A few minutes ago, I got home, wet and bedraggled. And feeling really good.
For the past few presidential elections, I've voted early and volunteered to work for my candidate in a nearby state. In 2004, I found myself driving little old ladies to the polls in Bucks County, Pennsylvania - thanks to the navigation system in my fancy real estate car! This year, it was in a much closer battleground state, doing whatever was needed at Barrett Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia. I volunteered with an old friend and former neighbor, Maureen Wilmot, who was here on business from her home in California.
It was pretty uneventful. By the time Maureen and I arrived, the early morning mob scene had thinned out, and there were more poll watchers than there were voters! We were asked to make sample ballots available to voters who wanted them and to be available if anyone needed any kind of help.
The elderly, for example, could vote from their car if they were unable to negotiate the steps into the school, and we might have to run inside to grab one of the poll workers to bring out a ballot. If things got congested in the parking lot, we were ready to help direct traffic. We were to just stay alert for anyone with a problem. And then, I saw a chance to really help somebody.
Sonika Das was a first time voter. She had been sent to Barrett from another polling place. Then she learned that she actually needed to be at yet another voting venue a couple of miles away. Her mom (and driver) needed to get to work. Sonika looked a little distraught, realizing she would not be able to get there. and I said, "Get in my car. I'll take you!"
So she hopped in, and off we went.
"You didn't even ask me who I'm voting for," she said.
I told her it didn't matter. This was her first vote, and she'd remember it for a long time. I just wanted those memories to be happy ones.
Then, when we reached St. Anne's church, I got out of the car and told her to let me know if there was any problem at all. There was a slight glitch, and it was worked out by one of the on-site attorneys who made sure she was properly registered and cleared the way for her to get a ballot.
Then Sonika voted - for the first time!
The other funny thing that happened was that, while Sonika was voting, I ran into a client who is a reporter for a Japanese radio network, and she happened to be at St. Anne's looking for voters to interview - so Sonika got to be interviewed for a radio broadcast that will be heard on the other side of the world!
When you get to be my age, you can feel pretty jaded about politics and our elected representatives. Meeting Sonika Das, excited and idealistic, was one of those wonderful little gifts from the Universe! And I am really grateful.
I loved this story!!!! A positive voter memory. Thanks for this Pat...it brought back the light side of all this and the more important aspect of an election. The right to vote!
Pat~ Loved the story. It doesn't matter so much who someone votes for, just so they get out there and vote! It is hard to believe that so many people don't vote!
How cool is that? What a great story and you ROCK for recognizing the importance and seizing the opportunity to aid her in the voting process.
Great story and it's great that you have helped so many in many ways!
Was I supposed to vote for Ralph Nader this year? Once again you show why you are a super star both in and out of real estate.
Hey Pat, this is such a nice story! Thanks for being out there volunteering your time helping our voting process, I think I may help the next time...
Hi Pat... this is a great story, We get jaded over time, but can be "snapped back" to the wonder of it all by events like you describe. sounds like you had a great day!
In this area, due to major irregularities four years ago, we now all have to vote by mail-in or drop-off ballot. The days of polling places are gonsky.
Hey Everybody! Thanks for your comments. This was a really fun post to write! Helping out at the polls is really fun and worthwhile! In DC, we often feel like out vote doesn't matter all that much, because we always go Democratic. But when you can make a difference in another jurisdiction, it feels good to try.
And Cindy, I know Ralph Nader, remember? I love the guy and he is a fabulous consumer advocate, and he was a fabulous boss. I'll stop now!
Pat, you were great to go out and help people get to the polls. I hope the election goes my way and that my way is your way! LOL
Pat.
I know Sonika will always remember this day because of you. We need more people in this world like you.
Patricia- That was very kind of you. It is so exciting to vote for the first time, like Simon Conway too! It was my 20 year old daughters first time to vote too. She asked if I would stay home until she was out of the universty class so she could go with me to vote. Nestor and the boys all voted early in the morning. So I went with my daughter and it was so exciting for her.
Hi Patricia! What a great story...I'm glad you shared that with us. It was great being at the polls today...so much positive energy everywhere. :)
Katerina, your daughter must have been so excited - and you must have been excited for her!
Pat... I love the ending of this blog.... this is how the world should turn. I am just so glad that this election is over, so I don't have those slanderous commercials every 20 minutes...
I'm so embarrased that I did not more to help people get to the polls. I will do better.
What a fantastic story. Thanks for being a good American!! You just inspired me to be more active helping others to get there for the next elections! Thanks!
Pat, You're a great American, it was a great day. I think Obama is going to be a great President - bipartisan, diverse and new.
God Bless Amerca!
Patricia,
At least you found the way to get some positive experience from the voting. A lot of people simply couldn't wait when it ends.
Well, it is finally over
I enjoyed your story. Volunteerism is a foreign thing to me. I haven't learn it yet, and i think it is great to be a volunteer.
Pat,
Another uplifting story in your blog. Not a big surprise there.
I had the pleasure of standing in line and voting with my daughter at her 1st real vote. Her insights and comments made the process more meaningful for me.
You touched Sonika's life in a way that I'm sure she will remember every time she votes, for a lifetime.
Congratulations.
Patricia - That is pretty exciting! It was really great of you to drive her to where she needed to go... :)
Pat- I liked what you told her...it didn't matter who she voted for, just that she voted :) Nice.
Great story. Thanks so much for sharing. This is an event that many of us will remember for a long time.
