I Voted Today in Arlington, VA

[BeliQueen]

When I showed up at the Obama Arlington Headquarters to report for my volunteer shift, I was directed to vote early today.

Since there seemed to be an abundance of people working the phones, I agreed.

My new BFF Diane gave me a ride from headquarters to the polling place. She decided not to vote early since she told her husband she would keep him company on Tuesday.

When I arrived I mistakenly took the very long line that circled the lobby as the line for voting, but the shock was to come when I was directed outside to the true end of the line that rounded the courtyard. It was an hour long before you could even get into the building. All total I waited 3 1/2 hours to vote.

By the time I sat down with my paper ballot, the act of voting was perfunctory. The magnitude of voting for the first black president in American history didn't hit me until a few hours later. I decided to see a few movies since the polling place was so close to one of my favorite theaters. And during "The Secret Life of Bees," I finally realized that I played a part in American history. And the tears began to flow and wouldn't stop. (Really good movie, BTW--highly recommended.)

So now I am free to volunteer on Tuesday first thing and work the whole day. Totally worth it.

[writes3000]

1. Your post made me tear up. Thank you for sharing and thank you for voting & volunteering.

[SharonRB]

2. I voted absentee our our city clerk's office today

We don't have early voting per se, but I got it out of the way by voting absentee in person so I could get to the office early to volunteer on Tuesday.

It really felt great!

[soothsayer]

3. I'm in Arlington, too, but isn't our early vote considered absentee? and therefore...not counted?

except if needed...? oh who cares, arlington always goes dem.

[Heather MC]

5. I can see my voting location from my house, so I am going to vote at 6am

So I can volunteer on the 4th

[democrattotheend]

4. I just saw the Secret Life of Bees tonight in Arlington too

Were you at the theater in Courthouse? I saw it tonight and I was crying, especially at the part where she was beaten for trying to register to vote. Got me thinking about how amazing it is that we've come...seeing that movie was really powerful right now, being on the cusp of electing the first black president in US history.

[BeliQueen]

6. Yes, I was at Courthouse.

I went to see the 7:10 show.

Yes, it was great to see how far we've come. Really liked that movie.

It's rare that a movie is as good as the book, and this is one of the really good adaptations.