For the first time in the past four elections, I voted early today. My voting location wasn’t crowded; about ten people were ahead of me in line, and we moved along rapidly.
From the time I walked up to register, things were different. Masks and hand sanitizing were mandatory; each person received a wrapped ballpoint pen to sign the forms (which no one touched).
The voting machines were different; while they were touch screens, each person received a “Q” Tip to touch their candidate’s name. When I finished, the machine printed out a completed ballot. I then took the form to another device; it was scanned in and tabulated. From start to finish it took about five minutes.
I didn’t vote today because I fear the voting process; I wanted to cast my ballot now, knowing that it’ll be counted on election day, just as it always is. I happen to live in a state that only begins counting ballots on the actual election day, so we’ll know the eventual outcome quickly.
This year, more than any other, it’s important to vote; I’m only one person, but I know that my vote will count, which is essential to me.
Are we there yet? 