I volunteered to pick up the completed absentee ballots from the teachers
at my school and ferry them to the US Consulate in Shanghai for free
first class postage delivery to their respective registrar of voters.
I've registered voters in Asia for Democrats Abroad before, but holding the
ballots, counting the states and numbers (5 for Michigan, 4 for Virginia, ...)
gave me a heady feeling as I dodged the Chinese masses on the Subway,
running to my transfer at People's Square, trying to reach the door by
5pm before the office closed. I had to knock on the glass to get the guard's
attention and he seemed skeptical, but I explained that the US citizens
services had promised to take them if I arrived before 5 pm. He disappeared
into the bowels of the office for an ever so long interval while I watched
through the bulletproof glass. Finally the official came out, the same
smiling functionary in glasses who had come to give a briefing at our
school a few weeks ago. He took the parcel through the slot and confirmed
that they would arrive by/around October 24. Now all they have to do is
count them. I know in my gut which candidate 95% of them are for.
You'll hear us whooping in victory on Nov.5 from across the Pacific, it will
be that loud.