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.
Dear Solveig, Chocolate is the antidote for dementors. Thank you very much for the brave work you are doing at the polls. You sound prepared in mind and body. I hope you won't need your deescalatuon skills, but if you do, know that you have Heather's Herd of Hope standing with you. Let us know that you are safe at the end of the day.
I look forward to hearing how your day went, Soveig! Do write again tomorrow. Maybe Heather can pull together the experiences of the poll workers for us.
My day as a Poll Observer is done and it couldn’t have been smoother. Beautiful sunny weather. Great workers. Everyone was nice and respectful. Steady stream of voters with no lines. A few questions and minor issues, but we felt quite good about SE Ohio except for Franklin County near Columbus. They had lots of problems with voting machines and security issues. It’s a Dem dominated county that seems suspiciously targeted. Long story. I’m optimistic overall.
Solveig, My sister has gone through the same training as you, to be a poll observer today. She had to bone up on the use of Apps and steel herself for the unknown. I am so proud and grateful to both of you, and all who are doing this.
Solveig you are a hero. Stay safe and I hope you are able to enjoy the day. And yes: eat chocolate. And I LOVE the title Heather's Herd of Hope. I am owning that. We need t-shirts.
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.
OMG! Thank you for sharing this information. I know exactly what you’re talking about, having been down the river in Beacon, NY for 30 years. Yours is the first piece of info to fill my heart with hopeful joy. 🙏🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🥰
I am thinking about this all day today, just so I can get through the day. I have never cared so much about a Presidential Election, for my children, my grandchildren and myself!🌊🌊🌊🇺🇸🙏
I’m moving soon to Dutchess county, so I’ll be able to help Dem’s in the next election. Also a whole slew of folks from Brooklyn have moved there in the last several months.
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”.
Every time I read that Americans are voting in record numbers, I find myself hoping, wishing and praying that we continue to do so. Too long we have been complacent and I have been one of the guilty ones....lulled myself into thinking all is well. Especially when we nominated a black president. How foolish. Only time will tell but, after seeing how many have responded to what I feel is an American crisis, and reading Heathers letters, I have hope.
Yes! - on continuing to vote in large numbers going forward!! I am not complacent; I vote in virtually every election I can in my rural WI polling district. At present, I believe WI is a broken state. WE THE PEOPLE can fix this by voting in ALL local and state elections as well as "the big ones."
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!
A fellow Virginian here, Maria. So proud to hear how well our state is doing as the voting has been proceeding. My early vote was very smooth and incident-free. Thank you for your work on behalf of our great state and the nation!
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
From the Silmarillion "“Many are the strange chances of the world,' said Mithrandir, 'and help oft shall come from the hands of the weak when the Wise falter.”
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...
I agree with you, Marlene. Heather, we would love to have you continue to write, but I for one will be happy to wait until evening of the following day for your epistles so you can finally get some sleep.
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.
Last night, PBS News Hour interviewed four people who are not voting, and asked them why. One is currently living overseas and didn't care enough to get an absentee ballot on time, but all four basically had the same story - "I didn't see anyone who matched MY concerns, so why should I vote?" What came across to me in each case (and one was a man who looked to be in his 50s, the other three were around 30s), was that if a candidate didn't tick every box on this voter's wish list, why bother?
Which struck me as a very selfish, even irresponsible attitude. Is it just me? Have I become so passionate and worried about the state of our country that the idea that anyone feels this election can just be blown off, is outrageous to me?
Ed Koch addressed this issue, with humor. He said, as I recall, "If you agree with me on 7 out of 10 issues, vote for me. If you agree with me on 10 out of 10 issues, see a psychiatrist."
