November 2, 2004

Today I voted in my fourth presidential election. I remember thinking that the 2000 election was a big deal but Lord knows that this one already makes that contentious mess seem almost friendly.

The polls this morning did not inspire confidence about the way this ballot count is going to go down. It was a cluster fuck to say the very least. The confusion of the line tenders and table minders played havoc on the crankiness of the crowd, which was already lined well down the sidewalk when we got there at 6:15. I’d describe the atmosphere of that middle school gymnasium as tense.

We made it in and out in about an hour and a half.

Lots of people have asked what it’s like to live in a swing state. Is it exciting? Maybe it would be if I weren’t so cynical. Is it dangerous? Maybe it would be if I were a bigger loud-mouth than I am (shocking, I know, but I’m pretty passive about this stuff in my old age-heh).

There has been a great deal of campaigning, lots of signage, people on street corners, etc., just like everywhere else I’ve lived. The thing that’s palpable is the hostility vibe. It is a very divided population and activists on both sides of the issues have drawn a hard line in the cement. And I feel bad for the folks closest to that line. My decision is easy. Never mind the war, the economy, healthcare, etc., I’m gay. There’s no way I was going to vote for George W. Bush. And before anybody tells me that they’re gay and voted for that man, let me tell you you’re a moron right now and get that over with. Come fight with me about that.

All I can do now is wait and see with everyone else. Tomorrow we could have a new president. Or, we could have an incredibly confusing and nerve-wracking recount going on all over the country. Either way, it didn’t feel all that good to vote today. I think that whatever happens next, the fact that voting this year was depressing bothers me almost as much as four more years of Dubya.