i managed a polling site in '04. i certainly didn't take it for granted, but it was a 16+hr day and it's hard to not be a little wiped out after the 10th or 11th hour.

then this 90+ year old lady comes in. her family came to America from China to escape some bullshit back in the 20's. she had a framed photograph of her and her family with whatever official administered their citizenship oath. she said she voted in every election, always in person, and always brought that pic with her. i had such a hard time not visibly tearing up while she talked. it was also one helluva motivator/energy boost for me.

there were a couple similar experiences, but that was by far the most moving. words can't express how much i hate those who fuck around with our elections and abuse the faith of average Americans who believe in this country.

edited to add: not that there weren't facepalm moments where it was hard not to ask a voter how they even managed to leave their house or if they even feed themselves, but...

i managed a polling site in '04. i certainly didn't take it for granted, but it was a 16+hr day and it's hard to not be a little wiped out after the 10th or 11th hour.

then this 90+ year old lady comes in. her family came to America from China to escape some bullshit back in the 20's. she had a framed photograph of her and her family with whatever official administered their citizenship oath. she said she voted in every election, always in person, and always brought that pic with her. i had such a hard time not visibly tearing up while she talked. it was also one helluva motivator/energy boost for me.

there were a couple similar experiences, but that was by far the most moving. words can't express how much i hate those who fuck around with our elections and abuse the faith of average Americans who believe in this country.