Member-only story
This is Literally The Least You Can Do (But It Means A Lot)
I feel like every few weeks I am surprised when I pass by the Bastrop County Courthouse on my way to my office at the bookstore.
First, I start seeing the little bunches of campaign signs.
Then I see the white “Early Voting” signs with their big red arrow.
Again?
Seriously, didn’t we just vote?
There was the primary and then the runoffs. Before that, there were some off-cycle ballot measures, city council, mayoral (and I think a runoff for that too?). I’ve lost count of how many there have been!
It can feel like there is an election on a quarterly basis.
And look, if I find it hard to find the time — someone with complete control over my schedule who works a block and a half away — I don’t know how other people do it.
But I always feel a little flutter in my chest when I walk into the basement of the courthouse and vote and see all the people. That’s what I felt two nights ago. I’d just landed after 24 hours of travel from Australia and snuck in to vote a few minutes before they closed for the night. Not just the people but also the volunteers taking the time to make the mechanisms of democracy work.
