This post has to do in part with how different views can be about the exact same thing and then segues into what was a heart-warming story to hear. August 30th is the local primary, plus election of judges, and one amendment. Like many places, early voting has been added to absentee voting as an option. And like many veterans, I have used absentee in those situations when it was necessary. I really like early voting because you rarely have more than one to three people ahead of you and that’s for check-in. I’m in, out, (I always say thank you to the poll workers), and I put my “I voted today” sticker on. It so happened the day I voted was Wednesday and at the mostly routine Happy Hour I attend, one of the individuals said she was a firm believer in the traditional go on election day, stand in line, and share in the spirit. Another individual said she almost always did absentee ballot dating back to one time when she was recovering from a surgery and couldn’t make it to the polls. Once she was in the system for absentee ballot, it was easier for her to continue to do that.

During the course of the discussion, the bartender told of her grandmother (I think it was, although it could have been another relative or friend), who had immigrated and received her citizenship at an older age. The first opportunity she had to vote came around when she was 92 and she was very clear about wanting to go to the polling station to be a part of the process. She had a red hat, and they decorated her wheelchair in red, white, and blue for the event. I can only imagine what kinds of smiles that must have brought forth to the poll workers and other voters. What a wonderful affirmation of something far too many people take for granted.