Today, in the last hours before Election Day, Trump careened from one wild tweet to another, threatening, lying, promising, and cajoling. He flew to rallies in a number of states, making up for his campaign’s lack of money by hitting states in person and counting on local media to do the advertising he cannot afford to.
Today I will work as a Democratic Poll Observer in a Red community just north of my very Blue Ohio town. I went through a few hours of training, have read the legal and procedural manuals, learned how to use the reporting and communications Apps and packed to work. Many questions asked during the training had to do with how to handle voter intimidation. In Ohio, voters can legally open carry and have concealed weapons. We are trained to ignore them unless they act threateningly. We are worried, but determined to be there. I’m 69 years old and have been very careful to follow CDC health guidelines throughout the pandemic, but I’ll be at the polls. I’ll be wearing the closest I can get to a HazMat suit (head to toe clothing and PPE), because I believe it’s too important. I’m a recently retired Social Work professor so I believe I can defuse and deescalate tense situations. I’m ready. I’m hoping for a quiet day. Then, I’ll watch the results. Stocked up on chocolate.
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was enacted on February 27, 1951. It limited the Presidency of one individual to two terms.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a resident of Dutchess County, New York, where I live.
FDR was elected to the Presidency four times. In each of these elections, he failed to carry his home county. When I moved here, nearly 30 years ago, there were still people here who were delighted to point out this fact to the younger generations.
Indeed, Dutchess County remains a Republican stronghold.
I visited https://www.elections.dutchessny.gov/ a few minutes ago; it is the homepage for our Board of Elections (I've already worked 3 days of early voting and will be working this election as an election inspector).
Emblazoned on a red background at the top of the page was this breakdown. I hope it brings everyone something of the joy I just experienced:
Absentee Ballots received as of 6 pm on November 2: Con-300; Dem-14,514; Green-64; IND-1,257; LBT-35; LIB-1; NOP-6,502; REF-1, REP-5,130; SAM-3; WEP-7; WFP-59
It's a little early to do math, but these results boil down to a ratio of 2.82:1, Democratic versus Republican (NOP means that the voter isn't registered with a political party).
Simply, this doesn't happen here.
And, for the 3 days I worked early voting, we had mountainous lines, with a ton of minorities and newly-minted 18 year olds voting.
Tuesday is garbage day in our little Ukrainian town. Our garbage is out by the curb awaiting pickup. I do hope America does the same and the garbage trucks are filled to overflowing.
In my kitchen here in Germany. Just finished teaching class and hurried back to the mailbox to find HCR’s Letter.
Up at 4am this morning and baked two loaves of bread – a signal to myself that either siege or a long day into night will follow. I have told myself to try to go to bed tonight at a reasonable hour, to try not to get up at 3am to watch election returns, try not to get my hopes up, but who am I kidding if not myself. Of course, I will do none of those things, and will be on the edge of my seat, far from home, eating bread and hoping through the night.
To my fellow travelers here, a wish for peace & health. Many of you will be working at the polls, staffing phone banks and getting out the vote. You are doing the hard work of preserving our Democracy and I commend you.
Others will, like me, wait anxiously as the returns trickle in over the coming hours, days and weeks, encouraging our friends and family, and as our friend Daria said today, “keeping the candle burning”.
To quote the good Professor, “Americans are voting in record numbers”.
Thank you for your letters, which have helped me through the last year. I’m on my way to an office building for the Board of Elections in a small county in Virginia to help process absentee ballots, as I have done with my husband and others since the beginning of October. The process has been fair, efficient and organized. I have been so impressed and proud of the Elections Boards in my state. We expect to be there at least until midnight and again after the election to be sure that every legal vote is counted. I am hopeful of a good outcome. Thank you again for all the work you have done to help educate and make sense of what has been going on. Peace!
Courage to all those that have voted and will now watch apprehensively as the results of their endeavours gradually build.Courage to all those who will defend the integrity of the process after the polls close. Courage to those who will vote today and stand up to be counted on the day. Courage to all those who will work today getting out the vote and protecting the people. Courage to all those working within the voting process, manning the earns and counting the ballots... without whom no election can function fairly and efficiently. Without the courage of you all America would not be what it is...truly and ever great.
"There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.” -- J.R.R. Tolkein, The Return of the King
I personally, don’t want you to stop the letter writing. Selfish, I know, but your letters to us are informative and often soothing. I wish all of us the best after tomorrow. It is impossible to not be anxious when we want to be celebratory. I’m holding my breath...
Regardless of the outcome of this election, I don't think I am alone in wanting to thank you for being our "Maine Lighthouse" Your letters, videos, and emails have been a beacon of informed democracy at work in a dark time. Thank you.
