This election galvanized voters of all parties. Everywhere I went yesterday, people sported “I Voted” stickers and were eager to discuss the election. My husband and I went to West Springfield High School at 7:15 AM to vote and found that the line was already snaking its way out of the building. But despite the early hour and the long line, people were upbeat and talkative, energized (in part) by the coffee and baked goods volunteers were selling outside, but mostly by a keen awareness that we were taking part in a historic election. Our long line moved swiftly, and in less than an hour, my husband and I were inside the school and voting. The use of scannable paper ballots made it possible for more people to vote at once, and this new voting method kept the line moving and frustration low. What about you? What happened when you went to vote?
On Mason’s campus, the weather was dreary and damp, but spirits were high.
Student Government ran vans to the Woodson High School polling place, and volunteers promoted this service by becoming “human advertisements.”
Rain apparently, does not damper revolutions!
This guy stole my heart!
Our university was not without its own drama. Yesterday morning, a hacker broke into the Provost’s email account and sent out a fake message announcing that the election had been moved to November 5th. Rumors circulated that Mason students who voted could lose their financial aid.
But such lame attempts proved ineffective against the smart and savvy youthful voters who went to the polls in record numbers. Your demographic – voters between the ages of 18 and 25 – voted overwhelmingly for Obama and helped power him to victory. Now it’s your turn to act upon that mandate and consider how you will help him guide our nation toward economic recovery, energy reform, and improved security both at home and abroad.
How will you meet the challenge Obama made to all Americans in his victory speech last night that change can’t happen without “a new spirit of patriotism, a new spirit of sacrifice?” How has this election influenced your outlook on the future and the role you will play in it as a working professional?
3 comments:
Election day at the polls was a very brief experience for me. I was in and out of the building in 10 minutes I arrived around 12:30, and there was barely any lines. I opted out of using the electronic ballots and used a standard paper one.
The outcome of this election is one to be remembered and will go down in the history books. I feel really blessed to have witnessed this memorable time and I truly am empowered by our country voting for an African-American president. I didn't think we were a racist country, and I knew that we would choose the right person for our new President. I did vote for Barack Obama, I think he's a great man, has a great family, and I am looking forward to the next four years with him in office. After learning a lot about his life, I know that he struggled and it just goes to show you that anythings possible if you have a dream. I hope he achieves what he wants for America and puts truth to his words. If he does do what he promised he would, I think our country will benefit greatly and everyone, democratic and republican, will be pleased.
My experience on election day was exciting but quiet. I recall waking up that day knowing that November 4th would always be remembered as a great day in American history regardless of the winner of the election. This was the first time in my life I actually physically went to the polling center to vote. It made me so proud to have that right and privilege as an American.
I think Barack Obama is right about unifying the people. We have been too divided as a nation for too long. I'm sure we will continue to be divided on many topics, but I hope we can really move forward. We do need to sacrifice. We need to drive less, and walk more. We need to use solar, wind, and all other kinds of energy to fuel this nation and make us energy independent. I think we also need to get out of this war and polish our name that has been tarnished in recent years. We can return to being the America the world wants us to be. I hope Barack Obama can motivate us the way he has motivated Americans through his campaign.
I really didn't do much on election day. I went to a elementary school by my house and it wasn't packed at all. In fact there wasn't even a line.. I went at about 2 so I assume most people voted already. After I left the school I went to class.
From the start I've never been interested in politics, but the turn out of this election was definitely of interest to me. As an african-american woman it definitely makes me feel like I can do so much more in my career than I could before. I know for my parents being immigrants from Jamaica and then later becoming citizens and the struggles they went through, this election has definitely impacted them, and they were so excited to see history being made before their eyes. I think in the future we're going to see a lot more diversity in politics. It will definitely be interesting to see how Obama does as president.
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