Many are a-grumble about the length and cost and aggravation of this ridiculously long Presidential campaign.
Although I've only seen about six campaign advertisements — while waiting for my take-out at Billy Lee's (really) — I understand why folks are so rattled by the endlessness and corrosive negativity of it all.
But here's what the campaign has done for me.
I am left warmed by a patriotic glow.
I am very excited by the excitement of the public. People are engaged. They care. They are already voting in numbers that redeem our country.
Both parties — and the independents — have ignited passion. How wonderful.
Might we be entering a time when people are increasingly engaged in public discourse and civic action?
It seems so. And, if the only cost was that you had to watch all those campaign advertisements, it was well worth it to me.
Find me tomorrow.
I will be a Line Manager at 501 East Broad Street, downtown Columbus, across from the Museum of Art, where a polling site is sheltered in the Broad Street United Methodist Church.
I'm picking up thousands of sample ballots — plain vanilla, indicating no recommendations, just a way for voters to consider their options while they wait in line — at 5:30 a.m. and will be ready to distribute them at the polls by 6:30 a.m.
I'll be there all day, encouraging voters to stay in line. If the line gets really long, I can encourage them to ask for a paper ballot, I can call HQ for chairs and food for voters. If I must, I will sing and dance.
(My goal: that voters complain that — since waiting in my line was such excellent fun — the line and the wait were too short.)
Obviously, it's essential that people don't walk away — they probably won't return. And every voter deserves to vote.
There will be two lawyers there, answering questions and making sure that no one is unfairly turned away.
And my new friend, "Mr. Michael," will be there with me.
What I cannot and will not do:
Reveal my politics or encourage them to vote in a certain way. (No campaign button. No shirt with a candidate's name on it.)
And I can't come within 100 feet of the polls. State law. And good common sense.
Long Day
I'll be there until 7:30 p.m. Possibly later. Anyone who is in line at 7:30 p.m. must be allowed to vote, even if the last person doesn't reach the voting booths until midnight or later.
Please vote.
This one matters. The whole world is watching.