Today is Florida’s Primary. Only registered Republicans are voting.
As I approached my designated polling precinct, I wondered if it had been relocated. Did I miss the notice that the Covered Bridge Clubhouse is no longer a voting precinct? Usually there are red, white & blue signs screaming VOTE TODAY stationed all the way from the entrance to the community to the clubhouse. Yet, today, not one sign. My eyes strained for a sign. I made my left hand turn into the clubhouse parking lot and saw one little sign near the front door. Hummmm.....maybe someone has complained about the signs?
Parking, of course, was not a problem.
I was surprised yet again that there was NOT a raucous crowd adorning the driveway and walk to the glass entrance doors. Usually, there are all sorts of folks, being loud, carrying signs, passing out cards, urging one verbally and in writing to vote for the candidate of THEIR choice. I have often wondered exactly where the 100-foot radius begins where campaigning must halt? Today, maybe due to the lack of bodies present, I see a very noticeable, distinct blue line drawn across the driveway stating that Florida Law prohibits campaigning past that point. Seems more like maybe 25 feet to me, but what do I know? At least there aren’t any hecklers present.
As I enter the doors, this cute, little, old man in some kind of a uniform inquires if he can help me. Again, I wonder if I’m in the right place. I say “I’m here to vote.” He asks me if I am a resident of Covered Bridge to which I reply “No, Palm Beach National”....but again I am wondering if my polling place has changed. He steps up quickly and points to the far side of the room, “That is your side.”
“Okay. I knew that.”
There are 3 bodies seated at tables with homemade signs splitting the alphabet into thirds. I say “Hi” to a young woman who looks like a twenty-teenager. However, the man in the middle beckons me to him. I say “Hi.” As I have already pulled my Voter’s Registration from my wallet for his inspection, he says he needs my driver’s license instead. Really? I wonder....why do they even issue voter’s registrations anymore since they just want to see the picture ID. Was also wondering if a Costco membership card would work.
I say, “Guess you can tell that only Republicans are voting today since all is so very quiet.”
The elder lady on the end, a Democrat most likely, responds “Many people voted early.”
“Yes,” I reply. “But with so many dropping out, it is very easy to cast a vote for a non-runner if one votes early.”
She scowls at me.
I knew it...she is definitely a Democrat.
I take my card – is that what they’re called? It’s definitely made out of card stock but is huge with only half of it able to be stuffed into a white folder with some red and blue patriotic fodder, no doubt – I don’t read it. Am looking for a booth. Wow! The “booths” are just stand-alones with a pen on a string attached. All the millions spent on the computers with touch screens and we are back to coloring in our choice with pen on a string? Where have I been? I’m sure I vote every time there is something or someone worthy of my time ....
The choices – wow! There are 9 of them!! Now I know that Michelle Bachmann dropped out, as well as Rick Perry and Herman Cain. Who is this Huntsman fellow and why are the dropouts STILL on the ballot? Only 4 are viable candidates, so why all the confusion? I smell conspiracy to divide and conquer.
I carefully color in the invisible line completing the arrow indicating my choice, then chuckle as I take my ballot to the “box.” It’s a scanner. I ask the box attendant if the ballot goes in upside down or right side up. He says, “It doesn’t matter.” I’m not alarmed. Now I recall I asked the exact same question last time and received the exact same answer. I still smell a conspiracy......
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