The Texas Two Step

In 2004, I waited in line for 2 hours to cast my vote in the super-important presidential election between George W. Bush and John Kerry. My wife waited 3 hours. I went early in the morning (which, if you know me, is a feat in itself), and my wife went after work. In all my years of voting (and that's not many really), I never felt like my vote counted as much as it did in Ohio in 2004. The country was waiting on our vote. I went to bed thinking one candidate had won just to wake up and find out that another took his place.

Today, I stood in line for 15 minutes for the primary voting in Texas. It was early in the morning again. Snow blanketed our North Texas landscape from the night before, but things were melting quickly as our sun pushed us up to 60 degree weather. I cast my vote in relative ease and looked forward to the caucusing tonight. In all of my research, I came up more confused about the caucus process for the Democratic party than before I started any at all. Texas Democrats are about as clear as a saloon window in West Texas.

I went back tonight to place my vote, again. There were about 150-200 people in line to vote, and election officials were closing off the voting line. The line next to it that led to the caucus was twice as long. They moved us into the school quickly, and we snaked our way through the building. We were told that caucusing wouldn't start until the last vote was placed. Luckily, I had grabbed a journal to read in line.

Once in line, we began questioning each other about the process. Could we sign and leave? Did we have to stay? How many delegates are determined here? What if you early voted, did you have to come back for this as well? I awaited about an hour and a half before I entered the cafeteria where I could cast my vote, again. It seemed like the officials did wait until the last vote was cast in the primary, which had been told to us. What I don't understand is the whole purpose for the caucus anyway.

It's reasonable to think that I would give the same vote to the person for whom I voted earlier in the day. It's unreasonable to expect people to come back again to voice something we've already said. What about all those who were at work who couldn't make it back? What about all those who have responsibilities at home? What about all those who chose to stay home and help their kids prepare for the statewide testing tomorrow that will take place at the same school we filled? It seems odd and convoluted to show up again. Of course, precinct delegates will be chosen tonight to go to the state convention later in this year, but who wants to stay around another hour for that?

I've been listening to the news media talking about how Texas Democrats have fouled up this latter process of caucusing. I can't say that really happened in my precinct. What I can say is that the voting system we have nationwide is ill-prepared to handle the overload if all of us decide to show up. It's created for a smaller voting turnout because that's what has happened in years past. We're showing now that folks better start getting more election officials at locations and more voting machines ready, because we're turning up more and more.

I was privileged to be in another state where it felt like my vote really did matter. Early on in my voting life, it seemed that my vote was a lost cause because I lived in a state that didn't want to hear a democratic voice. Today was a different story. It was great to be surrounded by my fellow American citizens as we took place in a process that doesn't fill our lives normally. If America is really going to change, it won't be because of the leaders we elect. It will be because we cared enough to SHOW UP and PARTICIPATE. When was the last time we could say with confidence that we all were voicing our care and concern for our country. I can point to this time now, and I hope it continues for many years to come.

(pic courtesy of www.barackobama.com)