Yes, I have heard of early voting. Yes, I am aware that it is happening right now. Thank you, but I already have a few dozen fliers about the benefits of early voting in my bag, on my desk and in my recycling bin at home (see, saving the environment is a priority for me too!) I have received phone calls from Hilary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Michelle Obama, all extolling the virtues of early voting. Friends and co-workers have already cast their ballot early and laugh that I haven’t voted yet. Two kind young students came by my house this weekend, offering to help me through a sample ballot and give me yet another flier about early voting.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, democrats and republicans, I will be voting on election day. Want to know why?
1. I am an English grad student. I spend my LIFE talking about the significance of tradition, turning points and symbolism. This election is a hugely important, symbolic moment in the history of our country, our generation and hopefully, the world. I want to take part in a symbolic and important way, which means showing up at the polls on election day. Standing in line with my fellow citizens to “pull the lever” on election day has meaning and I plan to experience it.
2. I am an English grad student. I know there will be long lines. I also read 2000 pages a week. A line for me is simply a new and interesting place for me to blow through some of that reading. Only difference will be standing as opposed to sitting, lounging, sipping coffee or lying in bed.
3. I am an English grad student. I sit and analyze what is on television, whether I intend to or not. The next ten days are going to be chock a’bock full of election analysis, editorializing, polling, exposees about clothing budgets, insane campaign schedules. Accusations will fly, promises will be made and if I am going to have any hope of staying sane, I need to have something to look forward to. I need to have my vote waiting for me at the finish line.
4. I want to remain invested in the race. I want to try to find value in the fascinating debates about pubic policy, social issues and cultural forces that are affecting this election. During the primaries, Georiga voted halfway through the election process and to be completely honest, about two days after Obama swept the state, I stopped watching CNN for about two months. Mostly, it was hard to stomach the ugliness when I had already expended my investment in the process. Obama could have been convicted of robbing a bank with a super-soaker, or have admitted to doing heroin with Paris Hilton and there was nothing left for me to say about it. Not this time. I am holding out for the end.
5. Voting early seems so anti-climactic. Call me a traditionalist, call me crazy, but there is a joy of doing something at the appropriate date and time. A little delayed gratification never hurt anyone. I want to come home election night and watch the election night coverage and see them tally up my vote. I know logically that all the votes go into the same place, that all the votes they are counting will be the same whether they were cast this week or on the 4th. But somehow, the connection just seems more real to that election night coverage when I was at the poll a few hours earlier.
6. Voting isn’t about convenience. We have very few civic responsibilities here in the United States. With all the news channels talking about how we the consumer is partly responsible for the financial bailout because we had no personal responsibility, reading articles and journals that talk about the trouble with students who don’t take responsibility for their own grades or education, I am looking forward to exercising my right to vote.
Maybe one day, when I have a full time job, kids, a house, and various other responsibilities, early voting will be a necessary convenience that I celebrate. But this year, I will be voting on November 4.
No matter when you vote, remember to do it!