I am one of the generation that fought for the 26th Amendment, which gave 18-year-olds the right to vote. My first election was a local one, my first national election was 1976. I have not failed to vote in every national and the vast majority of local elections ever since. We demanded suffrage because of the ways in which our "elders" had taken advantage of us; we fought for a right that people younger than we have neglected. I am not very tolerant of people who whine about stuff but then say they cannot be bothered to vote or they haven't found the perfect match to their myriad likes and desires. It's childish, ego-driven, and entitled. Um, who does THAT sound like?!
I came of age before the 26th Amendment, but I was of age to have a Selective Service card when I turned 18. And, yes I felt it was a grave injustice that I we 18-year-old boys could be sent into a war & have no say in the politicians who made them. Along with all the other protests of Vietnam, this too was caused by it.
From Wikipedia:
"Why was the 26th Amendment passed?
Responding to arguments that those old enough to be drafted for military service, should be able to exercise the right to vote, Congress lowered the voting age as part of the Voting Rights Act of 1970. ... Endorsed by Speaker Carl Albert of Oklahoma, the amendment passed the House by a vote of 401 to 19, on March 23, 1971."
Sandra P. Campbell, I also saw that segment on PBS News Hour... I was disheartened, to say the least. Each of those four individuals who wanted to vote only for a candidate they TOTALLY liked/agreed with, is more than likely applying that same self-centered thinking to the rest of their lives. It's maddening and saddening (if that is a word...) -- but in the end, there is not much I can do about them. I'm trying to maintain a grip on my innate optimism... so, although it might seem ostrich-like, I can think of dozens of people who think and act in the complete opposite manner to those four dunderheads on PBS News Hour. This, along with HCR's wonderful daily report and all of the people here who have joined the community of "Heather's Herd," gives me hope. :-)
Rev. Judith, the Pollyanna in me is in constant battle with the Cassandra in me. They have been wrestling for my attention, not to mention my sanity, for four years. I pray for resolution this week! 🙄
This is why I could not even watch "60 Minutes" on Sunday. They were interviewing some really stupid woman who admitted to or ignored the many, many reasons that voting for tRump was not in her own best interest AND YET SHE WOULD VOTE FOR HIM! I switched to a DVD before they got to the politically naive who needed a PERFECT candidate for all their checklist, or even said they were not interested in voting BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SEE A DIFFERENCE between the candidates. Reminded me of a very well-educated former friend who threw her vote away on Jill Stein because she could not vote for Hillary Clinton who was not even in the ballpark of "lesser of 2 evils." Despite the FACT that our president in our current system would be a Democrat or a Repugnant, she threw her vote away on a "conscience" third party candidate. (I was surprised to see that there were 7 candidates on the ballot for president this year)
I am such a pragmatic person. People like those you described are impossible for me to understand. I do understand people have different concerns. but get over them and get the best person in office!
Rob, You've just pointed out a major weakness in the two party system that forces us to choose between two party nominees that were not necessarily chosen in a democratic way. I agree with John Adams that the two party system would be the worst evil to befall the Constitution. Yes, I voted "Republican" in 2016 -- that is I voted for two fine honest competent former Republican Governors on the Libertarian ticket. I had already voted for Bill Weld twice for governor of Massachusetts. Hillary Clinton represented the continuation of the "establishment" oligarchy while Donald Trump was totally unfit for the job. To me I voted for my first and for me the only viable choice. And, I kept my personal integrity in doing so. I actually registered as a Republican for the primary to vote against Donald Trump. I vote for the best person to represent me and usually that does line up with the Democratic candidate but not always. Both represented extremes and I was with the 40% of the voters who are Moderates or Independents. The two parties are validating John Adams statement in this century. At least you can say the election of Donald Trump has finally made people understand democracy is not easy nor guaranteed and get out and vote. I am heartened by the turn-out for this election. The two parties aremoving more and more to the extremes and are controlled by big money rather than the People. I am one of the moderates who has no representation these days as we watch our government become an oligarchic kleptocracy and totally stalled by the winner-take-all rules in the Congress that are anything but democratic. So, I question who was the one who threw their vote away! I'd say you reinforced the status quo which is no longer a democracy. We need to over-turn Citizens United, get rid of the winner-take-all distortion of the Electoral College and Chairs in the Congress as two examples. It is time to get rid of this arbitrary wall, the aisle between the two parties and start being the United States, a democratic republic, again.
