Why Ohio ? Part Five: Bees And Pens

George Corneliussen

I voted this morning and jotted this down when I got back so I wouldn't forget it. To me, this story represents what life in my little burg is really like on election day.

It is 10:27 am Cincinnati time, and I am back from casting my vote.

Here's my story:

As I walked toward the polling station, two campaign workers ( one from each party) were standing in the rain handing out their party's literature. Neither one looked all that excited to be standing there. I told them both that I would take their literature, but that I wouldn't read it because I had already made my mind up as to who I would vote for. To their credit, they both laughed as they handed me their literature.

When I entered the polling station, I said hello to the people working inside ( I have voted at this location for the past eleven years, and the same people have worked there the entire time).

I checked in ( In Ohio you must now show ID in order to vote ) and waited for my turn to vote. This being the first election in Ohio with the new "optical ballot", I was surprised at how smoothly things seemed to be going.

When a booth opened up, a poll worked pointed me toward it and told me to "Go." Coming out of the booth was our 90 + year-old neighbor, "Mim". As Mim was leaving the booth and realized it was me, she struck up a very political conversation.

Quote: " George ! Hey, did you get rid of those bees in your back yard that were giving you such a hard time ?"

Me: " Mim! Yeah, I had to spray them. I felt bad about doing it, but I had to."

At that point we got a disapproving " Ah-Hem" from one of the poll workers.

I said goodbye to Mim and entered the booth. The first thing I noticed was that the pen I was supposed to fill out my ballot with was gone. I yelled out, to no one in particular, " Hey, there's no pen in here."

I heard Mim's voice calling back , " Oh, oh I have it. I guess I'm a pen thief"

I answered, " Uh-huh, I thought so. "

At that point, the now aggravated poll worked said " Ah- Hem !" even louder.

Mim gave me the pen. She left and I returned to my booth.

The first thing I noticed was a sign in the booth that explained that voters had to fill the box next to the choice they made totally in or the scanning machine couldn't scan it correctly. I couldn't help but wonder how many voters will just check the box or put an X in it when they vote today.

Oh well, I voted, got my "I voted" sticker, and am now back here typing this.

How did I vote ? Sorry that's classified information. However, if you want to talk to me about bees or pens, I'd be happy to throw my two cents in.

PS: All in all, things seem to be going very smoothly this election day. It is now 7:17 pm and preliminary results are beginning to be reported. Exit polls favor a heavy Democratic victory.