Today was election day, and I voted from inside the Bay Area bubble. Looks like we're sending Barbara Boxer back to Washington and Meg Whitman back to her mansion. Prop 19 is failing, even though pot is less toxic than tobacco and less intoxicating on the road than alcohol. But, mercifully, Prop 23--which would have gutted California's environmental protections--is failing too.
This morning Pi Wen accompanied me to my polling place, a few blocks away from the apartment. I'd described to her how the Alameda County ballots required completing the arrow next to your selections. This year was more complicated, with the introduction of ranked choice voting that allows voters to select their top three choices rather than just one. But still you mark the arrows.
I walked into the polling place, signed my name, received my ballots, and went to my private voting station to make my selections. Or at least, I thought it was private. Turns out that Pi Wen--who has never voted in an election--followed me right to my station! My sanctuary was invaded. :) I thought it was hilarious, and gently chastised her for being so bold. But Pi Wen only wanted to see what the fuss was about, and I had made a big fuss by bringing the state and county voters guide with me to show my preparedness (which I never looked at once). It really didn't matter to me that she saw my vote, and I attempted to offer pithy explanations of my seemingly wise selections.
I never knew "going to the polls together" would be so literal, but I liked it!
Love this one. What a nice story within the story....Is this anything like the family that prays together....?
Posted by: Linda Socha | November 06, 2010 at 08:34 PM