by Early voting in the general election for North Carolina opened this past Thursday, October 15th. The Complementary Spouse and I decided to avoid the rush and we went this morning to vote.
I think we waited all of maybe five minutes in line. With few exceptions, everyone in line was a senior citizen. In most areas this would be good news. I just don’t know how it plays in south Asheville.
In NC’s early voting process, you have to sign a form confirming your name and address, show your photo ID (as well you should!), and then confirm the ballot and the form’s numbers match. We now have these machines where you insert the paper ballot, you make your selections on a touchscreen, and then it prints it out. You then take the printed ballot with all your selections to the ballot reader.
Of course, we voted for Michael Whatley for US Senate and Jennifer Balkcom for the US House plus the conservative judges on the ballot. Every time a TV ad appears for Whatley’s opponent, Roy Cooper, my incredibly bright younger granddaughter Aria says, “Cooper Pooper”. For the record, I did not teach her this.
Anyone who had no opposition – all Democrats in our case – got no vote. I’m of the opinion that when a candidate is unopposed that voters should be given the choice of yes or no with the requirement that the candidate gets at least 50% yes votes. This should be the case for a candidate of any party.
I doubt anyone who reads my blog will sit out this election. If you are considering it, please reconsider. There is too much at stake here.
