Wed. Nov 7, 2007

---

Yesterday the Wife and I exercised our constitutional right to vote. After breakfast at a favorite diner.

With bellies full of French toast and pancakes, we arrived at the designated polling place sometime after 10 am. The Wife went first with no hassles. But they couldn't find me in the Big Book of Registered Voters. They doubled checked the books and the rules and decided I needed to cast a Provisional Ballot. That is a paper ballot placed in a sealed envelope with a form attached to the flap of the envelope. The form contains my vital information that they can backtrack to confirm that I'm a registered voter (and I have been, at the same address for 23 years). Once confirmed, the form is removed, the envelope stamped "Approved," and it's tossed in with the rest of the approved provisional ballots (thus maintaining secrecy).

The Board of Elections will also contact me either for further information or to confirm that my ballot was approved. I still don't know if I'll hafta re-register or not. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

But it was a fun exercise in Local Government and it broke up an otherwise boring day for the ladies at the polling place.

I was happy to do my part.