The Status-Quo is not going to be changed in a U.S. Presidential General Election by ppl throwing their vote away by giving it to a 3rd Party who hasn’t a chance to win. They are merely supporting the Greater of Two Evils by not voting for their Perceived Lesser of Two Evils. It is naive to think otherwise with a conscience vote.
I am registered as NPA (No Party Affiliation). In 2016 I changed to Dem so I could vote for Bernie Sanders in the Florida Primary. I got so pissed that the ESTABLISHMENT (Debbie Wasserman-Shultz & Hillary Clinton) sandbagged Sanders in the primary that I left the Dem and am again NPA. Still, I voted for Hillary in the General Election. Even tho she was not my first choice, she was the ONLY choice because of the reality of our entrenched 2-party system. I can rationalize that I actually voted against tRump. (I really wish we had a choice to put a negative vote on a candidate, that would subtract one of his cultist’s votes. :)
Actually, in Nevada you have the choice "None of these candidates". One has to start somewhere with changing the system. I learned a lot from my first choice vote. In particular, that bipartisan and nonpartisan are very different concepts. And, you see a lot of states starting to experiment with system like Maine using Ranked Choice Voting which I also support. And, places like California have primaries where the best two candidates even if from they are from the same party run in the election. Haven't heard of the negative vote idea -- sounds like you're getting two votes that way but I'd have to think about it some more. So my vote was for long term change; yours was for the short term. We need both. That's how democracy works and hopefully we'll keep moving toward "a more perfect union".
I should add that Ranked Choice Voting does eliminate the "throwing away your vote" by voting for a minor party since the second choice of the voters of the candidate with the least votes then goes to those candidates until a candidate reaches a majority. I'm an engineer so I'm always looking for ways to improvement everything. And, I want to be represented again! If we can choose to support the present reality or we can support a better future reality. And, accept the consequences of our decision.
I talked to a young woman yesterday who told me she’s not voting “because it just doesn’t seem important to me.” I told her it’s important to ME that her community (POC) are treated fairly, so I voted for Biden. She thanked me, but I wonder if she’ll ever be a regular voter.
I saw that interview and you echo my sentiments exactly. With so much at stake not only for the US, but the rest of the world I am fed up with the attitude of I am not going to vote because you don't have my chosen candidate
Last night my daughter told me she will not be voting. She is in the unfortunate position of living with me, a staunch Biden supporter who thinks that tRump is the spawn of Satin, and having a boyfriend who is a small business owner who supports tRump. She has been bombarded by information from him and me, both for and against the candidates. She picked up her ballot at the clerk's office on Saturday with the intention of voting, but came home sobbing. She said that she "just can't do it".
I am bitterly disappointed, but respect her decision and can only hope she doesn't someday regret it.
Cathy, at least she didn't vote for tRump! My son, daughter in law & grandsons are living with me & I think they lean R. I try not to ask but whenever I rant I'm told they don't follow politics or all politicians are evil. It was first time voting for my grandson & from some of his comments, I think he voted t.
Or worse? Are they getting their 'news' from Facebook and Twitter? I cringe when I hear people - people I used to think were smarter than this - say, "Well, I saw it on Twitter", like that gives it some kind of credibility!!
There's a website called ISideWith.com where you answer a bunch of questions on your positions and it then it tells you how well you match candidates in their answers to the same questions. I find it a very useful exercise to do.
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.
Dear Solveig, Chocolate is the antidote for dementors. Thank you very much for the brave work you are doing at the polls. You sound prepared in mind and body. I hope you won't need your deescalatuon skills, but if you do, know that you have Heather's Herd of Hope standing with you. Let us know that you are safe at the end of the day.
