Election Day

After months of seeing nothing but nasty campaign ads, two hours in line and dragging Megan along to vouch for me, I voted for the second time in my life. Maybe I did it as part of my responsibility as an active citizen. Maybe I did it all for the sticker and the free Chipotle burrito. That's between me and the election gods.

The pressure is really on for college students to vote these days. In each of the four classes I've had so far this week, the teacher has asked us to go vote. But their inspirational speeches varied widely. Here's a snapshot:
Prof. O'Connell (Spanish): I'm not going to tell you who to vote for, and I'm not going to give you candy if you go vote. But please vote.
Prof. Warren (Child Psych): Are any of you voting for the first time? That's so exciting! Sometimes I wish I could go out and vote, but I'm not a citizen [she's Danish]. Then again, sometimes I'm glad I don't have to.
Prof. Albrecht (Social Justice): It's the very least you can do as a citizen, the bare minimum.
Prof. Healey (English): Have you guys voted yet? I see a lot of red stickers...[he gives the class a serious stare]...I hope you voted for the right people.

Then again, I talked to people who didn't hear a single request to get out and vote from their professors.

Amy Klobuchar's daughter Abigail is in the class I volunteer with at Tuttle. I read the journal entry she wrote in class today over her shoulder. It said "Today is Election Day. Today it will finally be all over." Poor kid. But I must say, she's an excellent politician's daughter. She did a great job smiling and waving on TV tonight. I hope she gets to take the day off tomorrow.