Get out and VOTE!

"The vote" is a human right. It is seen as an American right. In a democracy there is nothing more fundamental than having the right to vote.

I had planned on voting on Election Day. Why not? It's not really voting unless its Election Day, right? Well...then I realized that I was in charge on Tuesday, the polls don't open until 0630 and close at 1930. That leaves me absolutely NO time to vote. I would have to either be late for work or not get in line early enough for my vote to count. So on Thursday, I started researching hours for early voting and where I could go the next day. Found a location in Garner, so I had planned on getting out at 1500 and picking up Allison and heading straight there. Didn't get out of work until around 1530, so I called Allison and told her to be ready so that we could get there as quickly as possible.

We pulled up to the Pearl Street Center and the line was all the way around the building. Ugghh! What to do? Do I turn around and hope that I can get somewhere on Election Day? Do I stay? Do I pick another location? What do I do? Let's remember, today is Halloween, we have pumpkings to carve, kids to dress, etc? Heck, pull over and park woman, LETS VOTE!

We got in line and actually only waited less than 15 minutes. WOW! Impressive. We got up to the door and were directed to which designated line to go to. I stated my full name and address and had even brought my drivers license just in case. I had to verify the information and then sign in front of the election official. We then proceeded to the next room with the voting booths and approached another election official table in order to pick up our 'correct' ballot.

Then it was up to us to 'pick' a voting booth. We picked one out in the corner, maybe because I wasn't sure about cameras. I had made sure Allison had her phone turned off, but slipped my camera in my pocket. Hello! This is totally a scrapbook moment. A moment that only comes every 4 years. And either way it turns out, will make history! I pointed as Allison filled in the circles. There were several 'write-in' spots and I felt like adding my name several times. ha ha. Now that would make history. We filled out the ballot completely and went to put it through the machine....

At this moment, we had officially voted in a historic election. Im so glad that the girls are so involved in listening, asking questions and really trying to understand politics, government and being a part of history in the making. Whether Barack Obama is the first African-American President or Sarah Palin is the first woman Vice-President, I think the girls will remember this. I told them we are having an Election Night party...break out the cheese dip.

The girls voted in school and were ecstatic that they got their 'I voted" stickers. I think thats more impressive to them than anything. I like to think its because of how much I try to educate them on real-life things and how important some things are.