I voted last Wednesday, joining the line outside the Marion County Building at about 12:30 p.m. When you count all the bends and twists in the line, it must have been about two to three block long. But it was a nice day, everyone was friendly, and I was there to vote, dammit.
We chatted to each other, shared stories, and helped each other get through the afternoon - saving spots for people who had to use the restroom or go put more money in their parking meters. One of the men in line had brought a wheeled office chair to sit in while he waited, playing games or doing work on his laptop.
There was entertainment in the form of a couple combos, one performing R&B covers, the other jazz. The man in the top photo was writing poems using words provided by passers-by. It was nice to see his large hands working the keys of an old manual typewriter!
As we waited, deputies from the Sheriff's Department, walked the line, stopping every once in a while to get very elderly or disabled persons moved to another, shorter, line so they would not have to wait too long. One of the deputies stopped to ask me if I'd care to join the shorter line. I don't know why, but I was taking pictures at the time, so maybe that attracted his attention. I thanked him but turned him down, saying that, while I appreciated the offer, I am healthy and preferred to wait my turn with the others. He seemed both astonished and amused, but went on his way. At the time we'd gotten a bit more than half-way through the line.
In all, I waited about two and a quarter hours before we got inside the building to fill out and cast our ballots. The process went smoothly and I walked over to whole Foods Market for some groceries, then was on the bus for home around 3:30 p.m.