There is no such thing as not voting: you either vote by voting, or you vote by staying home and tacitly doubling the value of some diehard's vote. -David Foster Wallace, novelist, essayist, and short story writer (21 Feb 1962-2008)
To alll of you working the polls to those of you helping others to get their vote counted I salute you. To Prof Richardson thank you for being our steady light and bringing us hope when we would have despaired. If you haven't voted yet get out there today. God ( or whatever higher force you ascribe your faith to)bless us all and all the world.
You have reinstilled hope in my heart. Your letter is the first thing I read each morning, before my eyes are accustomed to the light of the computer, I squint to soak in your words of truth and hope that sustain me in these days of anxiety laden deceptions. In these past months and years I have rediscovered the depth to which we all depend on the proper functioning of our democracy to guarantee the freedoms we assume are universal. As a retired physician, I have seen fear, anxiety and loss many times, but never experienced it so personally as I do now while standing at the brink of this momentous day, with this community of thoughtful, measured, intelligent supporters of truth. Heather, thank you for sharing your gift of incisive, healing, encouraging, hope filled, renewing, inspiring words. Yet another follower has been guided through the SWAMP. Thank you.
Heather, I forgot to express equally my deep gratitude for the creation of this community of thoroughly wise and compassionate friends and neighbors from all around the US and the world. What a special neighborhood we have become!
Thank you, for being the light of hope I needed to start this Election Day. Your Letters have brought me comfort and understanding of our history during this wild ride getting to this point. Our democracy now lies with the voters and allowing all votes to be counted. Prayers for safety for those voting and staffing the polling places.
These letters have been a lifesaver in these troubling times. Trump and his antics drive me crazy, much more than George W--who seems normal now. I have watched all the history videos (the day after usually) and am reading HCR's second book-Appomattox. for the first time, i see how history affects our current politics. I also enjoy this community of like minded people who are not swayed by sound bites and crazy conspiracy theories. An educated voter is key to the survival of our democracy. I must be optimistic in these times as the alternative is unthinkable.
Today I will work as a Democratic Poll Observer in a Red community just north of my very Blue Ohio town. I went through a few hours of training, have read the legal and procedural manuals, learned how to use the reporting and communications Apps and packed to work. Many questions asked during the training had to do with how to handle voter intimidation. In Ohio, voters can legally open carry and have concealed weapons. We are trained to ignore them unless they act threateningly. We are worried, but determined to be there. I’m 69 years old and have been very careful to follow CDC health guidelines throughout the pandemic, but I’ll be at the polls. I’ll be wearing the closest I can get to a HazMat suit (head to toe clothing and PPE), because I believe it’s too important. I’m a recently retired Social Work professor so I believe I can defuse and deescalate tense situations. I’m ready. I’m hoping for a quiet day. Then, I’ll watch the results. Stocked up on chocolate.
I vote for people of color, though I am white.
I vote for the LGBTQ community, though I am straight.
I vote for those disenfranchised, though I live comfortably.
I vote for environmental issues and a better handling of a pandemic, because I believe in science.
I vote for rejecting American isolationism, because I understand we are a global community.
I vote for those seeking a better life in the US, because I have been given so much by this country.
I vote for healthcare, because this should be an inherent right, not a privilege.
I vote blue, because this election should never be about "me," but "us."
And apparently, millions of others of Americans agree...
Because "Americans are voting in record numbers."
Thank you, HCR, for being my lifeline for months.
From my Facebook wall, this:
A little bit of history is in order here.
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was enacted on February 27, 1951. It limited the Presidency of one individual to two terms.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a resident of Dutchess County, New York, where I live.
FDR was elected to the Presidency four times. In each of these elections, he failed to carry his home county. When I moved here, nearly 30 years ago, there were still people here who were delighted to point out this fact to the younger generations.
Indeed, Dutchess County remains a Republican stronghold.
I visited https://www.elections.dutchessny.gov/ a few minutes ago; it is the homepage for our Board of Elections (I've already worked 3 days of early voting and will be working this election as an election inspector).
Emblazoned on a red background at the top of the page was this breakdown. I hope it brings everyone something of the joy I just experienced:
Absentee Ballots received as of 6 pm on November 2: Con-300; Dem-14,514; Green-64; IND-1,257; LBT-35; LIB-1; NOP-6,502; REF-1, REP-5,130; SAM-3; WEP-7; WFP-59
It's a little early to do math, but these results boil down to a ratio of 2.82:1, Democratic versus Republican (NOP means that the voter isn't registered with a political party).
Simply, this doesn't happen here.
And, for the 3 days I worked early voting, we had mountainous lines, with a ton of minorities and newly-minted 18 year olds voting.
Keep the faith!
Tuesday is garbage day in our little Ukrainian town. Our garbage is out by the curb awaiting pickup. I do hope America does the same and the garbage trucks are filled to overflowing.
In my kitchen here in Germany. Just finished teaching class and hurried back to the mailbox to find HCR’s Letter.
