Day 3,851 —Voting 2024—

I don’t think the polls opened at 6 a.m. four years ago. I figured the time and the rain would deter people from showing up, but at least 100 people arrived before me, and I was still in line. I wouldn’t be surprised if the lines get much shorter around 9ish, but I like being here right when the doors open. I researched the judges this morning and have my practice ballot in a ziplock bag.

One person in front of me has been especially chatty. She seems to know everyone in line and commented several times on how this line was better than the one she experienced yesterday trying to do early voting. I was sopping when I entered the elementary school gym where the voting was being held, but it was almost dry now, close to 30 minutes later.

I remember in 2004, my first election when I talked to the people in line around me. It was Bush and Kerry that year and Missouri was still considered a bellwether state. Now, I hesitate to make eye contact with others and don’t want to speak to anyone. I am overwhelmed by all the different kinds of people and all the different states of dress. A few are wearing nice collared shirts but more in casual shirts and jeans. Most people have rain jackets on and are carrying umbrellas and wearing hats.

Most people who are talking are suggesting that they aren’t waiting as long as others. When I got close to the end of the line, someone shouted “First-time voter” and a lot of people clapped for her. The election worker told her where to go and that she didn’t have to vote on anything she didn’t want to.

When it was finally my turn, I sat on the ground by the wall because all the tables were full. I was worried I would accidentally vote for the wrong person, but alas, I was able to bubble in the correct boxes.

The ballot was front and back, so I had to get out my practice ballot to remember what judges to vote for.

I fed my ballot through the official box that tells you “Your vote has counted” or something like that. I didn’t see any electronic machines, which was probably why things were taking so long, but I don’t mind taking a little longer if it makes some people feel better about the process. There is one thing I know for sure if Harris loses, she will not contest the election results and file 100s of lawsuits to try to prevent the certification. That’s just not something someone does if they believe in democracy and care about the future of this country.