The "suffer" part of "suffrage"

Tonight G.O. and I waited in line for two hours and twenty minutes to vote in the presidential primaries. Two lines were formed, but unfortunately those with last names between A and L made a much longer line. We, of course, were glad to have the opportunity to vote, but as we got closer and closer to the front of the line we recognized what the hold up was. Old ladies at the front table writing with shakey hands. Hands that made some mistakes and then needed to erase what they had written. Then there were three or four empty booths at once because of the delay at the table. Then I felt pretty guilty. These ladies were smiling and happy to serve. Some of them seemed old enough to have had mothers that fought for the vote. I smiled, took my voting card and walked to the booth.

3 comments

Unknown | February 5, 2008 at 9:36 PM

An hour and a half for us. Not nearly as bad as your wait. Sometimes it pays to procrastinate. :)

Bonnie | February 6, 2008 at 9:50 AM

Wow - your experience was different from mine. I only waited 20 minutes (though the holdup was the shaky-handed lady -- I just flipped through her pages for her and pointed at my name) but I very nearly didn't get to vote because the fiesty lady in the first line wasn't sure I was really who I said I was. I once heard someone say that the reason our country is in such a state is because women are busy with their jobs and not watching politicians as well as they did. My election day volunteer is definitely ON THE LOOKOUT. :D

CHERRANNE | February 23, 2009 at 2:42 AM

:-) I have been an election judge before and know the utter dedication and non-stop work that is performed by these public servants!!!