Worth the Wait

Voters in line at 8:00 a.m. at Calvin Coolidge H.S. in Ward 4

I was like a kid at Christmas this morning. I couldn't wait to vote! The polls in D.C. opened at 7:00 and I was in line at 8:00. If the line I was in is any indication, turnout today will be historic. I waited a little over an hour to vote, but as I said to a fellow voter, "This is a line worth waiting in."

The line continues up the block in front of the school.

The enthusiasm for this election was palpable and people are excited! One young man was voting for the first time. Another talked about how he hopes this election will result in more opportunities for everyone, not just a select few. We all agreed that America's isolationist policies have to end.

I spoke with voters whose parents and grandparents led the way in the fight for racial equality and justice. The shine in their eyes and the hopefulness in their voices was inspiring. Many of them have fought long and hard to see this day when one of their own is within reach of the White House.

Voters waiting in line to verify their registration and receive a card
that then allows them to pick up their ballots and vote.

I saw voters of every demographic. Sure, the majority of them were black, because D.C.'s population is largely black, but there were white people, Hispanics, Asians, young and old, gay and straight, Christians and atheists, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, able and disable, decideds and undecideds. I saw my neighbors I know and people from the neighborhood I've never met. In short, I saw America. And it is voting!

The D.C. voting ballot. Note in the upper right hand corner that
we have candidates for the offices of U.S. senator and U.S. representative,
even though constitutionally we are prohibited from having equal representation
in Congress. Nevertheless, candidates run every cycle in the hope that the Constitution
will be amended and we'll have representation.

If you haven't yet, please, get out and vote. It's the best time you'll spend in a line. Ever.

*****

Steven, a first time voter, and Mr. Johnson, a retired math teacher,
wait in line to vote.

Continuing my 100 Strangers series, I spent the better part of my hour talking with these two gentlemen while I stood in line. We had a lovely conversation while we were waiting to cast our ballots. Both of them have lived in the neighborhood a long time. Steven, the gentleman on the left, grew up a few blocks from where we were standing and attended high school at Calvin Coolidge--the location of our polling station. It was Steven's first time voting! Mr. Johnson lives not too far from here either and is a former math teacher. His son, Brandon, was with him. This was Brandon's second election. Mr. Johnson declined to state how many elections he's voted in!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 11/04/08