Eight years ago, on election day, I was six-months pregnant with Charlotte. I remember that day very well.
I waited in line to vote for about 5 hours—on my feet. I got so
dehydrated that I began to shake and cramp when I was about five people
from the front of the line. I stuck it out the extra 10 minutes, voted,
then headed to the emergency room once I discovered I was bleeding a
little as well. I was in miserable shape. It was NOT a fun day.
Now, I always pack water, food, and a folding chair—just in case.
Today there was no line though. Somehow, I hit the timing just right. I
missed the enormous lines from this morning and beat the rush hour lines
sure to come later on. It was a 10-minute excursion.
Tonight, we are heading to my brother's house to watch the results.
Of course, it may take weeks to resolve now that the parties have
discovered they can ring the voter-fraud alarm and buy more time. Ug.
How to focus then for the rest of my day? We have a big magazine
shoot at the studio today and I have a print from my new quilting
collection that needs an adjustment to its repeat as well. And then
there are the other 88 to-dos on the list. Oh my.
BUT—the most important to-do on my list today is done—I voted.
You should too. Bring water.
Update: You must see this Election 2012 Bad Lip-Reading video above — too stinking funny. "It's like the whole world's a surfer dude and they're all chewing pencils."
I voted. Last week. Much simpler than election day. I shall vote early every time, now.
I didn’t have to wait at all either, but a lady at JoAnn’s today told me people from her precinct started lining up to vote at 3am!!!
I like you was in and out in 5min. I guess around here 10:30am is the magic hour!
Did just that last week and am very grateful I was able to do so! Although, I kind of miss the excitement of standing in line and chatting with people around me. 🙂 I caught a glimpse of you at market- you are adorable!
I’m from Denmark and thus cannot vote. It doesn’t stop me though – wrapped in a good quilt 🙂 – following the election on the TV though way past normal bedtime
Wow, I can’t imagine waiting that long to vote.
The longest it has taken me is about 15 minutes.
It is compulsory here in Australia, so everyone over 18 votes.
Mostly voting is done in primary schools, because they are buildings that are everywhere, and can handle the volume of people. We vote on a Saturday, so they are empty.
It is very social, because you vote at the closest venue to your home, and the schools often raise money by having a sausage sizzle, (sell sausage in bread for small change) so it is usually a little outing for the whole family to say hi to friends and neighbours.
Clearly, you are a dedicated voter, good on you.
Yup. I am seven months pregnant and although I didn’t have to wait long, I was holding a 2-year old who was pulling my hair the whole time. I still think you have me beat but I am always excited to get my sticker too. 🙂
Wow, that’s dedication to vote…especially when it’s not compulsory in the US!
As Claire mentioned, in Australia we all have to vote. But the longest I have waited is 30 minutes..and in that time you get to go past the obligatory school BBQ and cake stall so it really wasn’t a stress! 🙂
Find the differences in our electoral systems interesting. In Australia we vote in our local regions for politicians aligned to different , or no, political party and then the Prime Minister is the leader of the party with the most members who got elected.
Up here in the foothills polling places are scarce, so we voted by absentee. I do miss going to the polls though. Happy everything was better today.
My voting place NEVER has stickers! rude.
What a crazy experience 8 years ago. Glad today was so much better! We voted early on Friday and as a bonus, we discovered a cool place to take pictures. 🙂
That’s unbelievable! You’d think a simple way to increase voter turnout would be to make voting quick and easy. There would be uproar here (Australia) at waits like that!
Good morning!
I feel fortunate… the right to vote is ours.
Let’s hope we can keep moving forward!
Oh mate!! Surely there is a better way! Can’t pregger ladies go to the front?? I reckon Obama should send some “people” down under and see how it may be improved… Anything longer than twenty minutes is too long! Congrate to all the dedicated and patient voters in the US!
Hilarious! I live in Florida — need I say more?