Up at 4am this morning and baked two loaves of bread – a signal to myself that either siege or a long day into night will follow. I have told myself to try to go to bed tonight at a reasonable hour, to try not to get up at 3am to watch election returns, try not to get my hopes up, but who am I kidding if not myself. Of course, I will do none of those things, and will be on the edge of my seat, far from home, eating bread and hoping through the night.
To my fellow travelers here, a wish for peace & health. Many of you will be working at the polls, staffing phone banks and getting out the vote. You are doing the hard work of preserving our Democracy and I commend you.
Others will, like me, wait anxiously as the returns trickle in over the coming hours, days and weeks, encouraging our friends and family, and as our friend Daria said today, “keeping the candle burning”.
To quote the good Professor, “Americans are voting in record numbers”.
My, but that has a nice ring to it!
Thank you for your letters, which have helped me through the last year. I’m on my way to an office building for the Board of Elections in a small county in Virginia to help process absentee ballots, as I have done with my husband and others since the beginning of October. The process has been fair, efficient and organized. I have been so impressed and proud of the Elections Boards in my state. We expect to be there at least until midnight and again after the election to be sure that every legal vote is counted. I am hopeful of a good outcome. Thank you again for all the work you have done to help educate and make sense of what has been going on. Peace!
Courage to all those that have voted and will now watch apprehensively as the results of their endeavours gradually build.Courage to all those who will defend the integrity of the process after the polls close. Courage to those who will vote today and stand up to be counted on the day. Courage to all those who will work today getting out the vote and protecting the people. Courage to all those working within the voting process, manning the earns and counting the ballots... without whom no election can function fairly and efficiently. Without the courage of you all America would not be what it is...truly and ever great.
"There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.” -- J.R.R. Tolkein, The Return of the King
I personally, don’t want you to stop the letter writing. Selfish, I know, but your letters to us are informative and often soothing. I wish all of us the best after tomorrow. It is impossible to not be anxious when we want to be celebratory. I’m holding my breath...
Regardless of the outcome of this election, I don't think I am alone in wanting to thank you for being our "Maine Lighthouse" Your letters, videos, and emails have been a beacon of informed democracy at work in a dark time. Thank you.
There is no such thing as not voting: you either vote by voting, or you vote by staying home and tacitly doubling the value of some diehard's vote. -David Foster Wallace, novelist, essayist, and short story writer (21 Feb 1962-2008)
To alll of you working the polls to those of you helping others to get their vote counted I salute you. To Prof Richardson thank you for being our steady light and bringing us hope when we would have despaired. If you haven't voted yet get out there today. God ( or whatever higher force you ascribe your faith to)bless us all and all the world.
You have reinstilled hope in my heart. Your letter is the first thing I read each morning, before my eyes are accustomed to the light of the computer, I squint to soak in your words of truth and hope that sustain me in these days of anxiety laden deceptions. In these past months and years I have rediscovered the depth to which we all depend on the proper functioning of our democracy to guarantee the freedoms we assume are universal. As a retired physician, I have seen fear, anxiety and loss many times, but never experienced it so personally as I do now while standing at the brink of this momentous day, with this community of thoughtful, measured, intelligent supporters of truth. Heather, thank you for sharing your gift of incisive, healing, encouraging, hope filled, renewing, inspiring words. Yet another follower has been guided through the SWAMP. Thank you.
Day-o (day-o)! Daaay-o
Daylight come and me wan' go home!
Come Mister tally man, tally me my ballots!
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Come Missus tally gal, tally me my ballots!
Daylight come and me wan' go home!
A beautiful bunch of voting Americans!
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Hiding a deadly black tarantula!
Daylight come and me wan' go home!
Day, me say day, me say day, me say day
Daylight come and me wan' go home!
They'll work all night as I drink my rum!
Daylight come and me wan' go home.
Collecting the ballots til de morning come!
Daylight come and me wan' go home!
Lift six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch!
Daylight come and me wan' go home.
Day-o, me say day-o
Daylight come and me wan' go home!
As soon as the counting is done, we will know who our next president will be. In the meantime, have a banana!
Heather, I forgot to express equally my deep gratitude for the creation of this community of thoroughly wise and compassionate friends and neighbors from all around the US and the world. What a special neighborhood we have become!
Thank you, for being the light of hope I needed to start this Election Day. Your Letters have brought me comfort and understanding of our history during this wild ride getting to this point. Our democracy now lies with the voters and allowing all votes to be counted. Prayers for safety for those voting and staffing the polling places.
These letters have been a lifesaver in these troubling times. Trump and his antics drive me crazy, much more than George W--who seems normal now. I have watched all the history videos (the day after usually) and am reading HCR's second book-Appomattox. for the first time, i see how history affects our current politics. I also enjoy this community of like minded people who are not swayed by sound bites and crazy conspiracy theories. An educated voter is key to the survival of our democracy. I must be optimistic in these times as the alternative is unthinkable.