I waited until today to vote because I wanted to stand in line with other people who would be excited to vote and they were. I’m usually the 3rd or 4th person in line when I arrive before 7am. This morning I got there about 6:30 and I was closer to 20th in line. The line quickly went around the building and around the 7/11 parking lot next door.
People were standing absolutely quietly in line. Maybe because it was early but the woman who got in line behind me said she had never been so excited to vote and the woman who was getting in line behind her and said she was surprisingly emotional about it.
The atmosphere felt a little like being in church on Christmas Eve, full of anticipation and yes, hope. Hope that our voices would be heard.
The crowd was at least ¾ s female and mostly younger than me.
I know I was excited. I haven’t been this excited to vote since June 6, 1972, my first time. I have to admit I voted Republican that first time because my parents were Republican but that was the only time and after Cam and I came out Mom and Dad started voting Democratic while still being registered Republicans because of the hate the Republicans were spewing against gay people. I don’t think they ever voted for a Republican again. Having gay kids made them converts. For my dad it was a switch back, he was a Democrat until he married my mom. The difference between being raised on a rural farm in Illinois and having been deprived during the Depression , riding the rails as a hobo and having joined FDR’S CCC in California to get a meal and a job and finally joining a union and a woman whose parents were well of during the Depression in California and who hated FDR.
So today I voted for the women who went before to give me a choice to make my voice heard. Please vote, it’s so very important.
Election Day Playlist
All over the world – Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger
America the Beautiful – Melinda Carroll
America the Beautiful/ This Land is Your Land – The Limeliters
America (My Country Tis of Thee) Craig Duncan
Battle Hymn of the Republic – Craig Duncan
Be thou my vision – Craig Duncan
Blowin’ in the Wind – Peter, Paul and Mary
Boys in Green – John McCutheon
Da Pacem – Libana
Don’t lose heart – Cris Williamson
Dona, Dona, Dona – The Chad Mitchell Trio
Dona Nobis Pacem – Melinda Carroll
Dona Nobis Pacem – Yo Yo Ma
Every day heroes and heroines – Deidre McCalla
Follow the light – John McCutcheon
Freedom is Coming – Circle of Songs Kate Marks and Friends
From a Distance – Bette Midler
Hawaiian Roller Coaster – Kamehameha Schools Children’s Choir
Hard Times Come Again No More – Yo Yo Ma, James Taylor, Edgar Meyer, Mark O’Connor
Hills of America – Emerald Rose
I will be gentle with myself – Circle of Song – Kate Marks
Ishq’ Allah – Melinda Carroll
Jubilate Gaia – Libana
Just around the Riverbend – Judy Kahn
Last Night I had the Strangest Dream – The Limeliters
Let there be peace on earth – Melinda Carroll
Peace is – Fred Small
Peace Prayer Mandala – Libana
Peace Train – Cat Stevens
Ready for the storm – Kathy Mattea
Singing for our lives – Holly Near
Something about the women – Holly Near
We shall not be moved – The Seekers
Well, may the world go – John McCutcheon & Tom Chapin
Women of our time – Judy Small