We heard all of the stories about waiting in line for hours yesterday on the first day of Early Voting. So, today after rehearsal at the Choruspondent’s Choir we just went to look at the line and if there was parking at the Aventura City Hall. Since a policeman made room for us by removing a cone we got out the wheelchair and got in line. We just went to see how long that line was but in Aventura it was on the second floor and a line curled around in the open area between the Library and the room where the voting took place. It took about forty minutes for us to wend our way to get into the voting place and the whole affair including marking our ballots and getting outside, took three quarters of an hour.
It occurred to me that one of the disadvantages of voting on the last day is if it rains on that day. Standing in line for hours would be intolerable (for there will be a hoard of people who dilly and dally and can’t make up their minds until the last minute). We were lucky, the day was cool and the line was switched so most people waited in shade. This campaign has gone on too long and if you haven’t made up your mind yet, shame on you. It is obvious that OUR choice of Obama and Biden is the best for their campaign was mostly clean and the message clear that what you won’t get is McCain who still loves Bush and we will be spared the winking and sashaying of Palin who is nobody’s asset. If you are a Republican and plan to vote for McCain and Palin you will be part of America that made bad choices eight years ago and you have a chance to vote the right way. Also, be smart and pick a day when it doesn’t rain.
I have problems with Miami/Dade and the Ballot it provided us. The language thing is giving Spanish or Creole speakers an equal opportunity. It is going overboard to be nice when we should have mandated that all signs and official papers be in English. To be a citizen of this country you should be expected to know the language even if it is not official. To be a citizen, you should be able to read signs, those official papers, understand its history and the issues in this election.
The designers of the ballot made the ovals of little blue dots against the white paper. You had to blacken in your choice. It was very difficult for people with vision problems. They were good about making provisions for handicapped people to be wheel-chaired up to the little privacy booths but, you know, since I don’t hear well even with my hearing aids it was difficult without Carol’s coaching to know what was expected of me. So, today we’re glad we only went to see but then voted.