Voting Tuesday

Today was California Primary Elections Day. I went to vote in the polling station near my house. Earlier, I had received a notice in the mail, telling me where to go. So, before I went in to work, I went and voted. Any elections day has always been a very exciting day for me, whether in Iran or in the US. The right to vote is a right of which many nations in the world are still deprived. Many people in the world continue to struggle for the right to vote, sometimes giving this struggle their lives. To vote is to be heard and counted. Today was a day when my voice was heard and counted. The Recreation Room of a housing complex near my house had been turned into a polling station.

These people are volunteers who work at the polling station. I always thank them for their time and for the help they give the State during elections. Each time I say "I will volunteer next time," but I never get around to it. So I have utmost respect for those who give the important task their time and attention without "khalibandi!"

They checked my name on the list, gave me a ballot in a folder (Democratic and Republican and I suppose Independent ballots are printed separately, and because when I had registered as a California Voter I had declared that I vote Democratic, they gave me the Democratic ballot in that blue folder.)

I could choose to vote on a machine or by pen on paper. I chose to do it with a pen, so I was guided to this "booth."

This is Leo, a disabled American on a wheelchair who volunteers to work at the polling station. Last time I went to vote, I had met him. He monitors the ballot box to his right, making sure the ballot is fed properly into the machine. When I submitted my ballot, Leo gave me a sticker which said: "I Voted." I thanked the volunteers and left. It took under 10 minutes, even with taking the pictures and all.

By law, each individual can take up to two hours of paid leave to go vote. I was at my desk a lot sooner, even though I did stop to pick up my double cappuccino and three Madeline cookies, my daily breakfast.

At noontime in downtown Berkeley, as in everywhere, there were people encouraging others to go vote for their candidate of choice. This woman's recommendaion was Barack Obama.

The polling stations are open until 8:00 p.m. today. So it was no surprise to see this older lady advertising for Obama on a busy street corner at 6:00 p.m. tonight. This is probably one of the most exciting elections in years. Everyone I knew voted today.

My afternoon was spent in a large unit-wide staff meeting, which was interesting and exciting in its own way. I may write about that some other time. Tonight I will continue on final changes on my story and go to bed early, if I can help it. I'm around, if you leave me messages, I will reply quickly tonight. Take care everyone and have a good one y'all.