Back from the polls... reflections on this morning

My vote is cast. And it was a decision laced with great thought, insight and discussions. I was awake at 0712, at the polling place at 0730, not a huge line, and back home at 0750. I watched a couple with 3 younger children walk inside as I walked outside. I felt proud for them and wished I'd woken up my toddler for the event.

I snapped a few shots of the early morning sun break on the leaves and of the flag in front of the polling hall.

For a moment, as I sucked in a deep breath of the crisp air flowing through the leaves, I reflected upon a few things:

Today is a unique day amongst other elections. No matter how you vote, we are a part of this historical time. By voting today, I've honored our country's forefathers. I also honor my family, who immigrated and assimilated here.

Lastly, the world's countries, it's no surprise, have cast a worried eye towards America these last 7 years. The world looks to us again today, wanting, waiting and hoping. Regardles the outcome, the process is at the core of what it is to be American.

Whatever you vote today, just make sure you do and make sure you get others to do their duty. Its a duty to each other and to yourself.

-M

I showed up at my old elementary school wearing my POW-MIA shirt. I get very excited about voting. I always ask the old people if they can smell the democracy.

I went to sign and saw that my parents already had voted. I walked into the booth and hit a switch I never thought I'd hit.

I walked out of the booth, clapping. The officer there in the old gymnasium seemed to take notice, and I did a little running leap and slam dunked on the bastketball hoop that is significantly lower than pro-height. I was pretty pumped.

Then I ran out of there.

I just want my vote to count. NADER '08!! haha (fyi: I didn't vote for Nader)

i have to say i was honestly surprised when i walked up to the school today around noon and had to wait. usually, my polling place isn't packed until the evening but i had to stand in line for about 45 min before i even was able to sign in and then another 15 to get to a booth. i did get to see three people get kicked out the door for wearing obama t-shirts, and i mean literally physically removed from the building. some people just don't get it.

I went to the polling station at 11:30am and was home at 11:45am - no lines at all. This was important to me being that it was my first Presidential election that I could vote in. The total lack of lines made it so easy to do- reading the ballot - making sure I voted for the correct people and correct amendments. I will say that I was a little emotional when I made that first mark for President. It was and is a special day. I'll be watching the broadcasts tonight with a different view - I voted - I did my thing.

Glad you got to participate Mark. :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/...a7e19d87_o.jpg

Went as I usually do after work and there were actually 5 people in front of me!! How dare they!! LOL!!
I made sure my sons voted stressing that this is one of the most important elections in years. It not only
effects this country but also the world. Watching the world news at 6:30 I was in AWE of the HUGE lines of
people waiting to vote all around the country. Big change is ahead and I firmly believe we will come out the
better because of it.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to vote today. Since establishing a permanent residence in WA - I couldn't get an absentee ballot from MA. And I moved to WA before the cutoff date of 15 days to register here and have it count.
Temporarily disenfranchised on the most important/significant election in a very long time.
Figures. :|