On election day I was scheduled to work at the Democratic table in our local precinct. Before leaving to do that, I called 25 numbers from Florida to give them their polling information and encourage them to vote for Barack Obama. Only 2 numbers had a live person at the other end! I hoped they were all out voting! Calling has become such a big part of my trying to help the Obama campaign that I felt I had to call in Florida even though it was too early in the afternoon to be very productive. When I got to our precinct, I was shocked at the number of people waiting in line. The line went out the door and down to the street. This was the first time I had seen a line going out the door since we moved to our house 36 years ago! I started to think it was going to be a very good day!
Working at the Democratic table allowed me to get a sense of what was happening at our precinct. As many of the voters passed by us after voting, they signaled that they had voted for Obama. One man ordered a pizzia to be delivered to us free and specified when calling that it was to go to the Obama table only. Many people asked for buttons or stickers, but unfortunately we had none. I believe they wanted a memento from this special and historic day. I told them about the store at the Obama web site.
Two new citizens asked us a few questions about the process of voting. One I walked in with so I could find someone to help her with the dreaded touch screen voting. I worked at the with a man who has a marvelous story. He was the volunteer who distributed the tables, chairs and materials to the precinct. Then he worked the first few hours of voting and the last ones. He said he was not a citizen yet but a permanent resident. He will become a citizen next year. He talked about his experience as an illegal immigrant over 20 years ago. He was now the father of two daughters in college and has a fine career. He said he volunteers as the “pay back” for the opportunity this country has given him. He is the American dream! He understands.
A few weeks ago I wrote a post about volunteering at the Obama White House. If anyone knows what to do would you let me know? I do live in the Washington area!
I have never experienced anything quite like this election. To be a part of the Obama community has been a real privilege. I hope this web site continues in some way.
Yes We Can!
Joyce Murrell
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