Election Day Memories

This year's election is probably one of the most buzzed about that I can remember. I probably don't even need to tune into any news websites or channels tonight, to find out the results. I just need to monitor my Facebook feed, I have enough friends on both sides of the issues that I'm sure I'll be hearing (reading?) plenty, one way or another. Right now, though, most of the statuses are about having voted and encouraging everyone else to go out and vote.

One friend's status made mention of the fact that she'd mailed in her ballot, and felt a bit wistful afterward, since she missed the feeling of physically going into a polling station. It made me hearken back to my own voting experiences, and that's when I realized that I really only had one physical one.

I remember the election-- it was 1996, and I was finally old enough to vote. I went down to our local elementary school's auditorium with my parents, and cast my vote for Clinton. That was the last time I visited a physical polling spot.

In 2000, I was stationed in Germany with the Army, and had to vote by mail. In 2004, and 2008, I was living in Santa Barbara, but was still registered to vote in LA. I didn't want to change any official addresses until I had settled down somewhat. That turned out to be a good thing, because in the 11 years I've been in SB, I've moved a total of EIGHT times!

I actually grew to like voting by mail. I could fill out the ballot carefully and at my leisure, and get it done with whenever I wanted to. I liked not having to worry about making time to visit a polling location, and I liked being able to get it done early.

Then last year, after we bought a house, I finally changed the address on my vehicle registration. What I didn't realize was that this act disenrolled me from LA voter registration records. So when, last month, I tried to apply for an absentee ballot from LA county, nothing came through. Fortunately, I figured it out in time to register here in SB.

A few days later, I received an absentee ballot in the mail. I was (pleasantly) surprised, as I didn't realize that was an option. I was expecting a voter registration card that I could take to my local polling place on election day. Well, whatever-- a ballot's a ballot. I filled it out and mailed it off-- and wouldn't you know it, the very next day after I mailed my ballot, I received the voter registration card!

I think I still prefer voting by mail. It's so convenient, and I really like being able to get ahead of the curve and do my civic duty early on.

I do, however, miss getting that little "I Voted" sticker. I know, it's such a small, insignificant thing, but in a heated climate like this year's election, where the imperative to vote is even stronger than ever... I kinda wish I was wearing one right now.

Ah well, I guess an image on my blog will have to do :-)