Precinct 18 Polling Place. Longfellow School, Iowa City, Iowa. November 6, 2012. 7:20 a.m.
At 7 a.m., a well organized and spirited group of poll workers greeted the half-dozen or so voters lined up to vote early on Election Day. The process went smoothly. Iowans are not required to show a photo i.d. but there is a careful two step sign-in procedure.
The ballot is clear, and by California and Florida standards, short. From start to finish the entire exercise in American democracy took about ten minutes.
Like President Obama’s final campaign speech last night in Des Moines, I lingered a bit, taking a few souvenir snapshots of the place and event, already missing this extraordinary year focusing on the U.S. Presidential Election process.
I am mindful none the less that while voting is a critical part of the process, it is not the sole act of political engagement required of Americans. Whatever the outcome of this election, we need to hold our elected representatives accountable for their actions, and we need to encourage them to make bold moves to improve the lives of all in our nation.