Pat -- How warm inside you must have felt. As you write, it is such a natural impulse to help --and she WILL have happy memories of her first voting ecperience, and the woman who made it so. Great work!
Pat - I'm sure she will always remember her first election for a variety of reasons, but not least of all, she'll remember the woman who helped her get to to the polls. Way to go, Pat!
Hi Pat, I love this story! And I also like that you focused on that she voted -- and not on who she voted for. I'm sure that she will always remember that day!
Loved this Pat :-)
What a FABULOUS story, Patricia! Regardless of one's politics, this was a memorable election all by itself...but for those who were FIRST TIMERS...well, this one got a double-dose of "special".
And congratulations on being a part of the process. For that young Sonika Das, one of the nicest parts of her first time experience was YOU! No doubt you are not the only one recalling this wonderful experience for others to hear and see. I suspect SHE is as well!
That was great, your a very generous person.
What a great story to start the week with. Thank you for sharing.
Great story. We're in a Great Country.
I've been a poll worker. I could relate to the 'early morning mob' description. There were a lot of grouchy folks, and I had a good time lightening the atmosphere by joking with them.
What is going on with AR? Wasn't this featured a while ago? Just curious?
being a poll workers is one of the most important social services a person can do for their country and the people of their community, it is also thankless, so "Thank You" !
Great experience. I always think senior citizens are a great treasure. You surely know how to communicate with this treasure.
Patricia -
Great share - and incredible that you found the time to give to another who needed your help during the election.
We did a little work, and, man, was it demanding. Glad for the outcome, however.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday - call us anytime!
DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
Pat~this is a great story and know how good you must feel! My assistant Carol took the time to go early in the morning on election day (even though she had already voted early) with her daughter who was voting for the first time. Her daughter "got it". This was an important right she could exercise. It did not matter if her candidate won she had participated and had a voice in making history!
Patricia - What a story! It's refreshing to read this in the face of all the cynicism we hear and often times feel.
Hi Patricia,
I think that this was a very positive election in a very negative world where everything else has been going very, very wrong.
You helped make it that way by being non-partisan. I did my bit by phoning for my candidate in other States...NY is always blue so the only way to get involved is phone outside the state or drive to another battleground. I called FL, PA, and NM for Obama. So i was partisan....however I did offer to take my very ill, but very REPUBLICAN father to the polls. He didn't feel up to it though....
Patricia - what a great story this is! Thanks for sharing it with all of us :-) I took my two children to vote with me this year for the first time and they really thought they were something special when the nice volunteers gave them each an "I Voted" sticker !!!
Patricia - what a great story this is! Thanks for sharing it with all of us :-) I took my two children to vote with me this year for the first time and they really thought they were something special when the nice volunteers gave them each an "I Voted" sticker !!!
Patricia~
Not only are you smart, and professional, ...and funny...but See! This is what makes you shine....You wrote..." I saw a chance to really help somebody..."
Patricia, I'm so happy to see this. I had a remarkable day too but you did a great job of explaining how we can all help a bit on election day; it doesn't matter how we vote! We all have the right.
Excellent story and I'm so glad it was highlighted.
Patricia.. This is a wonderful story... and what America is all about. We should be there for one another..no matter who we voted for. The fact that is was Sonja's first time voting, and she was on the radio... kudos to her... and you too for making this happen.
Patricia- what a touching story and I don't care who you or Sonja voted for, it's a wonderful thing you did. Voting is a resposibility and you took yours a step further and made it an opportunity for others. Bless you.
Hi Patricia,
Your skepticism has nothing to do with age: "When you get to be my age, you can feel pretty jaded about politics and our elected representatives."
I am 31 and have lost complete confidence in our leaders. This current crisis has been coming down the pipe for the past year and nobody in Washington did a thing about it until we have been brought to the brink of this economic disaster.
Totally cool. I, too, volunteer on election day. Only I get paid...you have to make a buck when and where you can in this market. Anyway, I am usually an election judge. I get the happy responsiblity of check folks in when they show up to vote. I've seen many people come to vote that would make good stories. But, like you, my favorite was the first time voter. She was a young girl, and had really big eyes, trying to take in the entire process. We, all of us election judges, took extra good care of her. We explained everything to her, took our time with her and assured her that she could do nothing wrong that couldn't be repaired. When she was done, and had submitted her ballot, the entire room cheered and gave her a standing ovation. Well, she blushed, but I'll bet she left feeling really great! I know we all did.
Gota wonder what made her think to ask the question. I volunteer every two years and have never been asked.
Patricia - What a truly wonderful story and experience!!!! Congratulations for being so helpful to others and helping this first time voter!
What a wonderful experience for you, and you never would have had it if you hadn't decided to volunteer to help others! Once again, it proves that when we give to others, it is really us who benefit. Sonika won't forget what you did either.
Ok, you brought a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat. I just love hearing about real life heroes you must feel very good inside. Love it.
Pat~ That is so cool that you drove Sonika & she got to be interviewed too! Thanks for the heartfelt story.
What a great story, congratulations on getting someone to their first vote. It is so important and a right of ours that should be taken advantage of!
Very cool Patricia - It is so awesome of you to do your part.
That is pretty cool, Thanks for sharing. Thats great they had drive up voting, I felt sorry for the handicap I saw in VA in line in the rain.
I took my daughter to the polls for the first time, she is 18. She was so excited and it made my excited. It had to do with emotions and not duty. When we came out we were interviewed too and put in the local paper. It made a nice story for her to remember her first time voting.
I really enjoyed readinng this blog. A great story, indeed, and great job, Patricia.