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I worked the early voting polling places today. That's something I do every election.
Turn out was much heavier this year than I ever remember. We had five Democrats at the first polling place I was at and there were enough people flowing in that we wished we had more people there helping us. So many people had down ballot questions they wanted answered and/or seemed more willing to listen regarding down ballot races than in previous years. It was great.
My two most interesting encounters were with elderly voters. One old man that had carefully avoided me on his way in to vote along with two elderly women stopped in front of me on his way out, looked me up and down, and turned to one of his female companions and said “I just wanted to see what one looked like”. I was confused. As he walked away he said “race traitor” to which I replied “take care”. If you work the polls, there will always be a few jerks but they are by far the exception not the rule. Let it roll off you like water.
The other encounter was with an elderly white woman. When asked if she wanted a Democratic sample ballot she said “oh yes”, but then went on to explain that she was 65 years old, had never voted before, had no idea how to vote, but that she had registered to vote so she could cast a ballot for Barack Obama. We explained it all to her – she was very happy.
I don't think I changed a single persons mind about the very top of the ticket (I don't think I've ever done that at a polling place) but I know I helped Barack create coat tails for every other race.
With early voters turning out in such larger numbers across the country - PLEASE try and get out to the polling places an do a few hours of work for your local Democratic Party. You will be amazed at the good you do. I was amazed, and I do this every election.
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