On Tuesday, November 8th at 5 am, I will be heading to the polls. I could not be more ready for this to be over. This has been the longest and most unsettling build-up to an election that I can remember in my life. No one can deny, no matter your political views, there has been a blatant double standard throughout the cycle, except someone who shall not be named. It has been an opportunity for reflection and it’s been scary to project upon the future.
In truth, I have actually already voted by mail-in ballot. But the reason for rising at 4:30 am is I will be working the polls on this historic day. Working as a poll worker involves a long, grueling day. Doors open to the public at 6 am and close at 8:00 pm in my precinct. I do this not for the money but because it is my service to my community. I can speak Spanish and French sufficiently well so as to be able to help the Haitian and Spanish-speaking population who come to my polling station. Sometimes a simple explanation about the use of the levers in a voter’s native tongue is all that is needed.
My voting plan for the day is, as I said, to rise about 4:30, shower and make a cup of coffee so that I can be at my station by 5:15 am. We will then set up the polling location so that when the first voter comes through the doors at 6 am, we are ready to do our job.
Once the doors are open I will take a selfie to commemorate the end of the political foolishness that has led up to Nov 8th. Then my long day of feeling as though I am watching paint dry could begin. How the day plays out depends upon voter turn out. Generally, voters come in waves. If the turnout is good, time will fly. But if it doesn’t, workers will spend time making wagers about the number of voters expected per hour. We take our work seriously. Given the claims that voting will be rigged, we’ll be extra conscious in matching signatures and documenting as we always do. I expect there will be poll watchers.
At lunch time I will go home to open a bottle of Bordeaux. In the approach to the final hour before the polls close, I am hoping my excitement will be rising in anticipation of a win for HRC.
And at the end of this day, I will rush home to hear the first woman president give her victory speech (BECAUSE SHE IS GOING TO WIN!).
My glass of Bordeaux will have had the afternoon to breathe and I will raise my glass to celebrate Madame President before falling into bed.
Paula Penn-Nabrit says
Fabulous! I agree and I’m going to share!!