I am Mr. Kitty, and I approve this message.
This isn't about telling you who to vote for, nor is it my attempt to chastise you if you didn't vote. I almost didn't vote today. I believe in having some sort of education regarding the candidates before you make a decision. I wasn't sure that I knew enough to make an informed decision. After some additional research and discussion, I decided that I should vote.
The other, silly reason that I was on the fence about voting was the potential lines and confusion. Mark had voted earlier in the day, so I at least knew where to go. I kept hearing about excruciating waits to vote and was worried about that. When I voted in the last Presidential election, I was there fifteen minutes before the polls even opened but still waited forever. I was actually a bit late to work that day. Luckily, I realized how silly a reason that was to not vote.
I ended up going to vote after I got off of work. I ran home to change because I didn't want to wait in heels. Once I was armed with my Sam's Club hoodie and Nikes, I drove up the road to the YMCA, where I was supposed to vote. It was less than two miles from my home, and I didn't even have to cross 17.
There were little red and white signs directing me where to vote. There was plenty of parking, so I had high hopes about not waiting too long in line. I was absolutely shocked when I went into the building and saw no line.
I went all the way to the left, down a hallway, where there were some tables set up. There were some yellow papers sitting there. There was no one manning the table, but Mark told me to take one. There was an additional matter to vote on here in South Carolina. It had to do with the governor and lieutenant governor and whether they should be running on one ticket or not.* I appreciated that they had some paperwork to educate the voters; they actually made it very simple to understand.
Once you entered the voting room, there was a table set up. One half was for A - L while the other was for M - Z. You picked the line that represented your last name. Well, you would pick a line if there was one. By the time I was ready to walk up to the table, the person who had been getting set up walked away. I didn't wait at all.**
The nice lady at the table asked for my driver's license and began flipping through a book to find my name. Once she found it, I had to sign a paper showing I had been there.*** I think I was 49 or 68 on that notepad. I don't know if that means anything, but it was a number!
Since there was no wait, a very nice older gentleman escorted me to my polling station.
He also gave me my sticker!
The machine gave the option to vote straight party. You could also touch the person you wanted to vote for. There was a heading that explained what the people were running for, followed by their names underneath. Aside from the presidential election and House of Representatives race, everyone else was running unopposed.****
The system is set up to make sure you have plenty of opportunity to review your choices. You pick who you want to vote for, which was actually on multiple screens. After that, you click the "vote" button. The station then shows you your choices and has you submit once again. I want to say there is a final check, where they warn you that you can no longer change your choices after you hit this last button.
When I was all done, I just walked away. The people running the polling place were so friendly. Part of me just thinks they were happy to have someone show up to vote. There was a girl out near the front of the YMCA who asked me if there really wasn't a line to vote. I think the news headlines had people scared. It's kind of sad that it may have discouraged voters.*****
While it can be intimidating, voting is actually very simple. If you haven't used that particular type of voting machine, someone will guide you. The people there are very friendly and just happy to see you voting. Don't be afraid. If you didn't vote this time, there is always next time. It's always good to pick up extra experience points!
*Obviously, there is a lot more that is implied/impacted by that potential change. I only know what the yellow paper told me.
**That was a silly thing to have ever worried about.
***I have no idea why they had people signing in pencil. It just didn't seem right.
****Mark decided to spice up the race for sheriff by writing in Mr. Kitty. I decided to do the same. Don't judge me. It was fun to write in "Mr. Bijou Phillips Kitty, Esquire".
*****I realize that if you let potential lines keep you from voting, maybe you shouldn't vote. Of course, if there is a real reason that you are physically unable to wait in line comfortably, I understand that too.
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