On election morning, the town’s turnout, at least in terms of “when the door opens” at 6:30 a.m., was impressive. Possibly the most I’ve ever seen on morning patrol here in Granville.
There was a man in his running outfit, shorts and sneakers; I saw women and men this morning dressed for business or court or something official, in ties or dresses and dark fabrics. I saw neighbors and fellow churchgoers and former clients; There were fellow Kiwanians across the table checking out voters, and college students and professors from up on the hill here in the church basement. There were a few in patriotic clothing, but of course nothing that was overtly partisan. Here in the village I’ve seen people I’ve known for over twenty years, people I’ve met recently and whose names I’ve been trying to remember in my mind, and quite a few complete strangers.
It was election day in the United States of America. The genius of our founders lies in the proposition that we are all created equal, and therefore our votes count equally. All of us – at least those who take the time to register and cast their vote.
For democracy to function, it requires a critical mass of voters who participate and register the outcomes as “the consent of the governed.” The system would fail if enough of us didn’t join in to support the hard work of government, which means raising taxes and spending public funds. These two issues are controversial enough, but we’re making it work thanks to the good faith of enough of us who voted; it works enough to make the citizenry at large feel that the actions of our Commonwealth are by common consent.
There are people who vote, whose involvement and understanding I wonder about. And reasons are given for making certain choices, which leaves me baffled as to why their perspective is relevant at all. I won’t lie: some ideas seem ignorant and uninformed to me. But the essence of democracy is that they can also vote, if they meet certain minimum criteria. The various pluralities, for elected officials and financial assessments and governance reviews of local charters or constitutions at the state level, will decide. The majority rules.
Regardless of which top candidate prevails, I have local work to do. Not because my preferred candidate won or lost, but more likely I will make the most of the outcomes of other voting matters that aren’t even on the local TV news, let alone cable. Certain issues that village residents vote on will affect me very personally, and nationally the results of issues like library taxes and senior funding will be matters with consequences that I will see up close and personal.
Therefore, I pray for blessings on all those whom I see this day going about their social activities, in sportswear or blue suits, with obvious partisan commitments, or those whose real sympathies I do not know and cannot even suspect. First of all, thanks to the pollsters, and many thanks to my fellow voters. May the blessing we have by participating and doing our part overflow from us for the good of our community as a whole.
Decisions are made on this day, but they are almost all decisions about what work to do the next day, and next year, and into the next few years. Take a deep breath, say a prayer as you please, and let’s look ahead – to holiday movies, to the Candlelight Walking Tour, to a new year approaching and to continue to serve together in addressing the needs around us .
Jeff Gill is a writer, storyteller and preacher in central Ohio; he has political views and a fundamental commitment to democracy. Tell him about anarchy or any other option you prefer at knapsack77@gmail.com, or follow @Knapsack77 on Threads.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Knapsack: Thank you to poll workers and fellow voters
