Today was my fourth election, and yet again, I've recieved a cold Kirkwood shoulder. Each time I've voted I've had similar run-ins with older, more conservative, poll officials, today was no different. In fact, by the time I finally pushed my ballot through the scanner I felt as if I had gone through a Customs check.
That's okay with me, after nearly a year protesting the war/bush/torture in one of St. Louis county's most conservative districts (birth place of Jim Talent, yet ironically home to Claire McCaskill), I've grown a thick skin from the insults, thrown food and accusations of treason...
What's the problem I faced? The poll worker didn't want me to vote on a paper ballot--no--he insisted that not only should I vote on the machines, that not doing so was "wasting our time."
Here's the story as both a former boss (working as an official) as well as I remember it.
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As I walked towards the table to recieve my ballot, the poll worker waved me over to a ES&S iVotronic machine, telling me to hurry up.
Here I was, fresh from experiencing the usual rough housing from some mild tempered elderly women, being told that regardless of my personal choice of voting methods, I was to vote electronically.
"Uh, I need a paper ballot, I'm not touching that machine," I remarked.
Almost instantly, the man's face went pale, and his faux-smile left quickly being replaced by a face that conveyed both confusion and blatant dissapproval.
"You can't--(pause)...You don't want to do that. Look, the machine will get your vote, it'll have a paper trail, and you can leave in a lot less time, so let's drop the James Dean routine and..(I kid you not) "get' r' done!"
The statement really didn't phase me, as I'd already made up my mind he could care less about my existence, and so, I too reciprocated the attitude.
"No, actually I'm quite positive I do want to vote paper. I don't trust those machines, nor do I think its legal for you to tell me or any voter how they should or should not cast their votes. I too have served as a poll worker, and unless rules have changed since last november, your role is to help voters, not to dictate their choices. So really, let me get a ballot."
Oh boy. I let my guard down, letting my emotions interfere with my reasoning process--now, technically I'm on the same level as the idiot who wants to dictate my voting method!
Idiot: "Son, I think you need to vote the machine."
Me: "No, give me a ballot"
Idiot: "Kid...they're both electronic, it doesn't matter."
Me: "Yet the state of California has decertified the machines, Colorodo has.."
Idiot: "Well big deal, I didn't hear Missouri on your list so let's just get done son."
Me: "You know, I could have voted and left by now if you'd of let me just vote my way."
Idiot: "You want a paper? Fine. You kids always have to be different."
Me: "No, I just want to have my vote present, if a recount should be needed."
Idiot: "Yeah, yeah whatever..."
He then walked away, but reappeared over my shoulder whence I was finishing up with my ballot, and let out a huge sigh. I don't dispute this sigh was critical of me, nor do I really care, the guy is a bum, and his actions are inexcusable and worth taking note of.
This is yet another landmark event in my political life.
What else would motivate me to continue my protests, and my opposition to people like him?