Why I vote

I vote because when my grandmother was born, her mother and grandmother, both college-educated women, could not vote.

I vote because my grandmother worked with the League of Women voters in the 30s, and voted in every single election she was eligible for over the 72 years she was a voter.

I vote because when my grandfather was legally blind, immobilized by Parkinsons, and sometimes suffering from demetia, my grandmother made sure he voted by absentee ballot. She knew how he wanted to vote, after 50 plus years of marriage, and even if he had been a bow-hunting libertarian (in contrast to her staunch Rossevelt democrat - which I assure you he was not) she would have made sure what he wanted was on the ballot.

Voting was a neighborly activity this morning, with babies and dogs and literally two of our neighbors working as polling volunteers. At 6:45 AM there were short lines, and we were in and out in 15 minutes. We use a magic marker on a paper ballot which is counted electronically. Interestingly to me, there is no proof of ID required if you are registered - you show up, tell them your name, they find you on the list, you confirm your address, sign your name, and get a ballot. We voted at the local arts magnet high school - there was a lost opportunity for student groups to fundraise with coffee and doughnut stands outside, but maybe there's a law against bake sales at the polls?

clarification

Two of our neighbors work as poll volunteers. No babies or dogs work as poll volunteers. At least in my precinct.