What I learned on Election Day

Today was my first time voting in Pennsylvania, the third state in which I was registered. It also marked the return to a county vote. Virginia separates cities and counties, so I returned to the territory similar to that of Georgia.

I have been very lucky because the polling station I am assigned to is within walking distance of my house. No need to find a parking space or seek directions. The polling station was a nursing home. I had only seen it before at night when I thought it was a hospital. It’s quite a disturbing sight as it is right across from a cemetery. Just make the old folks feel bad.

Anyway, I was prepared to do my tradition sprint past the campaign stations camped out before the station. I stuffed my hand inside my winter coat’s deep pockets to avoid the propaganda.

That was until my neighbor recognized me. The black population is 0.02% here, so people know me pretty well. It wasn’t until that moment that I learned that the neighbor was the mother of someone running for office. She was really friendly and I was cornered by her, her daughter-in-law, and her granddaughter before entering the station. I tried my best to not take the little flyer and I succeeded, but I felt bad not being friendlier.

Plus, this was the first time in which I had a ballot I could just do a straight party vote. I remember when I lived in Georgia the old ladies at the voting booths (this was also during the chad voting days) wishing that there was a straight party vote. However, I didn’t do that because I usually don’t vote along party lines.

I still have the rest of the night to worry about. I do work for a newspaper.

permalink | | | 11/06/2007

C

“he black population is 0.02% here, so people know me pretty well.”

This made me laugh out loud – hard. i can’t imagine living where there are no other black faces. Actually I can, I’ve done it – but I don’t like it.

When I spent my vacation in PA – I was just astounded and when I saw other black people I felt oddly comforted.

339 days ago | permalink

commenting closed for this article