My friend Lee lives in Alabama and sent this report of her voting experience this morning:
Our home is about 5 minutes from our polling place, a large black church. Not a mega church but certainly a large one. We pulled into the parking lot at 6:30a. The lot was almost full and we had to park on the back row.
They came in pairs, they came as families, they came alone, they came in groups, they came with toddlers in tow, they came pushing strollers and wheelchairs, they came leaning on walkers and canes and each other, and still they came. By the time we entered the church the line started from the voting room and circled back down the opposite wall, around the corner to the right and continuing around corners until coming into the rear of the sanctuary. We were on the left of narrow halls passing the people on the right who’d been there even earlier than us. In vain we looked for the end of the line. Once we were in the sanctuary we lined up in the aisles between the pews. Finally we were led to the front of the sanctuary and filled the pews. A congregation ready for the lesson. We were there for about 15 minutes before we began to retrace our steps this time on the right side headed to the polling place. The line was slow but steady. The crowd was in good humor. Many people recognizing relatives and friends. The closer we got to the front of the line the more we laughed at the new comers and pointed in the direction of the end of the line knowing they had a long way to go. Only a few people left without voting vowing to come back after work or at lunch.
If our polling place is indicative of polling places across the city and the country, Obama can’t lose. I’ve been voting since I was 19. I’ve voted in different states and cities and never seen such crowds. We left the church at 8:20a. The actual voting part took less than 5 minutes. This is one time I’m glad I didn’t vote absentee. I’m glad I was a witness to history.
Lee's grandchildren had their take on it too.
###
6 comments:
Did you know, that a recent poll done here in Canada showed 90 something % (can't remember the exact #) of Canadians would support Obama over our own current leader! Just thought I'd pass that on...
Ahh crap! I'm all teary again! That is one bad part about voting absentee, it would've been nice to see the crowds turn out firsthand.
Andi, we have mail in voting here in Oregon, I miss those scenes too. I do usually hand deliver mine to the elections office, but it's just not the same.
Wanda, that's awesome. I wish, since the rest of the world is SO affected by US policy, that everyone could vote!
Thanks for the smile! We can do this!!!
Lezlie
PS I just said the same thing to my husband the other day. We have so much influence on the rest of the world, it's almost too bad they don't have a vote, even a partial one.
Thanks for popping by to see the dogs! What a great day for America - very moving. I'm so pleased for you and the world! We expect great things (no pressure!)
Post a Comment