Westhaven, California is a small unincorporated rural area 300 miles north of San Francisco. It is a very liberal community. Bernie won Westhaven. So did Jesse Jackson. I’ve been voting at the Westhaven Fire Hall for the past 24 years.
This year’s election in Westhaven has got to be about the most boring and uneventful in recent memory. No drama about Governor, Senator, House Rep, Statehouse reps. All are Democrats with token opposition. The County Supervisor’s race was decided during the June primary. The most contentious issue on the ballot today is an initiative to repeal California’s gas tax increase. (I voted No.)
And yet, I showed up at the Westhaven Fire Hall this morning to something unprecedented: I had to wait in line to vote. Bizarre to see every voting booth occupied. People are engaged to an extent I haven’t seen since 2006, when opposition to the Iraq war and six years of Bush was driving engagement. A small sign, I admit.
But it is good news.