Monday, November 3, 2008

Early Voting: The Secret to Staying Sane

That's right! I have already done my civic duty and voted in this year's Presidential election. So I won't be facing any of those election day lines at the polls, Wahoo!

I remember voting in the last Presidential election... I think I waited in line for almost two hours! Since then I have given birth to two little boys and I had no desire to make them stand in line with me for hours. What a nightmare that would be!

So when I heard that there was early voting in my area, I knew that I needed to go and get it done. Honey Daddy had checked at the University (where he works) for me and said that the lines weren't too long. So last Wednesday my friend Melinda and I piled into her van (I gotta get me one of those!) and headed to our local University.

Jonah loves riding around in the van with Melinda's girls. They have a great time in the back and this particular day he decided to sport some very lovely sunglasses he found in the van. What a cool dude.

The voting is THIS way!

We got to the University just after the voting started, and the line wasn't too bad at all. Things were moving fairly quickly and the kids found some interesting things to look at and play with while we were waiting. They were basically providing entertainment for all the other adults waiting in line (right?).

Only cool kids can sit here!

We got in and out of there within a half hour, with our kids in tow... which is incredible! I am definitely glad that we went and voted early as opposed to waiting until tomorrow. I could have traded off with my husband or got a sitter, but that all seems like more of a hassle.

The kids did SO great waiting in line with us. When it was my turn to vote I showed Jonah what I was doing, and he watched with interest as I made my choices. Eli was basically just hanging out in his car seat. The kids were well-behaved and they even got rewarded with an "I Voted" sticker from the election officials. What a bunch of cuties!


After we finished voting we stopped at Krispy Kremes to get donuts. The kids had earned them, and Melinda and I figured we deserved them too (not to mention the fact that the Hot Donuts sign was on... how can you resist?!) The kids had a great time seeing how donuts are made.

And pretty much just goofing off while eating delicious donuts!

I am happy to report that my voting experience was great this year! Actually, it was better than last time, which is saying something since last time I was childless. Hopefully you have a similar voting experience!

Be sure that you go out and vote! Oh, and feel free to go get yourself a donut afterward as well.

26 comments:

  1. Good for you. I wish there was early voting here. I am NOT looking forward to the lines either!

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  2. Way to go! Love the pictures :)

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  3. I'm so impressed you brought your kids with you to the polls--that was brave. I love early voting!

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  4. Got to love early voting! I voted last week.

    It hard for me to stay out of the KK shop. I can't resist when the big orange HOT sign is lit! Glad I really only drive by one when I have to take my car to be serviced.

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  5. I will be prepared for the lines. Coffee and book in hand. :)

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  6. Honey Mommy....that is so adorable!!! Just like your family!!

    You're doing great Mom!

    Jeannie

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  7. I so meant to early vote, but I didn't so here we go with the lines!!

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  8. Krispy Kreme? Offers post-voting freebies? I didn't know about that one (I knew about Starbucks and Ben & Jerry's though!). I voted 2 weeks ago with our fabulous vote by mail system here. ;)

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  9. That's awesome! Great example to your kids to seeing you do your civic duty! I will be one of those standing in the long lines tomorrow, but I can't wait to cast my ballot! And like Scargosun, I will have my book and knitting on hand and my Mormon coffee (diet Coke) ;0)

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  10. Ohhhhh....Krispy Kremes! I wish we had one out here! Closest one is across the water in Seattle...sigh. Even I can't justify driving over an hour and a half or paying for the ferry just to land some doughnuts...no matter how bloody fantastic they are!

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  11. oh man, I'm going to have to wait in line forever tomorrow. :(

    cute photos!!

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  12. WAy to vote early and bring your kids! WOW!!

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  13. Oh, what cute pictures! And I also voted early! Here in Virginia, for the first time EVER, we're a "toss up state" so even voting absentee last week the wait was 3 hours long! Wow! It's so much fun when you feel your state & vote matter! That being said, I can't imagine what my hubby will be waiting in tomorrow! Ugh!

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  14. I so wish I had done the early voting thing! You have to get a van, and I have to get some hot doughnuts! ha :) The kids look adorable!

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  15. I voted 2 weeks ago...gotta love it!

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  16. Thanks for sharing your voting experience. I think it's great to take kids with you. It's good for them to learn early!

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  17. I voted 2wks ago and I'm glad I did. The lines are CRAZY!

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  18. that is really cool, I wish that they had early voting here. Next year, I will check it out.
    Wish us luck as we are going to take all the kids to vote. I know, we are totally crazy. But maybe there will be some good blog fodder.

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  19. Head on over here: http://kreutzerfamilyblog.blogspot.com/
    and welcome my cousin's wife to the bloggy world!

    And how I WISH I could get Krispy Kremes after I vote tomorrow!

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  20. Kudos to you and the well behaved lil ones.

    I agree with you. The end was to 'nice' and well it didn't really close the series. It doesn't leave you hanging or anything but defiantly thinking of ideas of how to continue the story. At least those are my thoughts.

    Glad to see you had a fabulous halloween with a great 'story'. The kids look awesome.

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  21. You made it a really fun time! I am all for early voting!

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  22. You are so lucky you got to vote early! I'm dreading tomorrow I just know it's going to be mobbed!

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  23. Early voting rocks, definitely the key to staying sane!

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  24. I had no idea this even existed! Good to know. Love the pix of your kids at the polls - patriotic!

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  25. I voted by mail, and it was most convenient!

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