A day at the polls
I had the privilege of serving as a poll worker at Carrier Lodge during our Ward 5 special election on Tuesday. It was a long day, 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., filled with many new experiences, some good, some not so good.
Having to use the old-fashioned paper ballot and hand counting them after the polls closed was very interesting because every voter got to see how we did it before the computer machines came about. There were no complaints, and many said it was easier than using the machines.
The turnout was very disappointing in that precinct where 200 out of 900 registered voters actually voted, but those who did come to vote gave me hope.
It made me proud to be among strong, determined American patriots who said by their actions, ” no matter what the majority of our ward does, I am going to do the right thing and go vote for the candidate I believe we need to strengthen our city council even though I might have to use a cane or crutches to walk into the voting place or even in a wheel chair.”
That’s the kind of citizen I admire and was proud to be in the midst of — the ones who chose to do the right thing.
No one has respect for those apathetic citizens who choose to stay home on election day.
The most impressive moment of my day at the polls was when Trudy Gildea, with some assistance from her son, came slowly walking into the room, signed in, picked up her ballot and proceeded to a voting booth. When asked why she didn’t vote absentee, she said her mother taught her to vote every time she possibly could.
Mrs. Gildea, you truly made my day and you have my deepest respect and admiration. You set an example our entire city, state and country should emulate.
There were other highly respectable women who came using canes and some younger ones, too, with physical problems that made their walking slow and difficult, but all of them showed an undaunted determination to vote or die trying.
Let me applaud the excellent example set by these few. Theirs is a path for the majority of our ward and city to follow.
Raymond Gross
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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