Get Out the Vote!

Tomorrow is another election day. I would guess that I'm in the minority when I say that I actually look forward to each election day! However, I think I have a pretty good reason.

For about two years now I have worked as an election inspector at a precinct fairly close to my home. Although it is a LONG workday (6:00 AM to about 8:45 PM), I find it to be a nice little one-day vacation from my everyday life. I bring in my crossword puzzle books and Games magazines, which every other day of the year get rather neglected. In my former life I was a retail manager, so getting the opportunity to do some face-to-face customer service a few times a year is also very fun for me. But there is yet a bigger reason that I love election days.

I love them because I get to catch a glimpse of our next generation of voters! It is absolutely wonderful to see the number of parents who bring their children and teenagers with them to the polls. I was a history minor in college, with a focus on women's history, so I have a deep appreciation for what millions of people had to go through in order to gain the right to vote. It is easy for so many of us to just take that right for granted. Bringing children to the polls, as my parents did with me, helps them learn that this is something we do as active citizens of our community and of our world. Not only do we have the right to vote, we have been blessed with the privilege of voting, from those who went before us.

It's no surprise to me that many of the parents who bring their children into the precinct I work at are also Kindermusik parents, despite the fact that our precinct is located way over on the west side of Grand Rapids. Kindermusik parents tend to realize how important early-childhood development and learning are, so it makes sense that they would also place value on helping their children develop into contributing members of society.

So consider tomorrow, and November 4, and other future election days "Bring Your Children to Vote Day"! Talk with them about why you are there and what you will do while you are there. Show them the different facets of the polling place: the sign-in table, the actual ballot, the voting booth, the tabulator, etc. Explain to them (in the car) why you voted for whom and for what. Talk about what is at stake for each race or proposition.

And be sure to stop by the sticker table to get them an "I Voted" sticker! I know I will have several ready for my "regulars" tomorrow. See you at the polls!