By now, we’ll know the unofficial results of Tuesday’s general election.
Some of the races may be too close to call, so we’ll have to wait for the absentee and provisional ballots to be counted later this week and next.
Those votes made the primary election that much more exciting, especially in the race for delegate in Southern Harford District 34, where Marla Posey-Moss narrowly defeated incumbent B. Daniel Riley.
Unlike in the primary election, I voted early this time around. When it was being discussed, I didn’t really like the idea of early voting — it seems to take the excitement out of Election Day in general.
But I believe it’s everyone’s obligation and responsibility to vote, especially in these “mid-term elections,” when we elect the people who will make the decisions that affect me closest.
As the general election approached, I was unsure if I’d be able to vote that day. Due Friday with our second child, I was actually hoping I would be delivering a baby and wouldn’t make it. Alas, that doesn’t appear to have happened (though there’s still time as of this writing Monday morning). Still, I didn’t want to take the chance, so I cast my ballot last week.
I was there along with what seemed like every senior citizen in Harford County. I found it interesting that of the 30 or so people who were there when I was, only a half-dozen appeared to be younger than 40. Other reports I’ve heard, however, indicate it wasn’t strictly older people who voted early — my just-turned-18-year-old neighbor across the street was among those casting a ballot. I’m sure she wasn’t the only one.
My early vote didn’t stop the last-minute recorded phone calls, however, which kept coming all weekend. And because my husband and I have different political affiliations, we got them from both parties, making sure we get out to vote (the Republicans don’t want us to) and urging us not to listen to everything you hear (O’Malley lies).
The addition of early voting takes away the apathetic person’s excuse that he can’t make it to the polls because he had to work, or is out of town that day. With early voting, you don’t have to sign up for an absentee ballot, all you have to do is show up on one of six days and vote. Surely, you’re free one of those six... If you’re not, then I don’t want to hear your complaining.
I still would rather cast my ballot the day of the election — it makes me feel more a part of the event. I feel more patriotic, more involved. I’ll get my chance again in two years.
This year, our baby took priority, as he or she and my son will for the next 18 years.
We’re having one of those “blizzard babies” Abrielle Willis wrote about last week.
My “end of 2009” column had this line: “Oh, and maybe Baby Butler No. 2, perhaps? We’ll see.”
No perhaps about it anymore. Once this baby arrives, if it ever does, I’ll be home with our new bundle for the rest of the year, so this is my last column for 2010.
Which is why I’m sending out all my holiday greetings just a bit early.
Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year and every other holiday. Be safe and enjoy the holiday season.