What Happened To Election Day?
It used to be a time of celebration, not high anxiety
Ah, Election Day. An undeclared and unofficial holiday. The straight and serious guy’s version of the Super Bowl.
It’s Americana on full display. Unabashed and festive patriotism. Flatbed trucks with bunting and campaign slogans floating down main drags. The candidate’s portrait and party affiliation. Bullhorns and loudspeakers urging and reminding us to visit the polls.
The regalia and jingles: Vote, vote, vote your vote on November 3rd. It’s a very important vote, and it should be heard. Corny as heck, but who cares? It’s for one day. Let the diehards dress in their red, white, and blue getups.
Let us dance and be free. To hope for the best without expecting the worst. Once upon a time, Election Day was a social event. Bumping into old friends and neighbors at the polling stations. Fellow citizens enjoying our process and privilege.
We were curious but never asked who anyone voted for. We trusted each other’s privacy and their right to choose. Who and why remained off-limits and their business, unless they chose to advertise it on their front lawns. And despite this or not, a climate of respect prevailed.
Don’t be mistaken — the stakes couldn’t be higher. This is the most consequential election of our…
