I got to my polling place (at a non-denominational church) at about 6:15 this morning, to find at least 100 people already lined up. By the time it opened at 6:30, at least another 100 people were behind me and the vehicles were rolling in to the parking lot. The lot was overflowing by the time I left at 7:00. A lot of people will probably learn the early voting lesson (not to vote early in the day, but to vote before Election Day!) after today.
While waiting in line I chatted with a gentleman who had been laid off from his job. He had been with some type of forestry company for a long time, was in his early 50s, and has been doing lawn work and landscaping all summer. He has two children ages 16 and 14. He is going to Wake Tech and will receive some kind of biotechnology training certificate in December. After that he hopes to find a job soon.
During our conversation we learned from each other where we go to church and sort of figured out each other’s voting tendencies, but I could tell the job issue was big for him. He said he knew he had to vote his faith, but it was obvious that he believed the present administration was culpable on jobs. It made me think that as much as the electorate has been portrayed as divided this year, I bet there are plenty like that guy who are conflicted as they fill out their ballots.
Last observation: Once he learned that I worked for the Locke Foundation, he was surprised and called us a “good organization.” Then he changed that and said “No, a great organization.” Kinda cool.