"Heather's Herd of Hope" 💙
I look forward to hearing how your day went, Soveig! Do write again tomorrow. Maybe Heather can pull together the experiences of the poll workers for us.
My day as a Poll Observer is done and it couldn’t have been smoother. Beautiful sunny weather. Great workers. Everyone was nice and respectful. Steady stream of voters with no lines. A few questions and minor issues, but we felt quite good about SE Ohio except for Franklin County near Columbus. They had lots of problems with voting machines and security issues. It’s a Dem dominated county that seems suspiciously targeted. Long story. I’m optimistic overall.
Solveig, Good to hear you got home safely and that all went well. Hope your optimism pays off.
Solveig, My sister has gone through the same training as you, to be a poll observer today. She had to bone up on the use of Apps and steel herself for the unknown. I am so proud and grateful to both of you, and all who are doing this.
Solveig you are a hero. Stay safe and I hope you are able to enjoy the day. And yes: eat chocolate. And I LOVE the title Heather's Herd of Hope. I am owning that. We need t-shirts.
Linda, I agree!! I would wear that so proudly!!
Size medium please. Accept by tomorrow that may be a large.
Except
I think that your wish will be granted. the Big Bad Wolf has huffed and puffed and hasn't been able to blow we little piggies' house down.
So proud of you Solveig! You’re a part of the greatest piece of our history! Have a calm but exhilarating day! 💙
Thank you for being there! All your decisions are wise, especially the chocolate.🙂
Thank you, Solveig! I pray for your safety.
Bless you. And let us know how your day went. You are a hero.
Would love to hear from you later; good luck and.....keep that chocolate nearby!
You’re a hero to me. Whatever the outcome, you stepped up. 🇺🇸🥰
Thank you for giving your time and energy, Solveig! We appreciate what you are doing. Stay safe, in every way and enjoy your chocolate!
Many, many thanks to you, Solveig, for your commitment to justice, freedom, and peace.
I'll just add one more to this "Herd of Hope" - good luck today and by all means, stay safe!
Thank you Solveig , for Your service
Finished my chocolate supply at 10:59 a.m. May have to try some liquid snacks next
God Bless for all your doing. VOTED from and watching from the Philippines. I've never been this stressed over an election.
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.
Thank You Kelly!!! I just posted THIS on Facebook💕😊💞
So did I.
😍
I love this and shared it on my FB wall too!,
I love this, too. Thank you!
Love this. Going to print and frame. 🥰🇺🇸
I love this Kelly. I'm going to put it on my wall.
Me, too. This is a great list, Kelly. Thanks for writing it down so clearly.
Kelly, you're terrific. My wall, too, is going to see this!
I LOVE this. I am borrowing it from you too, Kelly
Agree!
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!
Thank you for your work, and your history lesson on Dutchess County. It was the first tears (of hope) I have shed today. Stay safe.
Dear wlipman, First I want to thank you for your work as an election inspector. THANK YOU.
Thank you also for sharing this remarkable news. Maybe Duchess County will make history today.
Stay safe. Take care. And let us know all is well at the end of today.
Thank you, Wlipman! Music to our ears, this. A shout out to your service working at the polls!
OMG! Thank you for sharing this information. I know exactly what you’re talking about, having been down the river in Beacon, NY for 30 years. Yours is the first piece of info to fill my heart with hopeful joy. 🙏🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🥰
I am thinking about this all day today, just so I can get through the day. I have never cared so much about a Presidential Election, for my children, my grandchildren and myself!🌊🌊🌊🇺🇸🙏
I’m moving soon to Dutchess county, so I’ll be able to help Dem’s in the next election. Also a whole slew of folks from Brooklyn have moved there in the last several months.
Thank you for this ray of hope early on!!
This Gives Me Faith!! Thank You!
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.
As long as the rubbish in question is NOT recycled!
It's garbage day here as well, Allen. Taking out the trash...
