Leg(itim)acy

On Tuesday I will join the ranks of elderly women across the country making sure you are able to vote.

That's right, I will be a poll worker!

My 80+ year old neighbor has been working our precinct for eight years and has been practically begging me to replace her there for the past several months. I finally got around to sending in my application a couple of weeks ago and hadn't heard anything from the folks in charge since.

I called a few days ago to follow-up with them and heard that they are swamped with training folks who had sent in their paperwork in a timely fashion. Of course, they were more diplomatic, but the point was made clearly. I let them know I'd be happy to help in any way I could since I had the day off and they said they'd get back to me.

There had been newspaper columns and notices about the lack of new poll workers and the need to begin replacing those who are no longer able to continue working the long days (at least 12 hours). Basically, they need new blood.

I told Grandma I had applied last week when I took her out for dinner, and she surprised me by saying that she'd done the same thing when they'd lived in Florida. Not only had she worked at the polls, but a handful of other civic duties until she'd finally had enough and quit to have more free time.

It was nice to know I was continuing a family legacy.

I've always thought that voting was one of our biggest privileges as citizens. It allows us to have a voice in the political process. It gives us a say in government through our elected officials, and puts people in office who we hope will use our voices as their own. It also gives us the right to vote people out of office if they are not good stewards of the Constitution or our rights.

Mom used to bring me with her to my elementary school gymnasium to vote. Those were the days of true voting booths. It felt magical, like we were about to see the Wizard in Oz. We drew the curtains around us, we selected the candidates we wanted to see in office, and we pulled the lever to cast our ballot. It was always a special treat and I couldn't wait to sign my voter registration card when I turned 18.

There was a group of women registering seniors at a table set up in front of the cafeteria. Getting to sign that card was almost more exciting than the upcoming graduation, almost. Voting is great and all, but getting to go 900 miles from home was a lot better.

Anyway...I'm really looking forward to learning the ropes, being part of this experience, and doing my civic duty. Of course, I'm not replacing my neighbor yet. Since I sent in my paperwork so late, I'm assigned to a precinct 30 minutes and 20 miles away, in Goodlettsville. Apparently it's not one of the voting hot spots. I may be able to catch up on some knitting, reading or napping while there! Considering the rest of the week's schedule, I'm hoping for the latter.