*This is a lengthy post that is pretty pointless, and doesn't even have a single picture. But, I think it's pretty hilarious. Read at your own risk.*
This election, Tom and I learned a thing or two about voting. The hard way. And so, I have decided to share them with you so that you hopefully won't have to learn the same lessons the way we did.
1.) It is important to know how to read a map.
I thought I had read the precinct map a few weeks ago that was published in the paper, and I was pretty sure that Tom and I were supposed to vote at Madison Middle School. Seemed a little weird since we live quite a ways from there, but hey. It's Rexburg. They do things differently here. Wrong. Should have listened to the little voice questioning me - my husband.
2.) A Middle School is definitely different from a Junior High School.
Don't ask me. I didn't make up the rules. But if you think you are voting at the Middle School, don't drive to the Junior High. Not the same place.
We made it to the real Middle School and were comforted to see a lot more cars than at the Junior High, and a lot of younger couples. We felt more like we were in the right place. We walked in, and no line! Yes! We stepped right up there and the lady asked, "Is this your precinct?" We responded that we weren't positive, but were pretty sure. She then yelled - like yelled. loud. - clear across the room to another volunteer asking if where we lived was in this precinct. He came over and said, "Well, let's check the map." Hmmm...
3.) Bigger maps taped to the wall are a lot easier to read than small maps published in newspapers.
I was wrong. Way wrong. I obviously didn't know where we lived when I looked at the paper before. But Tom knew where we lived and he read the big map just fine. Our voting precinct was up on campus. Now that makes sense...
4.) When you take your car to a mechanic's shop, sometimes the problem disappears and causes embarrassment.
As we pulled into the Middle School parking lot, Tom and I heard a very bad noise. We eventually realized that it was coming from the passenger's side rear wheel. It was an icky grinding, clanking noise that sounded like our car was about to die. Not good. It was worse when we came out of the Middle School - still not having voted. We decided to drive a few blocks to a mechanic's shop that was practically on our way. It made the noise all the way up until about a block away. We pulled in, parked, and Tom went inside. He waited in line then told the mechanic at the counter the problem. They both came out to inspect the car. Of course he didn't see anything wrong, nor was the car making the sound as we drove circles in the parking lot. "Maybe you had a rock stuck up in there," the mechanic said. We thanked him for his trouble and started to leave. But not before our car made a few more terrible noises out of the parking lot. We drove home, arguing with ourselves if we should go back because it was obviously not fixed, when it gave one last terrible nails-on-the-chalkboard kind of noise followed by a pop of some kind. It made us pull over immediately. We worried maybe something fell off of our car, so we circled back, scanning the road. Nothing. Literally, nothing. The noise was gone just as quickly as it appeared. We still have no idea what it was.
5.) When your precinct is on a college campus, it should be obvious that students will also be included.
Well, it wasn't to us. In fact, it didn't even cross our minds. Weird. We drove up to campus and luckily found a great parking spot. But then Tom realized he was wearing shorts. That, my friends, is against the BYUI Honor Code and is not allowed on campus. So, we started the car, and drove home. While we were there, we decided that we were quite famished so we ate some dinner, then drove back. By this time, a lot of students were home and the parking was even more limited. But we found a spot and headed over to the correct building to vote in. This building, though the correct one, was devoid of any voting signs, making locating the correct place difficult. Eventually, we found the place - upstairs in the Little Theater. We climbed the last flight of stairs to find... a TON of students. What else? The line was ridiculously long. But how long could it take to vote? We figured it would go by quick...
6.) Students that live on campus all have to register to vote, hence the long lines.
Tom and I also had to register to vote because it was our first time voting since moving to Rexburg. So we joined the tremendously long line of fellow voters and waited..... and waited..... and waited....
We overheard some other students say they had been in line for over 2 hours already. 2 hours.
Tom and I finally arrived at the correct place to vote about 7:30 in the evening. We didn't get home until 9:40. And how long did it take us to vote? 2, maybe 3 minutes? (Okay, it probably took me longer because I have a need to read every word on the ballot. Every one.) Needless to say, it felt like a waste of time.
7.) BUT! Voting is not a waste of time!
We are so blessed to live in America where we have the right to vote, to have a say in what takes place in our government. And I am ever so grateful for that! Even if it is a complete hassle.
So remember, know your stuff when you vote! Don't do it like the Chambers! We know next time, we won't!