How appropriate is THAT! Considering the amount we have "awaiting pickup"!! Right?
The garbage truck just came up our road and took out the trash. Dump Trump!
Well put.
Composting pick up today in my Portland, Oregon, neighborhood.
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!
Every time I read that Americans are voting in record numbers, I find myself hoping, wishing and praying that we continue to do so. Too long we have been complacent and I have been one of the guilty ones....lulled myself into thinking all is well. Especially when we nominated a black president. How foolish. Only time will tell but, after seeing how many have responded to what I feel is an American crisis, and reading Heathers letters, I have hope.
Yes! - on continuing to vote in large numbers going forward!! I am not complacent; I vote in virtually every election I can in my rural WI polling district. At present, I believe WI is a broken state. WE THE PEOPLE can fix this by voting in ALL local and state elections as well as "the big ones."
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!
Great! Thank you for your hard work and here’s HOPING for continued calm. 🙏🏻🇺🇸
Thank you, Maria!!!
A fellow Virginian here, Maria. So proud to hear how well our state is doing as the voting has been proceeding. My early vote was very smooth and incident-free. Thank you for your work on behalf of our great state and the nation!
Maria, I salute and thank you, my fellow Virginian.
Maria, I like your icon/avatar...😍
Thank You!
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
From the Silmarillion "“Many are the strange chances of the world,' said Mithrandir, 'and help oft shall come from the hands of the weak when the Wise falter.”
This is beautiful! I'm going to print it and read it several times every day until.... Keeping hope in my heart as the darkness hovers nearby.
Thank you, Patti, for remembering and sharing this beautifully apt quote. I've copied it into my shared post of Heather's Letter on Facebook.
Thank you so so much for that!
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...
I agree with you, Marlene. Heather, we would love to have you continue to write, but I for one will be happy to wait until evening of the following day for your epistles so you can finally get some sleep.
Even if she made them weekly, I would be most happy. Thank you HCR!
I was thinking the same thing. It would be nice to go back to the days when Twitter didn’t run our news cycle!
Ditto Marlene and Robin. I think we all will gladly "take" what you are willing to provide, Dr. R.
Yes, please, keep writing us letters. Daily or weekly, morning or night, whatever you prefer, but please keep on teaching us.
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.
I like your double entende--could also be our Main Lighthouse. :)
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.
Last night, PBS News Hour interviewed four people who are not voting, and asked them why. One is currently living overseas and didn't care enough to get an absentee ballot on time, but all four basically had the same story - "I didn't see anyone who matched MY concerns, so why should I vote?" What came across to me in each case (and one was a man who looked to be in his 50s, the other three were around 30s), was that if a candidate didn't tick every box on this voter's wish list, why bother?
Which struck me as a very selfish, even irresponsible attitude. Is it just me? Have I become so passionate and worried about the state of our country that the idea that anyone feels this election can just be blown off, is outrageous to me?
Ed Koch addressed this issue, with humor. He said, as I recall, "If you agree with me on 7 out of 10 issues, vote for me. If you agree with me on 10 out of 10 issues, see a psychiatrist."
Thank you for making me laugh today!
I am one of the generation that fought for the 26th Amendment, which gave 18-year-olds the right to vote. My first election was a local one, my first national election was 1976. I have not failed to vote in every national and the vast majority of local elections ever since. We demanded suffrage because of the ways in which our "elders" had taken advantage of us; we fought for a right that people younger than we have neglected. I am not very tolerant of people who whine about stuff but then say they cannot be bothered to vote or they haven't found the perfect match to their myriad likes and desires. It's childish, ego-driven, and entitled. Um, who does THAT sound like?!
I have voted since McGovern ran and have said " if you don't vote, then sit down and shut up "
I came of age before the 26th Amendment, but I was of age to have a Selective Service card when I turned 18. And, yes I felt it was a grave injustice that I we 18-year-old boys could be sent into a war & have no say in the politicians who made them. Along with all the other protests of Vietnam, this too was caused by it.
