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Red or Blue?

August 1, 2012 By Talya Tate Boerner 9 Comments

Yesterday I voted. I voted even though it was almost too hot to vote, and the back of my neck started to sunburn as I walked across the melting pavement into my polling place.

Opening the door I was careful not to scald my hand on the blazing handle. I followed the signs that marked the pathway through the catacomb of musty hallways to the room with the voting booths. Stopping for a drink of water the fountain spurted a pitiful lukewarm trickle, but I welcomed it. A man walked closely behind me, a bit too close, possibly drafting off me to conserve energy. It was 108 degrees in the shade.
Inside the room, the booths lined a wall. Across from the booths, long tables were filled with volunteers verifying voter registration card information. 
I was greeted by a young lady who asked very loudly, “Are you Democrat or Republican?”
What?!!? I paused and tried to shrink into myself before responding quietly. EVERYONE in the room turned and stared. I felt as though a spotlight was shining on me. I was in the minority. She repeated my answer loudly, her voice lilting in question as if she couldn’t believe her ears. Then she shot me the stink eye.


Can this question really be asked in such a public way? Shouldn’t it be a secret ballot. The Target pharmacist is more discreet! 


“Is that your husband behind you? Is he the same party as you?”

“No, he’s not my husband.”  The man looked like a frightened rabbit and wandered over to another volunteer. Clearly we were the same party…

I was directed to a separate (but equal?) table with no line to get a ballot. I felt ostracized. Quickly I made my selections and ran my ballot through the machine where I wondered if it automatically emptied into a trash can. I darted to my car thinking I should start voting absentee.
I don’t think voting should be so uncomfortable…

talya

Musical Pairings:

America The Beautiful, Ray Charles





β€œAnd I can see Russia from my house.”
― Tina Fey

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Dallas

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Comments

  1. Kaa says

    August 1, 2012 at 7:43 am

    Hmm. No one here asks that, which is good, because I hate being ostracized. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  2. Colene says

    August 1, 2012 at 7:43 am

    Now that I got a good laugh and I am feeling all patriotic and can check out our weather forecast. It is going to be steamy hot here again today. P.S. I always prefer absentee voting! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  3. Colene says

    August 1, 2012 at 7:45 am

    “I” not “and” I should do better editing my comments.

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    August 1, 2012 at 7:57 am

    Got a good laugh from this. Secret ballot, NOT. It is bad when you get “the stink eye”. Hope your next voting experience goes better. GOD BLESS AMERICA & I LOVE THE USA!!! Mom

    Reply
  5. Colene says

    August 1, 2012 at 10:32 am

    When we go to our court house to vote absentee the lady instructs us to stand “over there where you have some privacy.” RIGHT! Then they hover over you and act like they don’t see your check marks but at least they don’t shout it out.

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    August 1, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    Where is the line for “Independent”? Did they ask for a photo ID? k

    Reply
    • TateFarmGirl says

      August 1, 2012 at 6:18 pm

      NO line for Independent! They asked for a driver’s license or voter registration card. I had my voter card with me….

      Reply
  7. Anonymous says

    August 1, 2012 at 8:29 pm

    I hope someone writes in Mickey Mouse again as clearly he’s the best choice.

    Reply
    • TateFarmGirl says

      August 2, 2012 at 5:08 am

      Or Minnie Mouse.

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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