The vibe in Derry NH at the Polling Place this morning

[BigMcLargehuge]

Just got back from West Running Brook middle school. Today I took Ian McLargehuge (5) to the polls with me. Only about a half dozen campaign workers/sign holders lined the gauntlet to the school entrance. Derry, and possibly all of NH, is using a new verification system based on address first then name. I didn't have a chance to ask that if someone had changed address during the year would it prevent that person from voting? I taught Ian about the two houses of congress and what voting for a representative meant (Senators will be in 2008), what a representative does, and what ballot questions are. Then we headed into the booth and filled in:

STRAIGHT TICKET DEM!

We handed our ballot to the guy at the counting machines and went out to talk to the exit poller.

Ian was smiling the whole time, and so was I.

Anyone else vote in NH? The mood of the voters was cheerful, as was the that of the election workers, an unsung crowd of 70-somethings who keep Derry's elections running like clockwork. Whenever I vote I want to bring them flowers.

[livetohike]

1. Nice story BigMcLarghuge and

good for you letting the little guy participate :-).

I'm sure those poll workers would appreciate the flowers or something to eat. They put in really long hours (been there and done that).

[BigMcLargehuge]

2. I've been there five minutes after the polls open

and five minutes before they close, and the ladies behind the table are always friendly, smiling, and welcoming.

[rosesaylavee]

3. Good for you!

Involving children early in the process makes them want to be involved when they get old enough... or so I think. I did the same with my guy when he was in grade school - he gets to vote in 2008 for the first time and he's chomping at the bit to do so.

[KharmaTrain]

4. The Years Pass Quickly...

I remember taking my young son with me to vote...also his sister. Today he's 19 and voting in his first general election and, I'm proud to say, will join his mom, myself and his sister in voting a straight Democratic ticket! I still remembering going with my parents as a kid and now watching a new generation ready to have their voice heard.

Here's hoping there's a surprise from New Hampshire tonight...a little Sorry, Charlie would go nicely.

[BigMcLargehuge]

5. I've got my fingers crossed for Carol Shea Porter

Charlie Bass is an ignoramus toadie.

[VelmaD]

6. What a wondering way...

to introduce the little one to the process. I remember my parents taking me to vote. My favorite memory is helping my dad read the ballot as I got older (he has really bad eyesight). By the time my 18th birthday rolled around, just before the 1988 election, I was WAY beyond ready to cast my vote.

And you're right about the poll workers. The ones at my polling location are wonderful. In 2004 I spent all of election day outside in the cold reminding voters how to vote for a Democratic write-in candidate for Congress and the poll workers took good care of me. Made sure I ate and came inside to warm up from time to time.