From Wikipedia:
"Why was the 26th Amendment passed?
Responding to arguments that those old enough to be drafted for military service, should be able to exercise the right to vote, Congress lowered the voting age as part of the Voting Rights Act of 1970. ... Endorsed by Speaker Carl Albert of Oklahoma, the amendment passed the House by a vote of 401 to 19, on March 23, 1971."
Sandra P. Campbell, I also saw that segment on PBS News Hour... I was disheartened, to say the least. Each of those four individuals who wanted to vote only for a candidate they TOTALLY liked/agreed with, is more than likely applying that same self-centered thinking to the rest of their lives. It's maddening and saddening (if that is a word...) -- but in the end, there is not much I can do about them. I'm trying to maintain a grip on my innate optimism... so, although it might seem ostrich-like, I can think of dozens of people who think and act in the complete opposite manner to those four dunderheads on PBS News Hour. This, along with HCR's wonderful daily report and all of the people here who have joined the community of "Heather's Herd," gives me hope. :-)
Rev. Judith, the Pollyanna in me is in constant battle with the Cassandra in me. They have been wrestling for my attention, not to mention my sanity, for four years. I pray for resolution this week! 🙄
Oh, me TOO!!! But you know -- we will survive, somehow.
This is why I could not even watch "60 Minutes" on Sunday. They were interviewing some really stupid woman who admitted to or ignored the many, many reasons that voting for tRump was not in her own best interest AND YET SHE WOULD VOTE FOR HIM! I switched to a DVD before they got to the politically naive who needed a PERFECT candidate for all their checklist, or even said they were not interested in voting BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SEE A DIFFERENCE between the candidates. Reminded me of a very well-educated former friend who threw her vote away on Jill Stein because she could not vote for Hillary Clinton who was not even in the ballpark of "lesser of 2 evils." Despite the FACT that our president in our current system would be a Democrat or a Repugnant, she threw her vote away on a "conscience" third party candidate. (I was surprised to see that there were 7 candidates on the ballot for president this year)
I am such a pragmatic person. People like those you described are impossible for me to understand. I do understand people have different concerns. but get over them and get the best person in office!
Rob, You've just pointed out a major weakness in the two party system that forces us to choose between two party nominees that were not necessarily chosen in a democratic way. I agree with John Adams that the two party system would be the worst evil to befall the Constitution. Yes, I voted "Republican" in 2016 -- that is I voted for two fine honest competent former Republican Governors on the Libertarian ticket. I had already voted for Bill Weld twice for governor of Massachusetts. Hillary Clinton represented the continuation of the "establishment" oligarchy while Donald Trump was totally unfit for the job. To me I voted for my first and for me the only viable choice. And, I kept my personal integrity in doing so. I actually registered as a Republican for the primary to vote against Donald Trump. I vote for the best person to represent me and usually that does line up with the Democratic candidate but not always. Both represented extremes and I was with the 40% of the voters who are Moderates or Independents. The two parties are validating John Adams statement in this century. At least you can say the election of Donald Trump has finally made people understand democracy is not easy nor guaranteed and get out and vote. I am heartened by the turn-out for this election. The two parties aremoving more and more to the extremes and are controlled by big money rather than the People. I am one of the moderates who has no representation these days as we watch our government become an oligarchic kleptocracy and totally stalled by the winner-take-all rules in the Congress that are anything but democratic. So, I question who was the one who threw their vote away! I'd say you reinforced the status quo which is no longer a democracy. We need to over-turn Citizens United, get rid of the winner-take-all distortion of the Electoral College and Chairs in the Congress as two examples. It is time to get rid of this arbitrary wall, the aisle between the two parties and start being the United States, a democratic republic, again.
