strikes law. This is how we help make tough choices.
"Why can't we tell people who we're voting for?" I knew this one was coming. Because the time for debate is over!! Above all I wanted them to understand that Every American Citizen has the right to have their vote RESPECTED. You don't have to agree, but you do have to respect their choice and sometimes that means keeping your mouth shut.

So we finally reach the table and gave them our name and address. They never check my ID. That bothers me, especially in California! After handing me my ballot- the lady suggested we use the little voting machines that were placed on portable tables for handicap voters. This way I can involve the kids. Great idea. Both girls loved helping me vote. I showed them where to place the cards and let them move the lever up and down to punch the holes in the right places.

Some people say it is just a hassle to take their kids to the polls. Yeah- I guess, but the benefit was worth it. They learned something in the real world today- Democracy. I'm surprised there aren't more parents dragging their kids to the polls. I even got them to school on time. By 9:30am I had already voted, gone to the post office, the bank, paid for a tall soy mocha at the local deli and made small talk with 2 friends. I love this small town! Life is good.