This election galvanized voters of all parties. Everywhere I went yesterday, people sported “I Voted” stickers and were eager to discuss the election. My husband and I went to West Springfield High School at 7:15 AM to vote and found that the line was already snaking its way out of the building. But despite the early hour and the long line, people were upbeat and talkative, energized (in part) by the coffee and baked goods volunteers were selling outside, but mostly by a keen awareness that we were taking part in a historic election. Our long line moved swiftly, and in less than an hour, my husband and I were inside the school and voting. The use of scannable paper ballots made it possible for more people to vote at once, and this new voting method kept the line moving and frustration low. What about you? What happened when you went to vote?
On Mason’s campus, the weather was dreary and damp, but spirits were high.
Student Government ran vans to the Woodson High School polling place, and volunteers promoted this service by becoming “human advertisements.”
Rain apparently, does not damper revolutions!
This guy stole my heart!
Our university was not without its own drama. Yesterday morning, a hacker broke into the Provost’s email account and sent out a fake message announcing that the election had been moved to November 5th. Rumors circulated that Mason students who voted could lose their financial aid.
But such lame attempts proved ineffective against the smart and savvy youthful voters who went to the polls in record numbers. Your demographic – voters between the ages of 18 and 25 – voted overwhelmingly for Obama and helped power him to victory. Now it’s your turn to act upon that mandate and consider how you will help him guide our nation toward economic recovery, energy reform, and improved security both at home and abroad.
How will you meet the challenge Obama made to all Americans in his victory speech last night that change can’t happen without “a new spirit of patriotism, a new spirit of sacrifice?” How has this election influenced your outlook on the future and the role you will play in it as a working professional?
5 comments:
Well I did not go to polls on voting day. Instead I did absentee voting since I had thought I would have to be at school from 10:30 in the morning til a little after 5 when I would get home. However the absentee voting experience was quite nice. Very short line, nice people, and a funny little old man who was explaining how to use the voting machine to me. I voted back in October already knowing who I was voting for and am very proud to say that I voted for President Obama. This election has influenced my outlook by once again restoring my faith in the U.S. showing that we are not the extremely racist country that other countries say we are and has given me great hope for what is in store in the future for the U.S. because I think that Obama will do great things for our country and help to get the economy back on track and accomplish many if not all the goals that he campaigned for. I am once again proud to say that I am an American.
My experience at the election pols were very memorable. The first time voting for the president will be something that I will remember forever. I remember driving two and a half hours hours to Baltimore in crazy traffic to make it to the poles before they closed. Much to my surprise there were still many Obama supporters standing out side in the rain encouraging people to vote. I must say it made me very proud, and made my vote feel important. This election will effect my future as a professional in that it will afford me greater opportunities and will give me a since of entitlement.
On Election Day, everything went very quickly. I went around 11am and there was barely a line, which was a far cry from when my sister went at 6:30am and saw what she thought to be 300 people in line. But, I got in and got out very quickly with no problems.
My outlook on the future of this nation is that the GOP will eventually bounce back with proper policies and leadership. They're already starting with the resignation of Minority Whip Roy Blunt. For myself, the economy is still tanking, so as a finance major, I've been weary for a while about job prospects. Until there is leadership that can deal properly with the economy, the future doesn't look very bright.
On Election Day I went to my first class and went straight to the polling place. When I got there, representatives from both parties handed me sample ballots where they wanted me to vote for their party across the board. There was no line. I walked straight in and they checked my name off the list. I chose one the electronic voting machines. I was skeptical about both methods. What if the electronic ones crashed or what if they lost my paper ballot. Ultimately I went chose the electronic because I felt it would tally votes faster. It took me two seconds and then I was out. I skipped the rest of my classes and went straight home to watch the news channels. Around 6 o’clock I invited friends over to watch the reportings come in. When Obama won there was a BIG celebration. I live in a huge apartment building and people were screaming out on their balconies Obama’s name. I got calls from friends in Richmond saying they were crowding the streets to celebrate and starting riots! Because of Obama winning this election, I feel that more opportunities will open up for my generation and those to come. It restores my faith in the United States of America.
My experience at the 2008 election poll, was very relaxed. I went to the polls at 6:00am. There weren't that many people outside trying to advertise the candidates. Once inside Robinson High School, we were surprised to see four huge lines that went half way across the school. Once the wait was over we were taken into another room where we were asked for our ID and if we wanted to vote on a paper ballet or electronically. My Father and I both took the electronic ballet since it was moving a little faster then the paper ballet. As we leave the polls we see that the line has grown and I saw people with lawn chairs. Around 4pm I called a friend to see if he voted and he said he did and it only took him about 5min. to vote.
This election is truly a historical moment and will open up a lot in future elections. I expect to see a lot of different races to try to run now. I am very excited to be part of this historical moment.
Post a Comment