The Status-Quo is not going to be changed in a U.S. Presidential General Election by ppl throwing their vote away by giving it to a 3rd Party who hasn’t a chance to win. They are merely supporting the Greater of Two Evils by not voting for their Perceived Lesser of Two Evils. It is naive to think otherwise with a conscience vote.
I am registered as NPA (No Party Affiliation). In 2016 I changed to Dem so I could vote for Bernie Sanders in the Florida Primary. I got so pissed that the ESTABLISHMENT (Debbie Wasserman-Shultz & Hillary Clinton) sandbagged Sanders in the primary that I left the Dem and am again NPA. Still, I voted for Hillary in the General Election. Even tho she was not my first choice, she was the ONLY choice because of the reality of our entrenched 2-party system. I can rationalize that I actually voted against tRump. (I really wish we had a choice to put a negative vote on a candidate, that would subtract one of his cultist’s votes. :)
Actually, in Nevada you have the choice "None of these candidates". One has to start somewhere with changing the system. I learned a lot from my first choice vote. In particular, that bipartisan and nonpartisan are very different concepts. And, you see a lot of states starting to experiment with system like Maine using Ranked Choice Voting which I also support. And, places like California have primaries where the best two candidates even if from they are from the same party run in the election. Haven't heard of the negative vote idea -- sounds like you're getting two votes that way but I'd have to think about it some more. So my vote was for long term change; yours was for the short term. We need both. That's how democracy works and hopefully we'll keep moving toward "a more perfect union".
I should add that Ranked Choice Voting does eliminate the "throwing away your vote" by voting for a minor party since the second choice of the voters of the candidate with the least votes then goes to those candidates until a candidate reaches a majority. I'm an engineer so I'm always looking for ways to improvement everything. And, I want to be represented again! If we can choose to support the present reality or we can support a better future reality. And, accept the consequences of our decision.
I felt the same way. Immature narcissistic people. It’s a moral crisis
I talked to a young woman yesterday who told me she’s not voting “because it just doesn’t seem important to me.” I told her it’s important to ME that her community (POC) are treated fairly, so I voted for Biden. She thanked me, but I wonder if she’ll ever be a regular voter.
I saw that interview and you echo my sentiments exactly. With so much at stake not only for the US, but the rest of the world I am fed up with the attitude of I am not going to vote because you don't have my chosen candidate
Last night my daughter told me she will not be voting. She is in the unfortunate position of living with me, a staunch Biden supporter who thinks that tRump is the spawn of Satin, and having a boyfriend who is a small business owner who supports tRump. She has been bombarded by information from him and me, both for and against the candidates. She picked up her ballot at the clerk's office on Saturday with the intention of voting, but came home sobbing. She said that she "just can't do it".
I am bitterly disappointed, but respect her decision and can only hope she doesn't someday regret it.
Cathy, at least she didn't vote for tRump! My son, daughter in law & grandsons are living with me & I think they lean R. I try not to ask but whenever I rant I'm told they don't follow politics or all politicians are evil. It was first time voting for my grandson & from some of his comments, I think he voted t.
Are they even paying attention to any news? Are they that horribly ill-informed?
Or worse? Are they getting their 'news' from Facebook and Twitter? I cringe when I hear people - people I used to think were smarter than this - say, "Well, I saw it on Twitter", like that gives it some kind of credibility!!
I just wrote about some of that above. It's really flabbergasting the things people believe blindly without doing their own research.
There's a website called ISideWith.com where you answer a bunch of questions on your positions and it then it tells you how well you match candidates in their answers to the same questions. I find it a very useful exercise to do.
What is important to them I wonder?
If I remember correctly, the 50ish man was the only one who mentioned a specific and it was taxes. The younger ones were pretty vague.
This is what makes me want to punch people like those four in their faces. Repeatedly.
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.
Beautifully expressed, Doc.
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!
Better a banana than a banana republic. Vote BidenHarris!
Ha! I didn't think of that!
😁👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
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.
It's the uneducated voter that worries me. ...