I’m 27 years old and I’ve never voted. Until this past Tuesday.
Here in the States, you can vote at 18. However, I also believe in voting when you’re ready. Due to family history, I tried to avoid politics. And because I wasn’t politically-minded, I felt that I was ignorant to what was happening. I don’t want to do something as important as vote if I’m so ignorant.
Now, at the midterm elections, 9 years after my legal voting age, I voted.
I no longer felt ignorant, and I felt like it was the right time for me.
How did my first time go? Well, it definitely wasn’t a cakewalk.
I wanted to go early before work, so I got to the polls at 7:30 am. And they weren’t open. I was fairly certain polls were supposed to be open at 7. Frustrating. But, I can just come back, so off to work I went.
After work, I went to vote. I waited in line. For a while. I was there at around 4:20 (blaze), and I had somewhere to be at 5:15, at a half hour drive away. People chatted since everyone knew everyone (except me, the town hermit), and generally wasting time. I just want to vote.
Finally, I got to check in. I registered in August. If you remember, I moved in August so I don’t recall which address I put down. They asked my address, and I stumbled. Poop-poop-de-doop, I’m about to be kicked out of line to re-register. Luckily, I was able to go through after talking to the volunteer.
I went into a booth. I filled in the bubbles. My sharpie almost ran out. I put it in the slot, once finished. Another volunteer announced that I voted and gave me the infamous ‘I Voted’ sticker.
It was, indeed, a super simple process, but it is so necessary.
If you’re able, and your feel ready to do it, go vote in the next election.
Hugs
Alexandra
Alexandra TG 