The national election is less than a week away. Some folks say it is the most significant election in history. That might be challenged by some of our Trinity View residents especially those few who were born before women even had the right to vote. The good news is that in 1971 North Carolina finally endorsed the 19th Amendment requiring women’s suffrage, 50years after it went into effect.
There’s a lot of interest here in the election. A quick check of the county voting records groups our residents in three roughly equal groups, 1) Democrats, 2) Republicans, and 3) the rest unaffiliated (which is a legal registration) or not registered. While I don’t know how many are voting, it seems that a large number have already. In-house Democratic and Republican partisans have helped absentee ballots to be submitted, and a group from the Board of Elections, the multipartisan assistance team (MAT), especially anointed to assist hospitals and residence homes in getting their ballots in, spent a day here. And, as always, those who haven’t voted can be transported to the polls on the day itself.
Just like everywhere, there is some sensitivity about discussing one’s political interests when a wide diversity exists in our Trinity View family, an occasional tiff, but generally civil. With the various isolation activity for Covid limiting interaction, some determined souls have kept out of trouble and possibly had their salvation extended. Election day will bring some respite.
Everyone should be proud to do their duty to their country and vote! People throughout the world are committed. In 2003 I was part of an international election observation mission in El Salvador, one of the most dangerous countries in the Western Hemisphere. When you voted there you had to press your index finger onto a black indelible ink pad. Two reasons, one was to be sure you couldn’t vote twice, and the second was for civic pride with a big smile as you showed your black finger to your friends and even strangers, celebrating your commitment to a better government.
