The national media is currently focused on New Hampshire, awaiting Tuesday’s primary. But here in Tennessee the primary action is already on. And, from what I saw yesterday, the contest could get hot and heavy.
Last primary I waited until election day evening to vote. Big mistake. Thanks to the long lines, it took me at least 45 minutes to get through. So yesterday I decided to do the cool thing and vote early.
Armed with voter registration card in hand, I proceeded to the Down Town West shopping center. I wasn’t sure exactly where the precinct was, bit there were ample “vote here” and candidate campaign signs to guide me.
I swung open the front door and was greeted by a 12-15 member gray brigade of election volunteers, each manning a designated station. A puffy-haired woman at the front table boldly waved me over, as if she had discovered an opening for me through the mayhem. I was the only voter in the room.
After proving that I could indeed sign my name three times, I was directed to a booth. The booth attendant glanced at my form as if he’d never seen one before, then motioned me inside the hood. I glanced at the ballot panel and waited for its display lights to awake up. And I waited for the lights. And I heard the booth guru on the other side muttering something about a district. And I waited some more. More muttering.
Finally, after waiting almost a minute in my curtained world, the board lit up. Well, not exactly. Turns out I only had two races to vote on–no wonder it took so long.
The first decision, Democratic presidential preference, was straightforward: no mystery there.
Then I discovered I was also supposed to vote in a school board district contest–between two contestants I didn’t know a thing about. What to do? Flip a coin? Alphabetical order?
I decided to select based on name recognition. I recalled seeing a sign for candidate A at a house along my jogging route. But then I remembered I had just received a brochure from candidate B in the mail–though I had not read it. Yard sign or mailing? I went with the latter. Isn’t democracy great?
After rechecking the screen twice (I always fear I’ll accidentally select the wrong candidate) I hit “Vote” and prepared to exit the booth. But the booth keeper was still discussing about something behind the control box. I waited for him to emerge to ensure my selection had registered–every vote counts!–then headed toward the door.
I glanced back as I exited–still no voters there. But the 12 election assistants seemed to be busily working on something or other at their posts. I wonder what they do all day.