"Who you vote for?"

Though the elections were almost 3 weeks ago, I wanted to share my voting experience as a sequel to my voting story for the primaries back in February...

Scott and I decided to walk over to our polling place together and cast our vote before he headed off to work. So at just a few minutes to 8:00 a.m., my little family of 3 strolled over to our polling place. Memories came back to my mind as I recalled what took place last time I voted here on February 5th. I had learned my lesson that day - ask to vote electronically from the get-go, so as not to draw unwanted attention to myself in case I am handed the wrong party's ballot and have to return it, ask for my party's ballot, discover they don't have any, then opt to vote electronically...wow, that was quite a February 5th.

We arrived in a matter of minutes, and were thankful to find that the line wasn't too long. We inched our way up to the front and one of the first things I said was "We'd like to vote electronically. Thank you." We stepped in line for the electronic machine (one off in the corner), while a man took an incredibly long time reading through every single name on the ballot (there were about a gazillion judges or something, I later found out, that I just skipped over)...

It was my turn to vote, and the first thing I did was incorrect. I didn't put my card in all the way and they had to re-boot the machine. Oh please, oh please work, machine! I am so sorry for offending you. Please work. I don't want to have to ask for my party's ballot in front of all these people who I know are voting differently than me and make for another embarrassing situation!

Phew, it was a very forgive machine and booted up again nicely.

Unfortunately, there was a gentlemen in between me and Scott, so Micah and I had to chill out while Scott waited his turn to vote. My fear that this voting experience may be as awkward as my first began to depart, as I realized this process was almost over and I could leave soon, unembarrassed.

I was mistaken...

While we waited for Scott's turn to vote, I saw two familiar neighborhood kids walk into the building, being no more than 7 years old. I knew them by name, so I thought I'd say hello. Oh, I didn't have too. They came right up to us and, in front of everyone there, asked,

Boy:
Who you vote for?

Me:
[I'm taken aback and scramble for words]
Well, hi there! How's your grandma doing?

Boy:
[blatant disregard for my question]
Who you vote for?

Me:
[trying to turn the table]
Who would you vote for if you could vote?

Boy:
[quick reply, then]
Who you vote for?

Me:
[trying to change the subject]
Hey, are you still involved in the Breakthrough program, how's that going?

Boy:
[head nod, then]
Who you vote for?

Me:
[really uncomfortable as I feel all eyes on us, and ears listening, knowing that everyone around is catching on to the fact that I didn't vote the way they did]
It's a secret.

Boy:
[being obnoxious]
Who you vote for?

This went on for awhile, and boy was it awful. He was being so persistent! He knew what he was doing - making me squirm! Eventually Scott got through the electronic voting system, and we high-tailed it out of there. Boy, was that boy the cause for voter intimidation, or what?!

What's the count for embarrassing, uncomfortable, awkward voting experiences at my polling place? 2 for 2. Maybe next time I'll vote from home on an absentee ballot...