Angry
.
I've been angry all day, and I didn't know why. After listening to a crapload of political news, I understand my anger now.
I DON'T TRUST THAT OUR VOTES WILL BE COUNTED.

And I hate that.

On my 18th birthday, I registered to vote. I have voted in every election except one since then. (I just forgot to vote that day) I have been voting for 19 years. Every time, I hope that what I favor passes and who I choose wins -but if they don't, they don't. The people have spoken. I had faith in the system; if not in the intellect of the masses.

But then the Florida recount of the presidential votes was disrupted by right wing rioting religious groups. Remember. It wasn't that long ago. They blocked the doorways, clogged the halls, and eventually broke down the doors in one recount office. The entire office had to move to a secure location. JUST TO COUNT OUR VOTES.

As a result, not all the votes were counted in time; and Bush became President.

4 years later - votes were lost, added, subtracted, or changed. Not just in a few districts in Ohio. There were problems across the country. Our government did nothing. And Bush remained President. And this isn't about the President. There have been voting problems everywhere there has been a tight race over *anything*. People have been turned away from the polls, experienced excessively long lines, or suffered ballot mis-management for local elections and mid-terms too.

My mom, who is a Republican election judge, had an incident where no one was coming in to vote during one of those small elections. She went outside and saw that the Fire Department had blocked off the entrance to the polling place, and an officer was directing people away. (Admittedly, the police officer thought the polling place had been closed. He really wasn't trying to cause problems. But if it can happen over a misunderstanding, think what could be done on purpose!) My mother dutifully reported the incident, cleared up the misunderstanding, and got the officer to tell people the polling place was still open and safe. To his credit, the cop stuck around for hours, making sure people knew they could vote.

My mom lives in a politically mixed neighborhood. She has taken to marking the boundaries of the polling "no pester zone" with chalk, and the judges take turns standing outside to keep voters from feeling intimidated. I find that necessity outrageous.

And I feel threatened and defensive. I don't expect any problems voting tomorrow at my particular polling place; and I'm terrified about what might happen at some of the other places. Every vote should count. Every voter should feel secure while entering or exiting the polls. Every voter should be able to have faith that their elections are secure. Are they?