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Sometimes the exercise to vote takes a bit of work

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A trail of campaign signs guides the way to the entrance while sounds of last minute reminders of the better candidate ring through the air. There is something magical about voting on Election Day, which is probably why I avoided early voting.  Excitement builds as I walk into the school gym and make my way to the check-in table. Frustration and disenchantment with politics forgotten.

            “Name?”
            “Mandie Robertson-Victor.” I see her flip to the R’s and realize my name is not there. “Maybe it is under Mandie Victor,” I suggested hopefully. I know I was registered. I did it when I got my North Carolina driver’s license.
            “No. There is nothing here.”
            My heart sank. I needed to vote. It was my right. A right that women fought for all those years ago. A right that so many died for. A right that gave me the ability to show my patriotism.
            “You can go over to the HELP table. They have the computers over there. Maybe they can help you out.”

The lady at the HELP table started by keying my name into the computer. Nothing. “Address?” Nothing. “Birth date?” Still nothing. “Are you registered?” I told her the story of how when I got my NC license, they asked if I wanted to register to vote. Of course, I did. Later, when going for my motorcycle license, I was asked again. I told them I should already be registered. When registering my new car, I was asked again. Each time, I told them I was already registered. No one disagreed. Why wasn’t my name in the system?

You have got to be kidding me! I have voted in every Presidential election since I was old enough to vote. Frustration, anger, and regret filled me. I should have checked.

            “You could vote a Provisional ticket. You just need to fill out this form. I need to write a narrative and explain why your vote should count. Your vote will be held aside until November 16th when the reason will be looked at and determined whether or not it counts.”
            “I’ll do it!”
           
            Hope restored, I began filling out the paperwork when it dawned on me, when I got my license, I was in Johnston County. I have since moved to Wake County. I changed my address on my license, wouldn’t that automatically change it on my voter registration? Apparently not.
 
I got my ballot and went to the voting booth special for Provisional ballots. The high of voting gone after being crushed by possibility of not voting, a mix of emotions took over. Proud to be exercising my right to vote. Relief to be getting the opportunity to fill out the ballot. Thankful that the ladies at the HELP table did not send me away. Apprehension about the possibility of my vote not counting.

I folded up my ballot and put it in the special envelope wondering if my vote would end up in a shredder somewhere or have a say in our choice for the next President of the United States.

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