38 - My voting story

I am taking the opportunity to break between states to share my experiences voting. I have grown to be an avid voter, every ballot. It is my voice, my right. Regardless of the outcomes, speaking out does matter.

I registered to vote in 1995 in Washington State, and have been a voter for this state for now 25 years! My photo is of me voting while in graduate school in 2004.

I was excited to register to vote in 1995. Not because of the legacy that was behind me. I didn’t feel political when I was 18. I didn’t have strong views. I didn’t talk about current issues because I didn’t spend the time listening or learning about why our country is the way it is. What happened to grow us into a country of freedom. It was just a new right at 18.

The first major election I voted in was for Clinton in 1996. It was a stable election that I likely voted more for consistency than anything. It was four years later in the vote in 2000 that showed me the need and stress of voting. The vote between Al Gore and George W. Bush showed the divide our country was about to start. I remember the fear of how could this happen? The true understanding of the electoral college was proven to the dismay of many Americans. Recounts. Heated fights. And words between parties that can’t be retrieved. Worse ... words between voters.

The vote in 2000 was the first and only time I went to a voters’ booth. Getting absentee ballots while in St. Louis, New York, or Glasgow, I was able to vote from home. The joy of Washington State realizing the benefit of everyone voting from home meant I didn’t have to stand in cues forever. I do, however, effort taking my ballot to a voter drop box at the County giving myself just a little more nudge in the “I VOTED!” feeling. It is a small gesture, but it makes me feel that moment of being done.

I caucused one time for Obama in 2008. It was one of the more interesting and amusing events. Capitol Hill, Seattle is a mixed cacophony of many people, and we joined together for an entire day (seriously) to do our diligence and civic duty. My community was unified again on the vision of a future with a new leadership. It was an exciting time that felt unifying again. Well needed after the last eight years. It felt like young adults playing politics in the same way kids play house or doctor. The demeanor was intent, but not intense. People checked in for hours, and then waited for our proxy, Sean Astin, to speak to us. He didn’t speak well for Obama, and he didn’t speak to me. But it was all process. Then came the election for candidates to the Washington State Convention. That is where it all came together. To be equal and to not go late into the night, everyone was alloted 20 seconds to state their case. I tried. Compared to many I was fine, but the handful of real active volunteers stood the test and were awarded their goal. American life ... at its best.

The election was a night like no other. I was home watching the tallies drop in, fearing another 2000. Knowing the polls on the West Coast would close at 8:00, that would begin the wait. I was nervous, quiet, and intentionally alone. The 8:00 hour came and went and as I prepared for the wait, the states struck blue all along the coast, locking in a solid 270+ votes for the win! There was no question, no ambiguity. But by 8:15, the noise outside began. The honking, cheering, laughing ...

My neighborhood that I had connected with joined together at my front stoop. It was joyous and celebratory. People just wanted to be among like minded, looking forward to the next years where change is going to be real. Having our first black president with a woman president right on his heels was evident. This is change.

The next twelve years have been eye opening to me. My beliefs and passions have been challenged. I have learned what is important to me. I have tried to learn what is important to others.

Thankfully, the only thing I do feel more sure about is that our right to vote ... everyone’s right ... is the most important way to change what you don’t want happening. If you don’t like it, speak out and vote. People don’t vote because they don’t feel educated enough, or haven’t spent time following the issues. All I can say is speak for the things you do know, the ones that you know you can make a difference in. You can’t complain about something if you don’t vote to make your voice heard. I vote in every ballot delivered to my door. I read the election books to hear what candidates can say for themselves. People fight to be the leaders, working for us. We need to unify together and make sure they can speak for us all.