A small personal view of a massive local get out the vote: Images of voters on election day in Athens, Georgia, the home of Weaver D's Soul-Food Restaurant and R.E.M.
The phone number for a ride to the polls was handed out by door-to-door canvassers operating from both the Democratic Party Headquarters and the Obama Headquarters in Athens-Clarke County. Rides were coordinated by Chuck Murphy and several assistants at the Democratic Headquarters, directing about 60 or so drivers to transport about 254 voters to and from the polls during the several weeks of early voting and finally on election day. The county voted two to one for President Obama.
My first voters of the day, after I returned them home two hours after pickup. Both were first-time voters and damn proud of it.
Below is another driver and his two charges after they come out of the polling station. Both are first-time voters and damn proud of it.
While waiting for my voters to finish, I escorted this frail Gentle Lady to the front of the line. She insisted I mail her the photo as a momento of the day.
Companions discuss their answers to an interviewer (out of view) after voting.
At another polling station, more first-time voters and all of them damn proud of it.
My last ride was requested 45 minutes before the polls closed. I learned she had been trying since 8:30 am that morning to get a ride from neighbors and friends before she finally gave up and called the number on the card. We got there with 10 minutes to spare.
Although there were six other drivers waiting for calls, I was assigned that last one because it was on my way home in Oglethorpe County. So I missed the parties and learned the next morning that Oglethorpe County voted two to one for McCain. No matter; it was a thrilling day.
- Glenn